In new report, Mass. domestic violence review team calls for public awareness campaign

Citing a "dramatic increase" in domestic violence offenses, a state panel tasked with reducing such incidents, including deaths, suggested in a new report that officials may need to bolster public awareness campaigns.

People need to be educated about how to identify behavior or red flags, and about resources for victims and loved ones and for offenders looking to change their behavior, according to the State Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team's 2023 annual report.

Federal crime data showed a significant rise in domestic violence offenses from 2020 to 2022 in Massachusetts, the report stated.

The number of aggravated assaults — which include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, strangulation, and assault and battery on a pregnant woman — climbed from 5,690 to 6,102 over those two years. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter increased from 21 to 28 in the same period.

As the state team and local review teams probe domestic violence fatalities, the report said access to more data was needed as officials try to identify systemic problems across local and state responses and develop solutions.

To gain expanded access into state records involving perpetrators, the team recommended updating an existing statute, which created the body in 2014.

"Additionally, the same limitations have occurred regarding record sharing of medical documents which include but are not limited to emergency rooms within hospitals or mental health information. Members believe this oversight have left them at a disadvantage during reviews," the report stated, noting the law curtails which state agencies can participate in the team's work.

Chair of the team, Kelly Dwyer, executive director of the Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Human Trafficking, said this would be her final annual report. Other team members — all designated by Attorney General Andrea Campbell — include Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Mindy Hull, State Police Interim Col. John Mawn Jr. and Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.

Officials in 2018 launched RESPECTfully, the first statewide awareness campaign in more than 20 years aimed at promoting healthy relationships among youth. That was followed by a 2020 grant initiative, which supported five programs to also "educate and encourage youth on building healthy relationships," according to the report.

"We are grateful for the support from both the Governor’s Office and Legislature for these programs, however, it is evident that more needs to be done," the 13-page report said. "It is our recommendation to explore whether these programs should be expanded, or new programs need to be created to reach more people across the Commonwealth."

According to the report, the state team's success "will ultimately be measured by our ability to identify opportunities for prevention and education, improve systems responses, and identify replicable best practices that increase safety for victims and hold offenders accountable."