5/28/2015 HUMAN SERVICES Minutes

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overseen by the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. Ms. Carline opted to focus on the native American population and on the elder population. Ms. Carline said she believed her grant application was successful because she narrowed the focus to target populations with some unmet needs: Mashpee's Native Americans and the elderly. Ms.Carline stated that the goal of the Victim Advocate is to help the victim with crisis intervention, safety planning, and to provide that non -judgmental support for them in their immediate traumatic crisis. Ms. Carline acts as a liaison between the police and the courts and tries to help the victim navigate through the legal system. Ms. Carline stated that domestic violence is about power and control. The perpetrator is trying to ensure that the victim does not leave. It is hard for the general public to understand why the victim stays when they are being abused. The perpetrator may initially be the prince charming and gradually over time try to create control over the victim, whether financially, isolation, keeping the kids together, emotional or all those pieces together. In addition, a common perception with the public and the media is that domestic abuse is not an issue of major concern. Thus, public education about abuse is another important undertaking for the Human Services Committee. Ms. Carfine again stated that she is a referral resource for that victim and wants to be that non -judgmental support to make sure that they are safe within their community. Ms. Carline works with the victim to ensure their safety, and where they want to be to survive. Ms. Carline explained that the normal procedure with the abuser is to arrest him (or her), hold him for six hours, and set bail at only$40. Often, the abused, out of fear and other security reasons, will not pursue the charges, Ms. Carline said. Ms. Carline stated that in 2009 she was sworn in as a Mashpee Reserve Police Officer and was to respond to active domestic violence calls in order to provide the advocacy role for the victim. Ms. Carline explained that her predecessor never followed up on substance abuse calls, juvenile issues, mental illness calls and any issues involving the elderly population, but that she now follows up on all of these calls because they can overlap with domestic violence cases. Ms. Carline is working very closely with Gail Wilson and Lynne Waterman to gain their clinical expertise in handling these cases. Ms. Carline stated that she is trying get involved with the Wampanoag Tribe in order to change the culture to overcome the stigma that is attached to the Police Department. Falmouth and Barnstable Police Departments also have Victim Advocates on staff. Ms. Carline distributed copies of a Domestic Violence brochure prepared by the Mashpee Police Department. Statistics from the year quoted by Ms. Carline included 217calls, 60 arrests, 42 juvenile cases, 104 mental illness calls, 46 of which involved the elder population. The Committee members stressed the importance of making the public aware of the Victim Advocate program. John Cahalane recommended getting the word out to the Finance Committee and the Board of Selectmen. • Board Reorganization Chairman Ruth Elias stated that she has served as the Human Services Committee chairman for the past 3 years, and has enjoyed the experience, but felt that it was time to pass the gamut to a new chairman. Ms. Elias suggested Vice Chairman Janice Walford as one candidate to be considered. The other committee members agreed that Janice Walford would be an excellent choice for chairman of the committee. No other offers to succeed Ms. Elias were forthcoming. John Cahalane made a motion to nominate Janice Walford as Chairman of the Human Services Committee. Mary Scanlan seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. Janice Walford made a motion to nominate Ruth Elias as Vice Chairman of the Human Services Committee. John Cahalane seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously approved. 2