In a recent press release, Pennsylvania State Police announced the agency will implement the Lethality Assessment Program aimed at protecting domestic violence survivors from life-threatening abuse.

“LAP is an evidence-based initiative designed to help law enforcement identify victims of domestic violence who may be at heightened risk of death and connect them with lifesaving support,” according to the press release.

“This program is another valuable tool that allows our Troopers to proactively identify and prevent victims of domestic violence from suffering further abuse by connecting them with trained domestic violence advocates and other critical resources that could save their lives,” Lt. Col. George L. Bivens, acting commissioner for the Pennsylvania State Police, said in the press release.

“This implementation also signifies an important milestone in ensuring the LAP reaches each one of our 67 counties across our Commonwealth.”

The PSP developed training based on the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence’s LAP model for troopers who respond to qualifying domestic violence incidents to use a standardized lethality screening process to identify factors associated with increased risk of homicide.

When an individual is identified as being at elevated risk, troopers can help expedite an immediate connection with a local domestic violence advocate or hotline.

That connection allows the victim to receive safety planning, advocacy, shelter referrals and other available services.

“By bringing law enforcement and domestic violence service providers together through the Lethality Assessment Program, we close critical gaps in safety and support. Implementing LAP strengthens our statewide response to domestic violence; it also brings stability, restores hope, and empowers victims to move forward with the resources they deserve, ” Ashley Walkowiak, executive director, Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women, said in the press release.

LAP is designed around a coordinated partnership between law enforcement and domestic violence service providers.

Pennsylvania has supported municipal agencies taking part in the program since 2012 through partnerships involving the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the PCADV.

PCADV uses Maryland’s nationally recognized Lethality Assessment Program as its model.

In Maryland, domestic violence-related deaths dropped 32% between 2008 and 2013.

Kathy Buckley, director of PCCD’s Office of Victims’ Services, addressed the importance of a partnership between law enforcement and victim service programs.

“Through the Lethality Assessment Program, we are identifying those at the highest risk and connecting them immediately to lifesaving safety and support,” Buckley said.

PSP joins 493 other law enforcement agencies and 52 domestic violence programs currently using the program in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania also recently launched the first statewide sexual assault kit tracking system to strengthen accountability and transparency for survivors, according to the press release.