NCJ Number
200993
Date Published
2003
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report outlines the mission of the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board and presents the initiatives that have been launched to reduce and prevent violence against women.
Abstract
In 1978 the State Legislature created the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board to lead statewide efforts to eliminate violence against women in Michigan. The seven member Board is responsible for funding, coordinating, and monitoring violence prevention programs and services for victims of domestic violence, developing standards for domestic violence services, providing planning and technical assistance, and advising the legislature and governor on domestic violence issues. One of the most critical accomplishments of the Board was the Violence Against Women Act, which was approved by Congress in 1994 and provides critical safeguards for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Furthermore, in 1999, Governor John Engler created the Michigan Domestic Violence Homicide Prevention Task Force in response to the growing number of Michigan women murdered as a result of domestic violence. The Task Force works to increase education and public awareness about domestic homicide and to create uniform standards for reporting and tracking domestic violence crimes and offenders. Finally, the Board continues to collaborate with State agencies to improve services to victims and to prevent domestic violence. Finally, this report outlines the ongoing initiatives that receive State and Federal funding, administered by the Board. Some of these initiatives are the Stop Violence Against Women Grants, Rape Prevention and Services Grants, and the Rural Domestic Violence Grants.