County receives $750,000 to monitor those charged in domestic violence cases

Washington County is getting a leg up on increasing safety for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

The county has been awarded a $750,000 federal grant that will improve the county’s pretrial release program by providing funding to monitor those who are awaiting trial but aren’t in custody in domestic violence cases. In addition, it will pay to integrate a risk-assessment tool into that monitoring system to determine the appropriate level of monitoring needed for the person being charged.

The grant comes from the United States Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women.

“The three-year grant will serve to improve services and increase safety for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Washington County while the charged offenders of these crimes are out of custody awaiting trial,” said a news release issued by the Washington County District Attorney’s Office. “As a result of recent legislation, most defendants charged with these crimes are released into the community with legal restrictions that prohibit contact with the listed victims. Washington County currently lacks the systems to provide assurance to victims that violent offenders are subject to live electronic monitoring 24 hours a day by trained professionals.”

The grant funds an electronic monitoring system for alleged offenders as well as integrating the risk assessment tool for each case of domestic violence with all of Washington County’s 12 law enforcement agencies involved. In addition, the grant will fund development of a training program on domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Officials applied for this grant after forming a workgroup in response to a Nov. 22, 2022, double murder and suicide that occurred on Southwest Scholls Ferry Road in unincorporated Washington County.

That group identified flaws in the pre-trial release program , and Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton called on the county’s circuit court to make needed changes, which the grant will address. In 2023, the family of one of the victims filed a lawsuit alleging the crime could have been prevented with proper GPS tracking.

“This grant provides critical funding to help keep victims and the community safe,” Barton said in a statement. “Ensuring defendants are appropriately assessed and monitored if released from jail is absolutely essential.”

Washington County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Rebecca Guptill aided in the grant application process and said she was pleased the court now has the necessary resources to address problem areas.

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office will provide a project coordinator to implement needed changes and Sheriff Caprice Massey said the funding will help “implement vital safety measures,” which assure domestic violence victims have the protection and resources they need.

Rachel Schutz, executive director of the Family Justice Center of Washington County, said that the safety of survivors depends on both offender accountability and a comprehensive coordinate response from the community and law enforcement.

“I am deeply proud of this collaboration in prioritizing those two things in securing this grant to make Washington County safer, healthier, and more hopeful. This grant will save lives,” said Schutz.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.