Attorney General Masto Releases First Annual Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report


April 25, 2013

Elko, NV – Commemorating National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto released the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Statewide Team (AG-DVFRST) first annual report today, which included 17 recommendations that will be submitted to the Governor, Nevada Legislature and other key stakeholders.

    “Domestic violence fatality review seeks to improve the response to domestic violence victims and avert future fatalities through coordinated community prevention and improved intervention initiatives,” said Masto.

      Multidisciplinary review teams compile information to review deaths related to domestic violence. Through these reviews, teams identify red flags that may have indicated escalating levels of violence and enables the team to develop recommendations to improve systems designed to protect victims of domestic violence. In 2011, according to the Violence Policy Center, Nevada had the highest rate of murders related to domestic violence of women by men with hand guns in the United States. Members of the AG-DVFRST are in Elko to review, finalize and approve the first annual report and conduct their second review.

        Clark County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team, Washoe County Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team and the AG-DVFRST contributed recommendations to the first annual report, which analyzed six cases, three from Clark County, two from Washoe County and one from the Statewide Team.

          Some recommendations from the 2013 report include:  

          • Improve processes/procedures for temporary protection orders
          • Improve language line services/availability and training for 911 operators
          • Discontinue pleading down of domestic violence cases

            The report, which includes a membership list for all of the teams, is available by clicking here. The AG-DVFRST became effective October 2011 (NRS 228.495). It allows the Attorney General to create multidisciplinary teams to review fatalities related to domestic violence in areas where no local team existed or where the local court or agency requests the assistance of the Attorney General.

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