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…
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…
This week, MCEDV released our first annual Impact Report, which details and celebrates our accomplishments in areas related to housing for survivors, financial empowerment, firearms relinquishment, and more. The report was released as part of Domestic Violence Day at the Statehouse, where we were joined by partners in the movement to end domestic abuse, supporters…
We have been selected to receive a $550,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to implement a Justice for Families (JFF) program in Maine. Twenty-five other programs across the country have also received funding to implement their own JFF projects. Maine’s three-year grant will help establish free supervised visitation and safe exchange services in…
On July 11, MCEDV’s Francine Garland Stark and Andrea Mancuso joined other state domestic violence coalitions at the White House, alongside survivors of gun violence and family members of those killed by firearms, to recognize passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act is the first substantial federal legislation in decades…
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas introduced the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2018. The Violence Against Women Act first passed with bipartisan support in 1994. Since then, each iteration has included important improvements that expand the safety net for survivors with the range of crimes covered by the law, including domestic abuse, dating…
Domestic abuse and violence is a pattern of controlling behavior in the context of a current or former relationship. One person purposefully seeks to limit the rights of their partner. The actions of the abusive person are purposeful and chosen. They are based on a belief system that tells them they are entitled to privilege…
Are you someone who cares about young people? Maybe you are a parent, coach, teacher, faith leader, or policy maker. Are you a young person yourself? Whoever you are, this Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month tells us why you care about ending teen dating abuse, and why you take action to foster healthy…
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 26th, Francine Garland Stark, executive director of the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence (MCEDV), was named the 2025 recipient of the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s (NNEDV) Diane Reese Excellence in Advocacy in the Movement (DREAM) Award, honoring four decades of advocacy, mentorship, and transformative leadership in the…
Watch the interview with MCEDV executive director Francine Garland Stark and York County survivor Ceci on WGME’s Spotlight on ME series. Domestic abuse is one of Maine’s biggest issues. Annually, nearly half of the state’s homicides are perpetrated by a family member or current or former partner of the victim. Since the 1970s, Maine has…
