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"UPMC Health Plan is pleased to champion the Women's Center & Shelter ofGreater Pittsburgh's efforts to end intimate partner violence in the lives ofwomen and their children in the Pittsburgh area," said Diane P. Holder. "Theyare making a real difference. Over the past year, the Women's Center & ShelterHotline answered about 5,000 domestic violence-related calls and counseledmore than 600 adults and 70 children."
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"We feel extremely fortunate for the generosity and support UPMC HealthPlan has given to our Spring Clothes Out event," stated Shirl Regan, ExecutiveDirector of the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh. "Thanks totheir support, we look forward to a very successful event."
The UPMC Health Plan Spring Clothes Out Event annually presents the TedCraig Humanitarian Award to an organization that demonstrates and embodies thespirit of the award's namesake, Ted Craig. Mr. Craig, a former managingpartner at Kirkpatrick and Lockhart, LLP, was a loyal friend and supporter ofthe Women's Center & Shelter. Honorees who receive this award exhibitexcellence and outstanding achievement and commitment to eliminating intimatepartner violence.
This year, WC&S will present the award to the Allegheny County's DistrictAttorney's Domestic Violence (DV) Unit. The DV Unit was formed in 1999 byDistrict Attorney Stephen A. Zappala, Jr. First Assistant District Attorney,Chris Connors, was the Unit's first "specialist" in intimate partner violenceand assisted in the development of the DV Unit. Currently, the Unit is headedby Deputy District Attorney, Darrell Dugan, and consists of five prosecutors,one paralegal, and one legal intern.
Prior to the formation of the DV Unit, it is estimated that over 75% ofthe domestic violence prosecutions were not processed to a final court outcomewith many of them being withdrawn or dismissed. Now, that number has flippedto over 75% being prosecuted to verdict, with the clear message being sentthat DV is a crime. The installation of the DV Unit has also brought with ita strong partnership with WC&S's Legal Advocacy Department. Now the DV Unitand WC&S work together as DV cases are prosecuted at the Common Pleas CourtLevel and in hearings for Indirect
Criminal Contempt for violations of Protection from Abuse Orders. The twooffices also work as co-presenters and co-facilitators in domestic violencetraining for police officers. The partnership has provided a critical resourcefor DV victims who seek protection and justice from intimate partner violence.
"The creation of the District Attorney's DV Unit has been the mostsignificant improvement ever in this county's criminal justice system in termsof its response to victims of intimate partner violence. The DV prosecutorsare in a unique position to ensure victim safety and hold batterersaccountable as they not only prosecute individual cases but also work toimprove the overall justice system response to DV," commented WC&S LegalDirector, Lorraine Bittner. WC&S Legal Advocacy Manager, Joyce McAneny,concurred by saying, "We are especially proud of the strong relationship andgood communication that have been forged between the DA's DV Unit and WC&S asthey work on behalf of DV victims."
The second focus of the event entails accepting clothing donations forresident and non-resident clients of WC&S. Donations of gently worn women'sbusiness suits or dresses will be accepted for women who are entering orcontinuing in the work force in an effort to
