NORTHAMPTON – Northwestern District Attorney David E. Sullivan’s continuing efforts to fight sexual assault and domestic violence have earned him another term on a statewide council that tackles these issues.
Gov. Charlie Baker has reappointed Sullivan to the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, a nearly 30-member body that was reestablished by the governor last year.
“District Attorney Sullivan has been a leader in the commonwealth on issues of domestic violence and sexual assault, bringing a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the governor’s council,” Lieutenant Gov. Karyn Polito said in a statement.
“He has been generous with his time and resources, updating the council on local, statewide and national best practices that could improve the commonwealth’s response to domestic violence and sexual assault in ways that support victims and hold offenders accountable,” added Polito, chairwoman of the council.
Since being sworn in as Northwestern district attorney in 2011, Sullivan has initiated several programs to combat and educate the public about sexual assault and domestic violence.
He created a domestic violence and sexual assault unit led by Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Suhl, launched an ongoing campaign to end sexual assaults on university and college campuses by 2020 and held educational seminars, training opportunities and outreach on domestic violence and sexual assault, including in the workplace.
“It’s a great opportunity to share ideas and policies,” Sullivan said of his work on the council, which meets once every two months. “I enjoy every minute of it. It’s time well spent and it gives western Mass. a voice on the council.”
Sullivan is one of two district attorneys on the council. The other is Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. State Attorney General Maura Healey also serves on the statewide panel.
Created under an executive order, the council advises the governor on how to help residents live free of sexual assault and domestic violence by improving prevention and support for individuals and families affected by sexual assault and domestic violence – and to hold accountable perpetrators of these crimes.
The council has spent much of the past year assessing the implementation of domestic violence legislation enacted in 2014 and reviewing programs aimed at reducing sexual assault and domestic violence. The council also is tasked with examining best practices to better coordinate services and housing opportunities for victims.
“One of the biggest barriers to leaving a domestic violence situation is economic barriers,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan has been on a working committee of the council that typically meets once a month and is focused on developing high-risk offender assessments for people across the state. Such assessments can help police, advocacy groups and prosecutors better understand the kinds of risks that can contribute to serious injuries or death, Sullivan said.
“Domestic violence is the number one serious crime that we deal with and child abuse is right behind that,” Sullivan said of the caseload in the Northwestern district, which covers 47 communities in Hampshire and Franklin counties and the North Quabbin region.
The office handled more than 1,200 domestic violence cases in 2015, according to its latest annual report. In addition, the district attorney’s office prosecuted a high-profile case involving the 2012 gang rape of a student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst that resulted in jail terms for all four defendants.
Sullivan also spent four years working on a similar council under former governor Deval Patrick. He said the work of the task force under the Baker administration has been a productive one during the past year.
“It’s really moving forward,” Sullivan said. “It’s making sure these issues and policies don’t linger.
Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com.