Calling domestic violence the “number one health threat to women” who live in the District of Columbia, U.S. Attorney Eric H. Holder Jr. announced yesterday the creation of a special team of 16 prosecutors to handle all domestic violence cases there. Formerly randomly assigned, all complaints of domestic violence of any degree will now go to the team whose members volunteered for the duty and have received special training. Holder said the program, which will also utilize victims’ rights advocates, community volunteers, shelters and support groups, is designed to protect victims and help them escape the abuse. Last year, only a third of the 5,000 domestic violence cases reported were prosecuted.
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