THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROSECUTION PROGRAM IN THE WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y., DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PROVIDES A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF INTERFAMILY VIOLENCE. THE DOMESTICE VIOLENCE UNIT INVESTIGATES, PROSECUTES, AND PROVIDES LEGAL ADVICE TO VICTIMS IN CASES OF DOMESTIC ABUSE. IT ALSO COORDINATES A COMMUNITY WIDE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF FAMILY VIOLENCE INVOLVING THE PARTICIPATION OF RELEVANT CRIMINAL JUSTICE, SOCIAL SERVICE, MEDICAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH AGENCIES. AN ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY HAS OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR PROJECT OPERATIONS. THE UNIT IS ADDITIONALLY STAFFED BY THREE PARALEGALS, A CRIMINAL INVESTIGATOR, AND A SECRETARY. IT WAS ESTABLISHED AS ONE OF A SERIES OF PILOT PROJECTS UNDER A LEAA GRANT, AND THIS REPORT ACCOMPANIES A GRANT FOR SECOND-YEAR FUNDING. THE PROJECT HAS COMPLETED AND SURPASSED EVERY GRANT OBJECTIVE FOR THE FIRST YEAR. IN 7 MONTHS OF OPERATION (PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 1979), THE UNIT SERVICED 568 VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; IN ABOUT 30 PERCENT OF THOSE CASES, CRIMINAL CHARGES HAVE BEEN FILED, WITH 68 PERCENT OF OFFENDERS BEING CONVICTED OR ORDERED THROUGH A STATUTORY DIVERSION PROGRAM. ABOUT 30 PERCENT CHOSE TO RETURN TO THEIR ABUSER AND DROP CHARGES OR RELOCATE, CAUSING THE CHARGES TO BE DISMISSED. POLICE TRAINING IS A CRUCIAL COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM, AS IT SENSITIZES OFFICERS TO PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY VICTIMS AND ADVISES THEM TO PROCEDURES REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE LAW REGARDING BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. (RCB)