Domestic Violence Response Team

The Domestic Violence Response Team includes three domestic violence advocates who work with and are stationed at the Fresno Police Department and two advocates stationed at the Fresno Sheriff's Office. There are also a number of dedicated shelter staff and volunteers who answer hotline calls, respond to hospital calls and/or do police "ride-a-longs" on weekends.

The purpose of domestic violence response teams is to be able to do crisis intervention with a victim of domestic violence as soon as the victim seeks assistance. A victim may seek help from law enforcement, a hospital emergency room, a social service agency, a private physician or the public school in their neighborhood. Safety is our number one priority for the victim as well as the advocate who responds. Therefore, when a request for a DVRT member to respond comes to the hotline, the situation is assessed and important information (such as the victim's location, law enforcement notification, medical needs/injuries, location of the perpetrator, etc) is gathered.

When an advocate meets with the victim several things can be accomplished. Crisis intervention is a short-term service to provide information, support and advocacy, and to assess client needs. After the client's needs have been determined, then the advocate can offer appropriate options and information and assist in developing a client-specific safety plan. In addition, once the client has made a decision about what avenues to pursue, the advocate is supportive of the client's choices, regardless of whether the advocate agrees with them. The advocate's support is one method of empowering a victim with self-confidence and the authority to act on their own behalf. Statistics show that when a victim has contact with an advocate immediately or soon after an incidence of violence, the victim is more likely to assist law enforcement with prosecuting the perpetrator.

If you are committed to serving the needs of Fresno County's women and children who are victims of domestic violence, please contact Katie Crask at 237-4705, for further information. All members of the response teams are required to complete MMC's 40 hour domestic violence training.