MCEDV Editorial: Domestic violence homicides call us to persist and strengthen efforts to end abuse
October 22, 2024
By Regina Rooney and Katie Matzell — Read the editorial in the Sun Journal website
Regina Rooney (left) and Katie Matzell (right)
Virginia Cookson. Lacey Tidswell. Lisa Bailey. Jennifer Bailey. These are the names of Mainers recently killed by men in their lives — former partners, spouses, fathers — who were supposed to care for them.
The killings have coincided with the beginning of October, recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we hear communities wondering what is being done to address the issue of domestic abuse in our state and to prevent future homicides in our communities.
The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence has been working to make survivors of abuse safer and hold abusive people to account since 1977. We work at the statewide level to improve how Maine’s systems support survivors and implement effective strategies to stop people from continuing to act abusively without appropriate consequence. At the local level, our 10 members throughout the state have decades of collective experience in assisting individual survivors and their children to find safety.
MCEDV released its 2024 Impact Report on Oct. 1, detailing areas of progress and success. For example, the report describes the strategy of advocate-initiated contact, built on collaboration with law enforcement, courts, child protective services, and certified domestic violence intervention programs. Most people helped by one of MCEDV’s regional domestic violence resource centers connect with advocates by making a call to the helpline, but advocate-initiated contact allows advocates to directly and safely reach out to survivors who are engaged with key system partners.
In 2023, DVRC advocates helped 15,147 people across Maine. Of that, 12,706 were directly affected by domestic abuse and violence. Fifty percent of survivors had at least one child in the home. Notably, 3,758 survivors that regional DVRCs helped were reached through advocate-initiated contact, representing 30% of all survivors who worked with these programs in 2023.
“Calling the helpline is the way that most survivors first contact an advocate, and that call can connect them to other critical resources: safety planning, legal services, financial help, safe shelter, housing assistance, and more. But some people don’t know about us, or they are too afraid to call. Advocate initiated contact allows us to safely reach out and make that initial connection, so that more survivors can get the support they need,” said Francine Garland Stark, executive director at MCEDV.
The Impact Report follows on the release of the 131st Legislative Review, which describes advances in the 131st Legislature that impact survivors of abuse in Maine and Gov. Janet Mills issuing her official proclamation of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“Domestic violence is a serious injustice that will impact one in four women and one in seven men in their lifetime. If you are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone — help is available through the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence and the statewide domestic violence helpline,” said Mills. “During Domestic Violence Awareness month and throughout the year, I urge all Maine people to join me in standing in support of those affected by domestic abuse, challenging the behavior of abusive people, and transforming belief systems that allow abuse to thrive.”
Throughout October, domestic violence programs across Maine have been and will be hosting various events and campaigns, honoring survivors and encouraging communities to move beyond awareness and act to end domestic abuse. But the work to end domestic violence doesn’t belong to October alone.
Every day, advocates are supporting individuals and families who are in crisis due to abuse. We are listening to survivors, helping them strategize to find a safe path to safety, and drawing on what we hear from across the state to create changes in how Maine’s systems work. We are building relationships with community partners so that we can help them respond more effectively — and they, in turn, can help us do the same. And we are fighting for the resources needed to sustain our organizations, because even though the demand has never been higher for domestic violence services, the funding we depend on to sustain those services is uncertain.
The Impact Report highlights just some of our efforts to address abuse in Maine. We have made real progress since survivors and their loved ones started our movement 50 years ago … and yet there is still more to do. There could be no more powerful reminder than these recent homicides. Virginia, Lacey, Lisa, Jennifer, and all of those we’ve lost to the actions of abusive people should be with us today. It’s in their names we continue our work.
If you or someone you know needs help, reach a local advocate in your area by calling the statewide Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-866-834-4357. Deaf or hard of hearing? Call 1-800-437-1220.
Regina Rooney is programming director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence, and Katie Matzell is its communications coordinator.