MPD & Sojourner extend partnership to help domestic violence victims

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- To combat domestic violence, Milwaukee police has teamed up with the Sojourner Family Peace Center.

"Violence continues to be urgent. It happens at a high rate in Milwaukee," said Carmen Pitre, executive director of the Sojourner Family Peace Center.

It's not a new partnership, but now a community liaison officer from each police district will be assigned to the high risk team to help victims. 

"You'll call police, they'll come and investigate it, notify the Family Peace Center, and during an interview with the Family Peace Center, answer certain question," said John Corbett, MPD Captain. "Those questions will give you a lethality score, and that numeric number determines how at risk you are for domestic violence, including homicide."  

According to advocates, fighting domestic abuse is critical because the lives of victims could be at risk.

"There have been some public records that indicate some of the people who were murdered this year were working with law enforcement and we go hand-in-hand with that," Pitre said.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Sojourner Family Peace Center at 414-933-2722.

You can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.