Violence Support Team connects domestic abuse survivors to resources

Last year saw a record number of referrals, 1,100, to the Seattle Police Department’s Domestic Violence Victim Support Team. And while 2016 isn’t even halfway over, General Manager Dana Lockhart said she wasn’t looking forward to summer.

“Summer is a dangerous time,” she said. “The kids are home from school which means more time together. Family dynamics can erupt.”

In a unique partnership between Seattle residents and police, the Victim Support Team provides food, resources, temporary child care and transportation to a safe location after an abusive event has taken place. 

“In a domestic violence call, after the area has been secured, we are often there while the police are still on the scene,” 12-year veteran David Sebba said. “Our team offers a soft hand-off from the police to available resources.” 

Sebba is one of 80 volunteers who comprise the team. Team volunteers fill 10 eight-hour shifts in teams of two over the weekend and act as a bridge to resources available to domestic violence survivors during the week.

During a recent incident, police followed up on calls from several witnesses reporting that a woman, high on drugs, was running down the middle of Aurora Avenue with a 2-year-old child in her arms. Law enforcement took the woman to detox. 

Police contacted Child Protective Services to take care of the child. But the process for locating and securing a temporary foster home can take several hours – during which an officer would typically have to stay with the child at a precinct station. That’s where the Victim Support Team was able to step in, taking over care while paperwork was handled.

At the beginning of each shift, volunteers are provided with a car and police radio.  Each wears photo identification on a Seattle PD lanyard. They stock their plain police vehicles with 150 different brochures in 27 languages along with car seats, water bottles, snack packs and cellphones (often victim’s cellphones are broken or disabled during a violent incident).

Training to become a member of the support team includes 50 hours of academy training and a rigorous background check.  

“Our volunteers stay with [the team] for an average of 5 years,” Lockhart said. “It is such a rewarding experience for them.”

Sebba agreed. 

“It is a privilege to help people at a serious time in their lives,” he said. “One night I was at the East Precinct and a young woman walked in.  She had recently moved to Seattle and wasn’t sure what to do.  Her partner would become violent and start breaking things when he drank. She was visibly shaken. I listened to her and gave her a resource: ‘The Power/Control Wheel’, which conceptualizes patterns of domestic violence. I saw her eyes light up as she read the pamphlet. This ‘light bulb’ moment was powerful to witness.” 

In addition, David said he observed his own self-destructive patterns through the support team and lost 100 pounds when he decided he “wanted something different in [his] life.”

Recent academy graduate Marissa Brooks said she feels a strong sense of accomplishment. 

“I used to be a crisis line volunteer,” she said. “It was very difficult because there was never any follow-up.  Through [the team], survivors, when they are ready, are given the resources to make changes.” 

Applications are currently being accepted for training in Fall of 2016.  Please visit: www.seattle.gov/police/vst.com for more information. The Seattle Police Department also accepts donations for the Victim Support Team, with the label “VST.” New children’s socks, blankets and discarded cell phones (they will be swiped clean) are accepted at all Seattle precincts.

Lisa Casterella is a freelance contributor.