Language Line Program Expands Citywide
The Language Line Program has been expanded to equip all police precincts with direct, instant access to language interpreters 24 hours a day. Each precinct stationhouse has special dual-handset telephones with access to interpreters in over 150 different languages. Now, victims who do not speak English can tell their stories to the police and get the help they need. Funded by the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, the Language Line Program also encourages victims to seek help from the police, while increasing batterer accountability.

Since the program launched in March 2004, Language Line phones have been used over 1,000 times in over 30 languages including: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Farsi, Greek, Haitian-Creole, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Punjabi, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu. Language no longer needs to be a barrier for crime victims who are seeking help.

Domestic Violence Response Teams (DVRT) Pilot Program
The DVRT Pilot Program coordinates the delivery of domestic violence services to high-risk households in two precincts (in Brooklyn and the Bronx) with the highest rates of domestic violence.  In its first two years, DVRT served over 175 victims.  Despite the high-risk nature of the cases, over 96% of the total participants have not reported any subsequent physical harm since their entry into the program.

Through DVRT, the City is able to analyze the flow of service delivery. Based upon in-depth discussion of cases, DVRT develops recommendations to enhance the provision of services Citywide. Several major policy changes which improved service delivery to domestic violence victims have resulted from DVRT.

New York City Police Department (NYPD)
The NYPD has dedicated Domestic Violence Prevention Officers in each of its 76 precincts.  Police officers responded to over 222,000 domestic violence calls last year, a daily average of over 600 calls.

Digital 911 System
Announced by the Mayor in 2002, this system allows judges to hear high quality digital recordings of victims' 911 calls at arraignments before bail is set.  These recordings, which have been particularly helpful in prosecuting domestic violence cases, can now be retrieved in less than 24 hours, whereas a year ago it could take up to three months.

Victim Information and Notification Everyday (VINE) System
Implemented by the Department of Correction and the Office of the Criminal Justice Coordinator, VINE assists crime victims in determining the custody status of inmates within the Department of Correction.

Crime victims may obtain this information by calling (888) VINE4NY from any touch-tone phone. Victims also have the option of being notified when the inmate is released.