Federal Litigation Efforts are Protecting Victim Services Funding to Maine MCEDV is grateful for the efforts of Maine’s Attorney General and 20 of our partner state domestic violence and sexual assault coalitions across the country who have initiated legal challenges to persistent, unlawful actions taken by federal agencies this year that threaten essential federal victim…
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…
MCEDV’s Amanda Taisey and Safe Voices’ Tori Delinas will offer a virtual Mental Health Training on January 11 & 13. Day One: Module 1&2 | February 11, 2025 | 9:00 – 4:30 Day Two: Module 3&4 | February 13, 2025 | 9:00 – 4:30 Register HERE. This training consists of four modules offered over two…
Yesterday, MCEDV, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Pine Tree Legal Assistance, Legal Services for Maine Elders, legislators, advocates, and survivors held a rally and press conference at the Maine State House in support of funding for victims’ services in Maine. Senator Anne Carney, sponsor of a bill to ensure the continuation of state funds…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
October is nationally recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, domestic violence programs across Maine will host a variety of events and campaigns, exploring what safety really means for people experiencing domestic abuse and violence. Below is a partial list of those efforts. Please follow your local domestic violence program directly for the most…
