The Murfreesboro Police Department’s Domestic Violence Investigations Unit announced a new initiative Friday called "Operation DV Knock and Talk," a program designed to improve aid for victims of domestic violence.

This initiative is designed to enhance domestic violence victims' rights and safety and hold abusers accountable to Orders of Protection issued in many of these cases.

Beginning Oct. 1, MPD detectives will visit victims of domestic violence who have
obtained orders of protection from the courts. The visits will include welfare checks on the victims
and compliance checks to ensure the abuser is not present and in violation of an Order of
Protection. If an abuser is in violation of a court order, that person will be arrested and taken to jail, according to an MPD press release.

“October, National Domestic Violence Awareness month, is an opportunity to send a clear message to abusers that we are watching and will not allow abusers to continue hurting others," said Sgt. Amy Dean, the detective in charge of the Domestic Violence Unit. "These detectives have [more than] 42 years of combined experience prosecuting thousands of domestic violence cases, and we are going to step up our efforts to hold abusers accountable.”

The Domestic Violence Investigation Unit will also meet with medical professionals to reinforce
knowledge of signs of domestic violence and speak with several social organizations in
Murfreesboro throughout the month of October.

Anyone who has been a victim of domestic violence is encouraged to call MPD at (615) 893-2717 to speak to a detective with the Domestic Violence Unit.