Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities (BPI), formed in 1999, is a statewide Massachusetts initiative that, using a multidisciplinary approach, links law enforcement, adult protection and human services, self-advocates and others to address abuse, neglect and crimes committed against persons with a disability. BPI was created to address the lack of awareness of crimes being committed against persons with a disability, lack of reporting and lack of, and ineffective, criminal investigations and prosecutions. In reality, BPI was created to do a better job of protecting some of the commonwealth’s most vulnerable citizens.
May 1999 marked the first time that adult protection and law enforcement agreed to a partnership to more effectively address crimes committed against persons with a disability. In that historic moment, representatives from the attorney general’s and eleven district attorneys’ offices, Massachusetts State Police, and adult protection and human service agencies developed a formal written protocol that would ensure the swift and effective report, investigation and prosecution of crimes committed against persons with a disability. The partnership became known as the Building Partnerships for the Protection of Persons with Disabilities initiative (BPI). Since its creation, BPI has expanded its partners to be more inclusive and far-reaching.
Today, BPI is a statewide Massachusetts initiative that, using a multidisciplinary approach, links law enforcement, disability and elder adult protection and human services, self-advocates, victim services, medical personnel and others to address abuse, neglect and crimes committed against persons with a disability. BPI is currently funded through an interstate agreement, from the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) to the Office of Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni.
Goals of the Building Partnerships Initiative
- To provide protection, treatment and continuity of care for persons with a disability who are a victim of crime;
- To ensure that crimes committed against persons with a disability are promptly reported, investigated by trained law enforcement personnel and prosecuted by experienced assistant district attorneys;
- To increase communication and cooperation between law enforcement and agencies providing services to persons with a disability; and
- To increase awareness of crimes committed against persons with a disability.
The work of BPI, including its training and legislative activities, is coordinated and overseen by a steering committee. The BPI Steering Committee is co-chaired by Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Executive Director Nancy A. Alterio and retired Northwestern District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel. Other steering committee members include self-advocates, representatives of adult protection and human services, district attorneys, the attorney general and state police, victim services and public health.
Through the efforts of the steering committee, thousands of persons with a disability, local and state police, adult protection and human service investigators, assistant district attorneys, victim witness advocates, court and medical personnel, human service providers and others have been trained to effectively recognize, report, investigate abuse and neglect, and prosecute crimes committed against persons with a disability.