October is Domestic Violence Awareness MonthPeace At Hand, October 2007

A Newsletter of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence   

A Message from Deborah Chapman, Acting Director: This #1 best-selling book, Who Moved My Cheese? Dr. Spencer Johnson shares a simple, yet profound, story of four characters living in a “Maze” who face unexpected change when they discover their “Cheese” has disappeared.  Sniff and Scurry are mice.  Hem and Haw are little people the size of mice.  Who Moved My Cheese? relates their experiences as they adapt to change in their journey through the maze in search of “New Cheese”. Read more: http://www.mcedv.org/news/MessagefromActingDirectorOct.2007.htm  

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Activities vary across the state but have common themes: mourning those who have died because of domestic violence, celebrating those who have survived, and connecting those who work to end violence. To find out more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and how you can be involved visit: http://www.mcedv.org/dvam

123 Legislative Session Highlights: The first session of the 123rd Legislature was exciting and turbulent.  MCEDV developed a Domestic Violence package which included three important bills.  Find out how the package fared: http://www.mcedv.org/news/123rdLegRecap.htm

Working with Child Protective Services: In August 2006 the Coalition received an Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) Rural Domestic Violence and Child Victimization Enforcement Grant. In October of 2006 our first specially-trained domestic violence advocate began working in the Caribou Child Protective Services (CPS) office.  One year later, there are 10 advocates partnering with CPS staff in DHHS offices in all of it’s 3 regions. Read more: http://www.mcedv.org/news/CPSDV.htm  

A Call Men: 107 people gathered: 64 men and 43 women to make a commitment to ending violence against women in their communities. Read about what was decided at the gathering, find out how you can get involved or read a high school student's response to the event:  http://www.mcedv.org/news/ACalltoMen.htm

Legal Assistance for Victims Program Receives OVW Grant: MCEDV was awarded a $600,000 to continue its Maine Law Project. The money was provided through the Office on Violence Against Women - US Dept. of Justice. The supplemental grant will support existing staff attorney positions at Battered Women's Project, Caring Unlimited, Family Violence Project, New Hope for Women, and The Next Step. New project partners are Spruce Run, Abused Women's Advocacy and Family Crisis Services. The grant will allow these staff attorneys to provide civil legal representation and advice to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence.