CREATING A COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
York County’s Domestic Violence Task Force is a coalition of community members who have come together to work in partnership to stop domestic violence in York County. The group provides leadership in developing and implementing a coordinated community response that effectively promotes safety for victims, holds abusers accountable, and demonstrates that domestic violence will not be tolerated in York County. In addition to Caring Unlimited advocates and formerly battered women, the task force working membership includes individuals from diverse segments of the York County community including law enforcement, the courts, service providers, the schools, health care and mental health providers, children’s services, batterer’s intervention program staff and others.

Since it first meeting of five individuals in 1998, YCDVTF has made extraordinary progress in its critical early work of opening communication among agencies and organizations county-wide. The group has expanded from its original five members to include nearly fifty working members who meet regularly in five smaller groups. A mission statement has been adopted and group values regarding domestic violence have been clarified. A Steering Committee and four sub-committees including Victims Services, Law Enforcement, Courts and Prevention have been formed; and the work of building a truly coordinated community response to domestic violence is well underway!

In March 2000 the subcommittees reported their recommendations for a five-year plan to the full membership. During the next year these recommendations were integrated into a Strategic Plan for Effectively Responding to Domestic Violence in York County that was released to the public at a county-wide conference on February 1, 2001. Funded by a S.T.O.P. Violence Against Women Grant from Maine’s Department of Safety, the task force is now in the process of implementing the changes and initiatives contained in the Plan. (For a copy of YCDVTF’s Five Year Plan please contact Caring Unlimited at (207) 490-3227 x105).

The task force is always looking for new members. If you, or someone you know is interested in joining this effort, please contact CU’s Community Response Program at 490-3227 x105.