On April 18, 1996 the first meeting of the Harris County Domestic Violence Coordinating Council (HCDVCC) was held. In attendance were representatives from law enforcement, prosecution, the courts, post conviction, health, education, domestic violence programs and others. All agreed to send people to the meetings who would have authority to help create written protocols. The protocols would include every aspect of the community that had contact with domestic violence victims. By April 1997 the Council had incorporated as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, adopted bylaws, and formed committees to begin the work on protocols.
HCDVCC’s mission is to develop and implement a community wide plan to end domestic violence, and the following goals were adopted to accomplish the mission: develop cooperation and coordination among all the participants who serve domestic violence victims; evaluate the current institutional response to domestic violence in order to develop and maintain a community protocol handbook; identify additional service needs in the community and work to fill those needs; educate the public about domestic violence policies and available resources; strengthen and coordinate intervention and prevention efforts; encourage efficient use of community resources and simplify and increase access to services.
In the late 1990’s meetings began to discuss the formation of a Domestic Violence Death Review Team. Included were representatives from law enforcement, the prosecutor’s office, and domestic violence service providers. Information was gathered from other states that had created such teams. Child Abuse Death Review teams were reviewed, including the team in Harris County. It was clear that confidentiality and immunity were issues. The group reviewed some cases that had been completely adjudicated.
In 2001, when the Texas Legislature passed SB 515, amending Chapter 672 of the Texas Health and Safety Code to allow for the formation of Adult Fatality Review Teams in each county, HCDVCC recognized the opportunity to go forward with review of family violence deaths. Working with the Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services, the HCDVCC went to Commissioner’s Court requesting to be officially designated as Harris County’s Adult Violence Death Review Team. In August 2003 this official designation was received.
