In the United States, one in four women aged 18 and older have suffered severe physical violence from an intimate partner. Every month, an average of more than 70 women lose their lives to intimate partner. Every day, victims of domestic violence face the threat of escalating harm—sometimes with fatal consequences. The YWCA’s Domestic Violence High Risk Teams directly address and prevent these tragedies.

The YWCA is committed to reducing violence against women and girls. To learn more about this crucial work, we sat down with Tara Huard, Director of Domestic Violence Services, to paint a clearer image of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence (DV) High Risk Teams.

“Our DV High Risk Teams works to increase safety for victims and hold those who use violence accountable, with the goal of preventing serious harm or homicide.” Research shows that many domestic violence-related homicides are both predictable and preventable.

The team focuses on four core components:

• Early identification of the most dangerous cases through risk assessment
• Enhanced access to supportive services for victims
• Increased monitoring and accountability for offenders
• Coordinated response through a multidisciplinary team approach.

Altogether, these strategies not only save lives but also strengthen community collaboration.

Our DV High Risk Teams improve safety for survivors by ensuring faster, more coordinated responses to high-risk situations. They increase access to vital resources for victims while developing immediate, individualized intervention plans that prioritize survivor safety and offender accountability. “Advocates can connect survivors directly with detectives on the team, which often reduces the stress and confusion that can come with reporting through traditional response systems.” The collaborative nature of working with the DV High Risk Teams can help build a greater sense of trust and safety, allowing them to feel more confident throughout the process.

This kind of coordination did not always exist. Before the team started, agencies often worked separately. As a result, critical information was lost, victims’ needs were left unmet, and offenders walked away without consequence. Since the DV High Risk Teams began, agencies have come together, sharing information and facilitating a more collaborative response procedure. This has ensured that survivors are receiving timely and efficient support.

Huard also serves on a subcommittee of the Governor’s Council for Addressing Domestic and Sexual Violence. They were recently updating the 2017 Domestic Violence Law Enforcement Guidelines when Huard noticed that the definition of strangulation did not align with the federal definition. She brought this issue to the attention of Senator Robyn Kennedy who then presented Bill S.1145, An Act Relative to the Definition of Strangulation. Huard shared that her work as part of the YWCA’s DV High Risk Teams greatly informs her advocacy because it provides her with direct insight into the most dangerous patterns of domestic violence, including strangulation, which is often a predictor of lethality. She said, “This experience underscores how the team’s work can influence policy and systemic change to better protect survivors.”

Huard also noted, “The previous law created ambiguity in how officers, district attorneys, and judges responded to these cases, leaving survivor safety dependent on individual interpretation. By clarifying the law, we aim to ensure that strangulation is treated with the seriousness it deserves, hold offenders appropriately accountable, and provide a stronger legal framework to protect survivors.”

Join the YWCA in supporting survivors by believing them and showing compassion. Avoid judgement or giving simplistic advice like, “Just leave.” It is important to shift the narrative. Focus on holding those who use violence accountable and creating a culture that prioritizes safety, support, and prevention.

 

Support the Domestic Violence Services at the YWCA by donating through https://ywcacm.org/donate/.

If you or someone you know needs help, reach our 24-hour helpline at 508-755-9030 or our 24-hour chatline at ywcahelp.com.