Arlington County Takes Aim at Domestic Violence

Another priority is enhanced response from the judicial system, including more resources for affordable legal representation.

Putting in place the infrastructure is regarded as key to launching a successful community-wide system of care. To that end, the report recommends such steps as providing better training for service providers; securing new federal, state and private funding; and establishing performance indicators.

The plan also aims to enhance services for underserved populations, including greater outreach to the county's multicultural community. Doorways for Women and Families reported that 39 percent of victims it dealt with last year had limited English skills.

The program will provide help to victims regardless of immigration status, sex or sexual orientation. The report advocates developing "unified, culturally sensitive, multilingual materials" to describe available local resources.

"Our main goal is to raise awareness and show a welcoming face," Favola said. "It's hard for people sometimes from another country or culture to trust the government, to trust the police, to feel comfortable calling, especially if they don't have their papers, but we are making a real effort.

"We want everybody to be safe in Arlington. We are going to address a problem that comes up, period," she said. "If somebody's a victim, we're going to try to help them, not ask for their papers."

The effects of domestic violence are far-reaching and transcend culture and class, the report states. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline, violence against women costs companies $72 million annually because of lost productivity, and 74 percent of employed battered women were harassed by their partner while at work. Victims can incur financial costs from seeking legal help, develop mental disorders, face homelessness in escaping dangerous situations and risk serious or fatal injury.

Favola said efforts in the program's first year will focus on changing the way the county does business. Implementation includes setting up protocols and focus groups and determining strengths and weaknesses in the plan, Cuffee said. The task force will explore housing opportunities for those displaced by domestic violence. The greater goal of the initiative is to provide better services to everyone affected, not just the victim.

"Everybody recognizes that this is the beginning," Cuffee said.