Nearly a decade after first implementing the Lethality Assessment Program (LAP), Prevail, Inc., in partnership with the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement agencies, is relaunching the program to strengthen and renew the community’s coordinated response to domestic violence and better connect survivors at the greatest risk of serious injury or death with potentially life-saving support.
LAP assists police in responding to intimate partner violence incidents by connecting victims identified as high risk with advocates while police are on the scene. Police use an evidence-based risk assessment that assesses future severe or near-fatal violence. When survivors are screened in as high-danger, they are offered the opportunity to speak with a victim advocate at Prevail. The Prevail advocate provides the survivor with immediate safety planning information and connection to additional support and resources.
Research demonstrates that when survivors are assessed using the Lethality Screen, identified as high danger, and speak with an advocate, they experience significantly less violence over the subsequent seven months compared to survivors receiving usual police intervention. The immediate connection to an advocate is a key component of the program, helping ensure that survivors facing the greatest risk are not left to navigate their next steps alone.
Wanninger
“Relaunching the LAP protocol is an important step in strengthening how our community responds to survivors of domestic violence,” Prevail Executive Director Tami Wanninger said. “By partnering with the Prosecutor’s Office and local law enforcement agencies, we are creating a more seamless and consistent response to domestic violence. Without this shared approach, survivors are often lost in navigating complex systems and lack support to develop a comprehensive plan for their safety.”
LAP was first implemented in the county in 2016 through a collaborative effort among Prevail, the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, and the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV). The relaunch will transition Hamilton County partners to the updated LAP 2.0 model.
Kocher
“Every victim of domestic violence deserves to know they are not alone, and that help is within reach,” Prosecuting Attorney Josh Kocher said. “By relaunching the Lethality Assessment Program, our Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement partners, and Prevail are coming together through the Hamilton County Domestic Violence Task Force to better identify those at greatest risk and connect them with the support and resources they need.”
The relaunch represents a renewed commitment among Hamilton County agencies to a consistent, coordinated approach to recognizing high-risk domestic violence situations and responding with immediate support for Hamilton County residents.
About Prevail
Prevail is a non-profit organization based in Noblesville dedicated to offering crisis intervention and restorative support services for those who have experienced crime and abuse, free of charge, in a confidential, supportive, non-judgmental environment that is meant to empower those we serve. Since the beginning, Prevail has been committed to empowering survivors and fostering a safe community free of violence.
For more information, visit prevailinc.org. Prevail’s Crisis Line is available 24/7 at (317) 776-3472.
About Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office
The Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office is dedicated to protecting the community, seeking justice for victims, and holding offenders accountable. The team works to ensure public safety by prosecuting crimes fairly and effectively, supporting victims and their families, and partnering with law enforcement and community organizations. The Prosecutor’s Office is committed to upholding the law with integrity, pursuing justice with compassion, and keeping the community a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.
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