Divisions | Family Services Division | Domestic Violence Unit
Domestic Violence Unit
Contact Person: Sergeant Joanne Schaller
(203) 946-6993
The Department of Police Service is committed to reducing the incidences of domestic violence in New Haven. Its Domestic Violence Unit seeks to increase arrests associated with domestic violence to protect women and their children from further abuse and to discourage repeat offenders.
The Department of Police Services is the lead agency in the Domestic Violence Intervention Project. Through this project, the Domestic Violence Unit collaborates with the following agencies:
- Yale Child Study Center
- The Coordinating Council for Children in Crisis
- Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven
- State's Attorney's Office
The goals of this project are to:
- Reduce the incidence of domestic violence
- Reduce repetitive and escalating episodes of violence
- Improve the safety net for victims of domestic violence
- Increase offender accountability
Facts About Domestic Violence
- If you are a victim of domestic violence, you are not alone. It is estimated that a woman is physically abused every 9 seconds in the United States.
- Domestic violence occurs in families of all races, religions, economic and social backgrounds.
- Domestic violence is the single major cause of injury to women in this country.
- Three to four million American women are battered every year.
- Battering often starts, or becomes worse, during pregnancy.
- Once violence begins, it tends to increase over time and become more severe.
- Two-thirds of men who are violent towards their partners commit acts of violence towards their children.
- Children who witness violence are at a higher risk for becoming the next generation of victims and abusers, experimentation with drugs and alcohol, running away as teenagers and exhibiting school performance problems.
Are you a victim of domestic violence?
You are if you have ever been:
- Hit, choked, kicked, pushed or shoved by your partner;
- Threatened or hurt with a weapon;
- Called names, told what you could or could not do;
- Forced to have sex against your will;
- Not allowed to work or share money;
- Had your car keys or money taken away.
If you are a victim of domestic violence, it is NOT your fault.
- No one deserves to be beaten or emotionally abused.
- Battering is against the law.
- Battering is rarely a one-time incident - your risks for severe injury increase each time.
The detectives in the Domestic Violence Unit have been trained in the dynamics of domestic violence. They understand that for many women, fear of the consequences, or love for the abuser, make them afraid of calling the police to report an episode of domestic violence. The detectives are available to talk with you about what you can expect to happen in the police/legal system if you decide to report such an episode. You can call the Domestic Violence Unit at 946-6290 and ask to speak with a detective.
