Crisis Intervention, Response, & Recovery

Domestic Violence For the year 2021, the total number of domestic-violence related homicides was eighty-one (81), an increase of 50% from 2020, which reported fifty-four (54) homicides during the same period. To address this epidemic, the City launched a two-pronged Domestic Violence Initiative designed to address the symptoms of domestic violence to prevent future homicides. Domestic Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.). For the year 2021, the total number of DVrelated Homicides was 81, an increase of 50% from 2020, which reported 54 DV-related Homicides during the same period. To address this epidemic, the City launched Houston's Domestic Abuse Response Team (D.A.R.T.), which is a coordinated community response designed to prevent domestic violence homicides. D.A.R.T. is a multidisciplinary model that recognizes domestic violence severely impacts an individual's physical and mental health. D.A.R.T. teams are comprised of officers and victim advocates who are trained to provide trauma-informed care within minutes of a victim dialing 911. D.A.R.T. coordinates and/or provides on-scene danger assessments, emergency shelter, food, transportation, and connections to community-based resources so victims can be empowered to live a life free of violence and abuse. D.A.R.T. also offers on-scene medical forensic exams at NO CHARGE to the victim. Medical forensic exams not only provide critical history about the survivor but also contribute to the preparation of an evidence-based criminal charge to be presented for criminal prosecution. D.A.R.T. units are also called as support for special threat situations as a resource for HPD's Tactical Operations Division.

Additionally, the preventive aspect of the Domestic Violence Initiative is the Multicultural Domestic Violence Preventative Outreach Strategy. This initiative will engage culturally diverse survivors who are disproportionately impacted by domestic violence. This targeted strategy will allow interventionists to engage in violence prevention education and provide information and material attuned to the cultural needs and languages of Houston's diverse population. The Mayor's Office previously used CARES Act dollars to stand up these programs. When that funding was exhausted, the City of Houston began using ARPA funding for these services, and they are already making a significant difference in the lives of our most impacted neighbors.