Working Together to Prevent Domestic Violence Fatalities
Domestic violence cases can quickly escalate, making it critical to identify those at the highest risk before tragedy occurs. Through a collaborative partnership between Hope United Survivor Network, the Gaston County District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders, healthcare providers, and community partners, Gaston County has implemented the Danger Assessment for Law Enforcement (DA-LE) — an evidence-based approach designed to improve survivor safety and hold offenders accountable.
Developed by the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, the DA-LE is an 11-question, evidence-based screening tool used by law enforcement officers when responding to domestic violence incidents. The assessment helps identify victims who are at the highest risk of serious injury or homicide, allowing agencies to respond quickly with coordinated intervention and support.
10+
Law Enforcement Agencies Partnered With
50+
High-Risk Cases Identified
100+
Survivors Connected to Support
A Standardized Response Across Gaston County
Every law enforcement agency in Gaston County now uses the same evidence-based assessment, creating a consistent and coordinated response to domestic violence.
Information from all DA-LE assessment is shared with the District Attorney’s Office and Hope United Survivor Network, not only those identified as high risk. This coordinated response allows prosecutors to make informed decisions regarding offender accountability while Hope United can begin addressing barriers that may prevent survivors from accessing safety, services, or participating in the court process. Cases identified as high risk receive additional review and coordination through the High-Risk Team.
High-Risk Fatality Prevention Team
Identifying high-risk cases is only the first step.
- District Attorney's Office
- All Gaston County law enforcement agencies
- Gaston County EMS
- CaroMont Health
- Insights in Recovery
- Gaston County Department of Social Services
- Probation and Parole
- Pretrial Services
- Hope United Survivor Network
- The Lighthouse Children’s Advocacy Center
- The Cathy Mabry Cloninger Center
- Additional community partners as needed
Together, the team reviews high-risk cases to:
Increase survivor safety
Hold offenders accountable
Close gaps in services
Improve communication between agencies
Coordinate interventions before violence escalates
Strengthen community-wide prevention efforts
Evidence-Based. Survivor-Centered.
Research has shown that domestic violence homicides are often preceded by identifiable warning signs. The Danger Assessment for Law Enforcement helps first responders recognize those indicators early, allowing communities to intervene before violence becomes lethal.
By combining evidence-based screening with coordinated case staffing, Gaston County has established a countywide system focused on prevention, accountability, and survivor safety.
A Model of Collaboration
The implementation of the DA-LE represents a shared commitment among Gaston County partners to create safer outcomes for survivors and their families.
- A standardized domestic violence response across all jurisdictions
- Earlier identification of high-risk offenders
- Improved communication between partner agencies
- Increased access to survivor services
- Greater offender accountability
- A coordinated effort to prevent domestic violence fatalities
The collaborative success of this initiative has been recognized statewide and has become a model of how agencies can work together to improve public safety.