This winter, both the Maine Legislature and the Maine Law Court acted to protect a strong statutory response to stalking crimes in our state. Last June, the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Counterman v. Colorado raised constitutional questions about some of Maine’s statutes, including our stalking statute.  The decision immediately resulted in litigation in Maine’s courts. Since then, MCEDV has worked with our community partners to advocate that the Maine Law Court make clear that an abusive person’s repeated communications to a victim is conduct that is not protected by the 1st Amendmen ..read more

On January 23, 2024, Maine survivors shared their stories with the Legislature’s Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary as part of the Public Hearing on LD 2084: An Act to Provide Funding for Essential Services for Victims of Crime. Survivors spoke and wrote about how important services provided by domestic violence programs have been to them, and what they fear will happen, should those services not continue to be available in the future due to a 60% cut in funding from the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). MCEDV has compiled quotes and excerpts from their testimonies here. Maine’s network ..read more

MCEDV is hiring for two positions, a Development Director and a Communications Specialist. Find the full details about the jobs in the descriptions above. To apply, email resume and letter regarding the alignment of the applicant’s experience and skills with the requirements of these jobs to francine@mcedv.org. Put “Application for Development Director” or “Application for Communications Specialist” in the subject line. Applications are due by February 5, 2024, with the search remaining open until the positions are filled. The post MCEDV Hiring for Development Director, Communications Speciali ..read more

Governor Janet Mills addresses the press, backed by members of the Maine Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel, at a press conference in the Hall of Flags. The Maine Domestic Abuse Homicide Review Panel released its 14th biennial report yesterday at a press conference at the State House. Speakers included Governor Janet Mills, Attorney General Aaron Frey, Assistant Attorney General Lisa Marchese, and MCEDV Executive Director Francine Garland Stark. The Panel, comprised of professionals from multiple systems and state agencies, reviews cases of domestic violence homicide, and sometimes cases whe ..read more

By Kelly O’Connor, MCEDV Systems Advocacy Director   The second cohort of victim services professionals completed the Maine Victim Assistance Academy (MVAA) after attending the Fall 2023 MVAA Closing Summit in Auburn on December 4th and 5th.   This year, participants included:   Victim Witness Advocates representing eight different prosecutors’ offices, one tribal court, and the U.S. Attorney’s office.  Systems based advocates from the Deptartment of Corrections.    Community based advocates representing six domestic violence resource centers ..read more

https://www.mcedv.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/1013_2023_mcedv_grey_rock_final_version_03-1080p.mp4   This October, MCEDV is launching a new new short film that amplifies survivors’ voices and experiences, and builds awareness of domestic abuse and violence and the resources that are available to survivors in Maine.  The film, produced by Emmy-nominated GoodFight Media, also serves as a call to action, inviting Mainers to support survivors and join the movement to end domestic violence in Maine. It highlights a reality that is deeply misunderstood: domestic violence is deeply roote ..read more

MCEDV and our member programs recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Domestic violence programs across Maine will host a variety of events and campaigns, honoring survivors and encouraging communities to move beyond awareness and take action to end domestic abuse. Below is just some of what will be happening, from Wells to St. Agatha and everywhere in between. Follow MCEDV and your local domestic violence program directly for the most up-to-date information. Caring Unlimited Survivor Stories Project – October 25th, Wells Follow on Facebook and Instagram  ..read more

by Kelly O’Connor, MCEDV Training Institute Director In a country and a state where the sheer number of firearms boggles the mind, taking a pragmatic approach to reducing the risk for gun violence – and in particular, the risk for domestic violence homicide and serious injury – is paramount. Since the guns themselves are not going away anytime soon, the question of access to – or possession of – firearms is a critical one. The Coalition, and indeed the state of Maine[1] and the United States government[2], agree that people who commit domestic abuse and violence crimes should be prohibited fro ..read more

Throughout MCEDV’s network there are many people working and volunteering who are survivors themselves, and still more who have other kinds of personal experience of domestic abuse and other forms of violence. In a new video compilation, MCEDV is highlighting the faces and voices of just some of these folks. Watch the video here. “We are proud to recognize the many survivors who are working every day to support other survivors in Maine,” says Regina Rooney, MCEDV Education & Communications Director. “We often don’t lead with these stories, because as advocates we are focused on centering ..read more

MCEDV is growing our administrative team! If you have strong organizational skills and a numbers brain, AND you want to be part of an organization that believes deeply that financial administration plays a key role in our change agenda, check out our listings: Finance Director Contract Administrator Office Manager & Bookkeeper Applications are due June 18. See listings for full details. The post MCEDV is Hiring: Seeking Mission-Focused Applicants to Join Admin Team appeared first on Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence ..read more