Published in the February 16, 2018 edition.
WAKEFIELD — Chief Richard Smith is pleased to announce the Wakefield Police Department will be expanding its services to victims of intimate partner and family violence.
Through a grant from the Violence Against Women Act, Victoria Helberg, a high risk program specialist from RESPOND, is now working with the Wakefield Police Department, along with the Melrose and Malden Police Departments to provide services and resources to victims of domestic violence.
“Domestic violence is pervasive in our communities and it is our responsibility to ensure that we provide the best services to combat this violence while at the same time ensuring the safety of the victims, children and other family members. Additionally, since the Police Department is, in today’s world, the portal to the social service system, we must ensure the victims that they have a confidential and safe place to turn. Through this grant and our partnership with RESPOND, we can move in that direction,” according to Chief Smith.
Family Services Officer Amy Rando, who is also the President of the Wakefield Alliance Against Violence (WAAV), has worked with and referred victims of domestic violence to RESPOND for additional services in the past. “Some victims are reluctant to speak with a police officer. Having a civilian working in conjunction with the police department may make the difference in them seeking help,” said Rando.
“RESPOND Inc. is excited to be working even more closely with Wakefield Police and their community by being stationed in the police department. This new grant will allow us to provide more dedicated services to the community of Wakefield to address the public health issue of domestic violence,” said RESPOND CEO Jessica Brayden.
We invite everyone to attend the next monthly WAAV meeting to meet Victoria and hear about the services she offers on February 21, at 8:30 a.m., at WCAT studios, 24 Hemlock Road in Wakefield. Victoria will be at the Wakefield Police Department on Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. She can be reached at 339-219-4524 or by email at vhelberg@wakefieldpd.org.
