Rockland Unveils New Effort To Curb Domestic Violence

CLARKSTOWN, N.Y. -- District Attorney Thomas Zugibe, joined by Rockland County Executive Ed Day, State Sen. William Larkin and Haverstraw Town Supervisor Howard T. Phillips Jr., highlighted the extraordinary success of a unique domestic violence victim assistance pilot program in Haverstraw and Stony Point.

A new program aimed at curbing domestic violence has been a success according to state and local officials. They hope to expand the program if additional funding can be secured.
Photo Credit: *Dockland County Government/Facebook*

K Reakes

10/14/2015 7:30 p.m.

Designed to ensure victims ongoing support and a meaningful role in the criminal justice system, according them due dignity and respect, the program launched in May 2014.

Made possible through a $75,000 grant secured by Larkin, whose district includes Stony Point and Haverstraw, the state funding allowed the District Attorney's Office Special Victims Unit to hire veteran Town of Haverstraw Police Detective Eleuterio Collazo to lead the program.

Collazo has been given two main responsibilities: Victim outreach and evidence-based prosecution, which includes case review and the training of local law enforcement in best practices of evidence-based (or victimless) prosecution.

The encouraging results of the program have prompted Zugibe and Day to seek additional state funding to enhance and expand services for victims of domestic violence throughout Rockland County.

To learn more, visit RocklandGov.com.

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