District Attorney’s Office Hires Two Domestic Violence Experts

The Comal County District Attorney’s Office last week announced it has hired two new employees to help fight domestic violence.

Grants from the U.S. Justice Department and the Texas Office of the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Division funded the appointment of Violence Against Women Prosecutor Olivia Ghiselli and Victims Assistance Coordinator Kelly Suiter.

The two will work with victims of sexual assault, stalking, and intimate-partner and family-violence crimes.

Ghiselli, an Indiana native who graduated from Notre Dame’s law school, worked in the Sexual Assault and Domesstic Violence Division at the Elkhart, Indiana County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and for the Cook County State Attorney’s Office in Chicago.

“Part of my decision to come to Texas was the lure of sunshine and tacos, but what really excited me about coming to New Braunfels was the opportunity to take on this specific role as a Violence Against Women Prosecutor,” she said. “The opportunity to work on both civil protections and criminal prosecutions on behalf of victims is a chance to provide full-coverage safety options for some of the most vulnerable individuals in Comal County. This role combines my passion of working on behalf of victims and my legal skill set.”

Missouri native Suiter served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, working at Lackland AFB and Brooks Army Medical Center.

She said she fell in love with Texas and decided to make it her home.

Suiter previously worked at the Comal County Crisis Center as a legal advocate and sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) coordinator, leading the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART).

“I’m very excited for this new opportunity and the chance to work with victims throughout the process,” she said. “From the initial report to obtaining a protective order and through the conclusion of the criminal case, I strive to provide a consistent support system during a difficult time.”