Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi, YWCA of Western Massachusetts CEO Elizabeth Dineen and Sheriff’s Shuffle Race Director Davis Snow speak about the increase in domestic violence.
Reminder Publishing photo by Sarah Heinonen
SPRINGFIELD — Each year, the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department hosts a charity 5K/walk to benefit a local organization that helps the community. This year the race will benefit domestic violence prevention and support efforts from the YWCA of Western Massachusetts, a cause that is personal to Sheriff Nick Cocchi.
On April 14, Cocchi’s executive assistant Eileen Monaghan was the victim of a murder, allegedly committed by her boyfriend, Chicopee Firefighter Jason Chapdelaine.
“I’m disappointed in myself,” Cocchi said, candidly. “I’ve always supported domestic violence [programs], but [the Sheriff’s Office] just being a support agency, it wasn’t enough. It shouldn’t have to hit you directly to get you involved. For me, it’s an all-in.”
The Sheriff’s Shuffle has been hosted for about 20 years, and was started by Cocchi’s predecessor, Michael Ashe. The event raises money for that year’s organization through race registration fees and Sheriff’s Shuffle Race Director Davis Snow said hundreds of people participate, returning year after year. Registration is $35 per person until Sept. 28 and $40 on race day.
“It’s a really fun, family friendly event,” Snow said. On-site registration and check-in will take place at the Holyoke Elks Lodge, 250 Whitney Ave., Holyoke, between 9 and 10 a.m. The 1.5-mile walking route begins and ends there, while the 5K race takes place at nearby Ashely Reservoir. After the race, there will be live music, raffles, games, awards, food and refreshments at the Elks Lodge. While there is limited on-site parking, a shuttle service will be available from overflow parking lots. Participants will receive a complimentary long sleeve, dry-fit Sheriff’s Shuffle shirt upon registration. “Everyone who signs up gets a shirt, guaranteed. People love the shirts,” Snow said with a smile.
“It’s all about bringing awareness and support to community agencies,” Snow said. “A large volume of participation increases awareness.”
This is not the first time the Sheriff’s Office and the YWCA of Western Massachusetts have partnered. The 2022 Sheriff’s Shuffle raised over $110,000 to help the YWCA in its domestic violence services and support efforts.
“There’s people that don’t feel safe everyday they walk into their homes, every day they walk into work.” Cocchi called abusers “cowardly” for “demeaning others to feel more powerful.” He said it results in “senseless deaths” or incidents that stay with survivors for the rest of their lives.
Several times, Cocchi pointed out that people of any gender can be the victims of domestic violence, but added, “If we’re being honest with ourselves, we know it happens more to women.” The federal Bureau of Justice Statistics states that 47.3% of women and 44.2% of men have experienced domestic violence. Cocchi also said members of the LGBTQ+ community are at an increased risk.
Cocchi shared other statistics on the issue. He said one in five homicides are committed by intimate partners and 60% of children in the country have witnessed domestic abuse against a parent. According to data from the Sheriff’s Department, 15% of the 1,202 people in custody on July 23 have domestic-related charges. Of those 180 people, 92% were men and 8% were women. The median age of these individuals is 36, but adults up to age 68 were in custody on charges related to domestic violence.
A press release from the Sheriff’s Department stated, “Compared to 2019’s sentenced population, today’s offenders have more violent and abusive tendencies as evidenced through their charges.”
The increase in domestic violence and abuse is not isolated to Hampden County. A February 2024 state report identified a significant increase in domestic violence incidents in post-coronavirus pandemic years. There was a 56% increase in domestic violence murders in 2022 over the previous year, and an increase in aggravated assaults from 5,690 in 2020 to 6,102 in 2022.
“I don’t think there’s any better cause” to fundraise for through the Sheriff’s Shuffle, Cocchi said. “We have a major problem in this community and the country.” Those who cannot attend the Shuffle can donate to the YWCA, he said. “The smallest contribution, if you magnify that by thousands of people, it’ll make a tremendous difference,” Cocchi said.
The YWCA of Western Massachusetts offers a 24/7 hotline for people experiencing domestic violence.
In 2022, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts took 6,516 calls to its hotline and served 11,895 people through local programs. CEO Elizabeth Dineen said help from the YWCA is always available, including weekends, nights and holidays. “Our team will accommodate you,” she said. For those who do not feel comfortable calling, dedicated staff is available for walk-ins at the YWCA’s headquarters at 1 Clough St. in Springfield. People can take advantage of the on-site shelter for women and their children who are fleeing abusive situations. Dineen said if the shelter is full, the organization will arrange for people in need to stay in a hotel room.
“Domestic violence hurts women, and it hurts men, but it absolutely devastates children,” Dineen said. She said children who witness domestic violence are more likely to be involved in it as adults.
The YWCA offers a counseling program for children who have witnessed such violence.
The YWCA sends staff to hospitals to support sexual assault survivors while they undergo a rape kit. It also provides court advocacy services, help finding housing and economic empowerment programs.
When asked what he attributes the increase in domestic violence to, Cocchi said, “Yesterday, a person was released on bail after being arrested for domestic violence against his girlfriend and attempted rape. What’s the punishment? What’s the consequences?” he asked. While Cocchi said he supports the state’s criminal justice reform of recent years, he said the focus has been on operations and not on protecting victims, “especially with repeat offenders.”
The Sherriff’s Department data showed 29% of those with domestic violence charges are scheduled to be released between this week and late 2026. More people who had been sentenced on domestic violence charges were released in 2023 (11.4%) than in 2019, (8.7%). Those released were 25.7 percentage points more likely to commit a violent crime.
Dineen pointed to a different factor in the domestic violence rate hike. “The reason it’s getting worse is there is so much stress in society. It’s cumulative,” she said, explaining that COVID-19 created stress and isolation, as well as economic issues, which she said is a recipe for domestic violence. Dineen also pointed to the country’s current political climate, which, she said, is rife with uncertainty. “And people don’t know how to handle stress. So, they take it out on a loved one, or someone they think they love, because hitting is not love,” she emphasized.
Both Dineen and Cocchi agreed that education is the best prevention. The YWCA visits high schools to educate people about human trafficking and “what a healthy relationship looks like,” Dineen said. Of partner violence prevention programs, Cocchi said, “It should be part of the curriculum in middle schools, high schools, colleges — a lot of relationships start in college.” The Sheriff’s Department operates programs for inmates with domestic violence charges. “We’re not just going to let them sit there and get more angry. We’re going to put them in therapy, educate them, have them look in the mirror.”
To learn more about the Sheriff’s Shuffle, register or donate, visit runsignup.com/SheriffsShuffle5k.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault or abuse, call the YWCA hotline at 413-733-7100.
The Spanish language sexual assault hotline is 800-223-5001.
