Meet the people taking the call before first responders get to the scene. 

“They are taking that first call, and even though we often think of police as first responders actually they really are because they're the ones that are first in touch with the victim,” said Judith Olin, director of the University at Buffalo School of Law Family Violence and Women's Rights Clinic.

Erie County 911 dispatchers are being trained this week on how to better handle calls dealing with domestic violence.

“Sometimes it's a child caller, so they need tips and tools on how to best deal with a child caller who's watching their parent be hurt,” said Lisa Sears, deputy director of communications for Erie County law enforcement. “Sometimes it's just talking to the victim and getting them to a place where they feel safe enough to tell us what's going on and what kind of assistance is needed because sometimes they're not willing to say they need first aid, or that there's weapons in the house.” 

Whether they're speaking to the victim, a child or a witness, the training will teach dispatchers key words to use when they do have these calls. 

"Learn what to listen for specifically, key words to say to help draw that caller in,” Sears said. “Key words to say to children to make them unafraid because it's a terrifying situation. Even for a witness, what to ask a witness, please tell me what the victim looks like, tell me what the suspect looks like. We want the officers, the first responders to go to the right people, the first time.”

With two full training classes with dispatchers from all over the county, they hope to better serve the community, and keep the conversation going on domestic violence.

“We need to continue to talk about it because we still have homicides that are committed in this county, domestic violence homicides,” said Olin.