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S.A.F.E.T.Y.

The Cookeville S.A.F.E.T.Y. program is a long-term prevention prospectus created to break the cycle of domestic violence. The program, which has been in existence from late 1999, is self-sufficient in that the Cookeville Police Department has committed a full-time Family Protection Unit Coordinator to facilitate the program. The program is, however, administered through a partnership between the Cookeville Police Department, the Thirteenth Judicial District State prosecutors, PSI probation services, Putnam County Judiciary, Putnam County departments of probation and parole, Genesis House Shelter, Putnam County Board of Education and schools, Department of Children's Services, mental health providers, juvenile court, business organizations, non-profit family intervention services, and community volunteers.

The program is designed to offer the broadest spectrum of assistance, through an integrated team of multi-agency partners, to children who witness or who are victims of domestic violence. These children are at great risk of becoming abusive, violent or victims themselves. The home environment where domestic violence occurs becomes the "training ground" teaching children how to become batterers or victims. Without intervention, many of these children will continue this cycle of violence from one generation to the next.

The Cookeville Police Department surveyed its response to the needs of children who were witnessing domestic violence. As in many other communities, the department learned that although adult offender and adult victim needs were being addressed, children were being overlooked with little or no intervention. In an effort to respond to those needs S.A.F.E.T.Y. was created. Advancing the concept that early intervention, treatment, and education would Stop Abusers From Educating Their Young (S.A.F.E.T.Y.).

Licensed Clinical Psychologists, Licensed Clinical Social Workers, and school counselors volunteer time to evaluate and counsel identified children. The program works as follows: 1) Front line police officers identify children present in homes where domestic violence occurs. 2) The information is conveyed to the Family Protection Unit Coordinator at the Cookeville Police Department. 3) The coordinator networks with prosecutors, parents, and the judiciary to place the children in the S.A.F.E.T.Y. program. 4) The child is then evaluated by one of eight volunteer psychologists or social workers. They assess the impact of the domestic violence on the child or children in the home. The mental health professionals develop an appropriate program of counseling. 5) The information is relayed to the child's school counselor who implements the program over several sessions. The results of the sessions are forwarded to the coordinator and shared with the prosecutor and judiciary. Follow-ups are conducted with the child to monitor progress.

This process is supported mainly by volunteers and creates little if any financial burden on the family. Also incorporated into this program are public education projects to help raise community awareness. Domestic violence is a complex crime that requires a long-term commitment to measure progress. By restructuring the response and facilitating a coordinated effort, S.A.F.E.T.Y. will reduce the effects of domestic violence in the community. The goal is to break the cycle of domestic violence by intervening early and by giving alternative choices to children who are at risk.