Monday, January 24, 2011

Northwest Advocate Recognized

By Audrey Bergin, MA, Coordinator
Domestic Violence(DOVE)Program at Northwest Hospital

Baltimore County’s Domestic Violence Coordinating Council has recognized an individual for the leadership they have brought to the challenge of reducing domestic violence in our community. Recently Cassie Offutt, Advocate for the Domestic Violence at Northwest Hospital was awarded this honor at Baltimore County’s Domestic Violence Conference, in front of hundreds of colleagues.

She was nominated by multiple colleagues in the domestic violence community for her dedication to victims. Cassie works with the police in local precincts conducting home visits with victims who have recently been assaulted and scored “high” on a Lethality Assessment (meaning the violence in their life, could become lethal). She follows up with victims until they are safe. Cassie also provides court accompaniment for Protective Orders and criminal cases. The police and lawyers who she works with cannot praise her enough.

One colleague said she is “paramount in assisting us with domestic violence strangulation cases.” Another said, “She does whatever is necessary to make a client safe.” “She is an invaluable asset to our work and to the work of all domestic violence agencies.”

Cassie motivates and inspires others with her enthusiasm and her dedication. She was awarded for leading by her example. As a result of Cassie’s hard work, the Domestic Violence Program at Northwest has been able to serve hundreds more victims each year.

To learn more, call 410-601-WELL (9355).

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