CHARLESTON -- Law enforcement officers, court officials and victim advocates gathered inside the state supreme court chambers to celebrate nearly eighteen years of effort in creating the West Virginia Domestic Violence Registry and Database.

The system is being billed as a crucial weapon for law enforcement officers. It allows them immediate access to protective orders when responding to potentially dangerous domestic situations.

"Hopefully that will keep the responding officer, as well as the subjects contained within that petition, hopefully it will make them a little bit safer," said First Lieutenant Michael Corsaro with the West Virginia State Police.

Mingo County resident Lynn Atkinson's daughter Leanda was shot and killed by her boyfriend in May of 2004.

Atkinson says the database would not have saved her daughter but hopes it encourages other victims to seek help before it's too late.

"My daughter was not able to go down and get the DV order in the time frame that it happened. If she would have gotten the DV order and it would have been up on the system, it would have stopped him from going to the pawn shop and buying a gun right then," said Atkinson.

While the database may be long overdue, many are excited about its potential impact on West Virginia's future.

"I think it will save many lives. I think it will save both victims' lives and every bit as importantly, it will save lives of officers who are going to intervene," said Debby Weinstein, Executive Director of the Charleston-area YWCA.

The registry and database is fully operational right now in nine counties.

All 55 are expected to be included in the statewide system by this fall.