Pittsfield Accepts Grant for Domestic Violence Services
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Pittsfield Police Department received more than $66,000 from the state to assist survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in collaboration with the Elizabeth Freeman Center.
On Tuesday, the City Council accepted a $66,826.52 Violence Against Women's Act STOP Grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security. The longtime Civilian Advocate Program is described as "the critical bridge between victims and law enforcement."
"The Civilian Advocate Program brings law enforcement and victim services together to reach survivors sooner and respond more effectively to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Through a collaboration between the Pittsfield Police Department and Elizabeth Freeman Center, this program bridges critical service gaps in our rural community, increasing safety and recovery for victims," the program summary reads.
Founded in 2009, the program focuses on creating an integrated and trauma-informed response, ensuring access that meets the needs of vulnerable and marginalized populations, cross-training, and making a community impact.
The Freeman Center has received more than 3,500 hotline calls in fiscal year 2025 and served nearly 950 Pittsfield survivors. In the past year, 135 clients came through the program, but there was limited capacity and reach, with only part-time hours for the civilian advocate.
According to court reports, Berkshire County's rate of protection order filings is 42 percent higher than the state average.
"Violence against women is an incredibly important topic, and when you read through the packet, it highlights that here in Berkshire County, our protection rates are 40 percent higher than the national rate," Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi said.
Divya Chaturvedi, executive director of the Freeman Center, said there is a "crying need" for these services in Berkshire County.
Chaturvedi explained that the center and PPD have had a long relationship in serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The grant will allow a trauma-informed EFC counselor to provide victims with resources, as well as a coordinated and comprehensive response from the two entities, she said.
Lampiasi pointed out that the grant language focuses on women, and cited federal orders that transpired over the last year from the Trump administration, asking if the program could continue if federal dollars were cut.
Chaturvedi said it boils down to the fact that the Freeman Center is the only domestic violence and sexual assault agency for area residents.
"Anytime any service is limited for a survivor, it means that we don't have any other resource for that survivor. They have no other place to go for that service. It's not as though we will not keep providing services, but any reduction leads — it's like a spiral," she added.
"You cut down a few services, maybe it takes longer to help them. Maybe they don't have anyone when they walk into the police department. Maybe they get too scared to file a restraining order, or they go back to the abuser because there's no one providing them the support. So it means a lot to have this funding, and we hope that the funding will continue so we can continue doing this really important work for survivors in Berkshire County."
Ward 7 Councilor Katherine Moody said this is "quite literally life-saving," and pointed out that domestic violence is not socioeconomic.
"It is not based on your path in life, or what color you are, or how much money you make. Domestic violence is across the board, throughout all levels of socioeconomic status, and I just needed to say that out loud as a point of clarity that it affects all of us," she said.
Chaturvedi added that it can happen to anyone anywhere, and that most people know someone who has experienced it.
The Police Department's grant administrator Margaret Gregory-Bilotta explained that the $22,275 department match is for the police liaison who assists the center in getting information regarding a case.
A full description of the program can be found in the City Council agenda.
In other news, Police Capt. Marc Strout was appointed as "captain in charge" of the force and the mayor's office said the appointment will be in effect until Civil Service test results are received and a permanent police chief can be named. In December, Police Chief Thomas Dawley announced his intent to retire in January.
Tags: domestic violence, police grants,
