October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) and in Columbia County, the Community Corrections Department currently supervises over 50 clients in all parts of the county who were placed on community supervision for domestic violence offenses. The Court sentenced these persons and, as a result, they were ordered to follow various conditions of supervision, including completion of a batterer’s intervention program and victim restitution. These clients also, like many folks subject to community supervision conditions, receive home visits from Parole and Probation Officers.

The Parole and Probation Officer currently assigned to this specialized caseload, Megan Bubar, has been a member of the Community Corrections Department since January 22, 2018, and has overseen its domestic violence caseload since July 2019. She is a member of the Family Violence Supervision Network (FVSN); a group made up of Parole and Probation Officers from around the state, who meet to discuss the unique issues related to effectively supervising this caseload. Officer Bubar participates in a domestic violence week event, hosted by FVSN, which provides multiple hours of domestic violence-related training. Along with standard parole and probation training, she has specialized training in the Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment (ODARA). Community Corrections Departments utilize this risk assessment tool to assist in determining a batterer’s risk of committing another violent offense toward an intimate partner. She also conducts regular home visits to verify that her charges are in compliance.

Officer Bubar works diligently to ensure these clients comply with their supervision conditions and holds abusers accountable with swift sanctions in the event they are found in non-compliance. When necessary, sanctions can include probation revocation and/or re-incarceration. She also works with the survivors of the clients she supervises and attempts to prevent future victims. Officer Bubar utilizes her training, experience, and local and state resources in helping make the Community Corrections Department in Columbia County an effective part of the solution to freedom from domestic violence.

Are you a victim or survivor of domestic or sexual violence? It can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, or economic abuse. Abuse can include threatening, putting someone down, or making them afraid, even if there is no physical violence. If you're in an abusive relationship, the following resources can help:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-SAFE (800-799-7233).
• Your health care provider.
• A local women's shelter or crisis center.
• A counseling or mental health center.
• A local court.

In an emergency, call 911, your local emergency number, or the County Sherriff's office. Remember, no one deserves to be abused.