DOMESTIC VIOLENCE UNIT

The Adult Probation Department developed it’s first Domestic Violence Unit (DVU) in 2006 with grant monies provided by the Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevin-Walsh’s office, through the Federal Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies and Enforcement of Protection Orders Program.

Supervision of these offenders is accomplished through frequent contact with the supervising officer, mandatory participation in a Batterer’s Intervention Program or other approriate counseling treatment programs, and victim contact by the officer.

As of December 31, 2008, 289 domestic violence category offenders were under the supervision of General Supervision Probation Officers and the Domestic Violence Unit Specialist Officer. During 2007, 56 offenders successfully completed supervision. Fifteen offenders were incarcerated for new offenses involving domestic violence or protection order violations. As of December 2008, only two offenders who successfully completed supervision have new arrests for Domestic Violence. During 2008, the Domestic Violence Officer, David Siko, with Asst. Prosecutor John Mascolo and Victim Advocate Lauren Bartholet, presented at the 33rd Annual Summer Conference of the American Probation and Parole Association on multi-disciplinary approach to domestic violence. In November of 2008, an officer was added to specialize in Pre-Sentence Investigations of Domestic Violence offenders.

Domestic Violence Officer: David Siko 330.643.5365

If you are a victim of domestic violence in need of assistance, please call the Battered Women’s Shelter at 330-374-1111 for immediate help.