Information Sharing

Domestic Violence Information Sharing System

    The overall need for the Domestic Violence Information Sharing System (DVISS) was identified years ago by examining the current method of information sharing across the multitude of agencies involved in a domestic violence incident.  In late 2006, development of the DVISS was completed.  As of April 2007, the system is in the final testing phase.

     The current, long-standing domestic violence information sharing process across different agencies is inadequate.  Each agency has its own information and data on any given domestic violence incident.  This information is stored in either paper files or in an agency-specific database.  Each agency is quite knowledgeable when it comes to their files and databases.  The limitation occurs when this information is needed to transform from intra-agency ownership into inter-agency sharing.  This form of sharing is limited by the laborious process of physically tracking down pieces of paper, and the inability for the agencies to share information across different databases.  The result is an extremely time consuming endeavor that may jeopardize the extremely time limited mission: preventing a serious domestic violence incident from occurring.

    The above-mentioned complications severely limit the ability for a comprehensive and coordinated response to domestic violence.  In order to achieve this necessary response, a format/forum must be created that not only enables automatic information sharing across multiple agencies, but also the ability to identify those victims, offenders and relationships that are in immediate need of a comprehensive and coordinated response.  This tool is the Domestic Violence Information Sharing System (DVISS) database, contracted through Analysts International. 

    This system will enable the many different pieces of the information to be automatically shared, forming a complete picture of the overall incident (including information on the victim, offender and event).  This is made possible because the many different information sources and databases across the agencies are updated onto the DVISS.  The many different “screens” are incorporated into one single “screen” that is accessible only to authorized users.  These authorized users are provided with training, passwords and strict rules and regulations regarding the use of the system.  In addition, the system incorporates an audit trail that allows for administrators to track user’s activities in order to prevent unethical misuse of the system. 

    The DVISS will also have a list management feature that will allow agencies to track domestic violence cases both internally as well as across different agencies.  The DVISS list management enables agencies to create a list of all the cases that enter their agency and keep track of any new events that occur automatically. 

    The DVISS will also include a “risk-assessment” tool that will allow users to ascertain the dangerousness level of the victim, offender and/or the relationship.  This tool will be comprised of a list of indicators that are based on numerous research projects, and have been found to be prevalent in high-risk domestic violence cases.  In turn, these indicators will be automatically highlighted based on the information uploaded from the various agency databases.  This risk-assessment tool will allow the criminal justice system to direct limited resources and subsequent interventions towards those cases that are deemed most dangerous according to the established indicators and corresponding scale.

The DVISS represents the technology that is necessary for the achievement of a comprehensive and coordinated community response to domestic violence.  It connects the many different agencies that respond to a domestic violence incident.  It also coordinates each of these agency’s information and knowledge, thus allowing for a comprehensive assessment and appropriate intervention.