Domestic Violence Emergency Response Teams for Zero Tolerance (DVERT/ZT)

An Effective Practice

Description

Domestic Violence Emergency Response Teams for Zero Tolerance work with the Santa Barbara Police Department and Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department to provide counseling and follow-up advocacy services for victims of all reported domestic violence crimes. The program also works with community-based partners to conduct education and awareness activities designed to transform personal, community/neighborhood, institutional, and governmental attitudes so that domestic violence will not be tolerated.

Goal / Mission

The program works to counsel and assist domestic violence victims by providing them with information about available resources and services, as well as their legal and other options. They also offer medical assistance and emergency shelter, including transportation to the shelter. Through legal advocacy and education, DVERT teams work to reduce domestic violence in Santa Barbara County.

Results / Accomplishments

Five bilingual advocates are paid to be on call for 20, 24-hour shifts per week. In one year alone they responded to 900 arrests for domestic assault in Santa Barbara County.

About this Promising Practice

Organization(s)
Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County
Primary Contact
Brenda Acosta
P. O. Box 1536
Santa Barbara, CA 93102
(805) 963-4458, ext. 16
http://www.dvsolutions.org/
Topics
Community / Domestic Violence & Abuse
Health / Women's Health
Organization(s)
Domestic Violence Solutions of Santa Barbara County
Source
Violence Against Women Online Resources
Date of publication
2003
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Santa Barbara County, CA
For more details
Target Audience
Families