Counties across New York state are beginning to look into ways to crack down on domestic violence, as cases continue to rise.

In Broome County, a new education panel mandated for low-level offenders is looking to change this, and more regions across the state are following suit.

It’s an unfortunate statistic across the state: One in four women and one in 10 men have experienced some sort of domestic violence in their lifetime.

According to the comptroller’s office, cases have risen by 8.7% since 2019.

Local district attorneys are finding a majority of the crime they're prosecuting relates back to this issue.

“It just blew me away how many cases were coming in that had underlying domestic violence. It's definitely a problem,” Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti said. 

One of the leading causes cited by attorneys and advocacy groups is a lack of consequences for low-level offenders.

"If nothing happens, what's stopping the person from considering? I can continue this behavior and nothing is going to happen to me. So to us, it's more important to respond so seriously and so quickly," said Danielle Nuzzo, assistant director of legal advocacy at the Crime Victims Assistance Center.

One of the ways counties like Broome are doing that is by creating Domestic Violence Education Panels.

Low-level offenders are now mandated to attend and complete the courses, with the goal of reversing their behavior and focusing on consequences.

"We really will educate these offenders on the dynamics of domestic violence, how their conduct dramatically impacts communities, children, what an order of protection is, what can happen if you don't abide by the terms and conditions of that order of protection. And really talk about other services that may be available in the community," said Battisti.

Programs like these are now spreading to other parts of the state.

For the executive director of the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, it’s a great first step.

"We know that survivors want accountability programing, right? Not everybody wants their their abuser to end up in jail for many reasons. Some of them could be financial. Some of them could be a lot of reasons. But we know that this is what survivors want. And often it's a way of which we are engaged that person is gauging whether or not somebody can change," said Kelli Owens, executive director of the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

The Broome County Domestic Violence Panel will meet for 1 1/2 hours monthly.