The father of a young woman whose murder made national headlines is now working to prevent similar tragedies across the country and here in New York.

Joe Petito, 46, is behind a growing nationwide push to change the way police handle domestic violence calls by requiring they ask and take note of several questions to gauge if a victim’s life could be in danger.

“These are questions that are asked in a conversational manner anyway so all they’re being asked to do is have that same conversation using these questions in this format. Then you score the answers. If the answer is yes to any of the questions, it’s supposed to trigger a call to an advocate,” Petito says.

Petito’s daughter, Gabby, was bludgeoned and strangled by her boyfriend in Wyoming in 2021 after an earlier call to police for help. The case, and police body camera video of their encounter with Petito shortly before she was murdered, made national headlines and raised questions about how police handle domestic violence situations.

“This is the next step when it comes to domestic violence,” says Petito. It’s really about doing the right thing.”

Petito is working with New York Sen. Rob Rolison on a law that would require police ask a victim eleven questions when responding to calls for help, such as has an intimate partner tried to strangle them or threaten them with a weapon.

At least 39 states around the country already have passed a similar law, and several municipalities and counties in New York already voluntarily assess for lethality, including Westchester and Dutchess counties.

“Certain things happen before you get there that you need to really understand so that survivor has the ability to make really good, sound decisions on their safety and their family’s safety,” says Rolison. “Assessing danger for someone who is intimately involved with a person who could be a repeat offender, who could cause more serious harm and even death, is important.”

The legislation passed twice in the state Senate, but Rolison says it’s being held up in the state Assembly.

“The state needs to adopt this measurement, so individuals have more power over their own lives,” says Rolison. “Taking that first step to call and then having this information that you can now look at with your advocate and law enforcement to say, OK, this is worse than I thought it was. I didn’t see it.”

Domestic violence advocates across the state widely support the proposed law.

“Equipping officers with training and the ability to assess for risk and lethality support enhancing victim safety and connecting victims to services like Fearless,” says the domestic violence agency’s director Kellyann Kostyal-Larrier. “Giving officers the tools and training allow them to express to victims and survivors how the abusive partner’s behaviors may be escaping an increasing risk and potential lethality.”

Petito says a recent study found implementing the questions could increase a victim’s chance of survival by nearly 40%.

“Four thousand women a year could be saved. That’s a lot.”

Lawmakers will have the chance to pass the bill again next session.

If you or someone you know is struggling with domestic violence, help is available by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233.