Over 100 law enforcement officers and allied professionals from Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo Counties recently came together to attend domestic violence and risk assessment training sessions in Damariscotta and Rockport.

The District Six Chiefs of Police Association sponsored the comprehensive day-long sessions while New Hope for Women assisted in coordinating the training, and co-facilitated several of the training modules. The sessions provided an opportunity to learn about the challenges experienced by officers when dealing with domestic violence situations while promoting collaborative partnerships between law enforcement and allied professionals.

Attendees learned how to identify the predominant domestic violence aggressor and conduct follow up interviews with the victim, to provide prosecutors with injury and crime scene photographs which can aid in case presentation, and to recognize their responsibility and authority when serving and enforcing Protection from Abuse orders.

The officers were also trained and certified to administer the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA) which will be used by all Maine law enforcement officials responding to domestic violence complaints starting in January, 2015.

New Hope for Women offers support to people in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties affected by domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. It also provides important educational resources to assist our communities in creating a safer and healthier future.

In 2013, New Hope for Women provided over 3300 hours of direct service to 1138 advocacy clients, and over 4100 hours of community and youth outreach including violence prevention and response programming to 10,704 participants. Volunteers on our 24-hour crisis hotline provided over 3200 hours of hotline coverage.

Additionally, NHFW provided 11 safe home nights to eight individuals, and another 796 nights to six individuals in collaboration with the Shelter-Without-Walls program of the Knox County Homeless Coalition.

Learn more about New Hope for Women at www.newhopeforwomen.org or call 800-522-3304.