Domestic Violence Advisory Board

1. Domestic ViolenceAdvisory Board 2008 Annual Report Presented to the Board of County Commissioner April 7, 2009

2. Mecklenburg County Definition of Domestic Violence We define domestic violence as occurring when one person in an intimate relationship attempts to gain coercive power and control over the other by using physical, emotional/verbal, sexual or material force. This abuse takes place within a system of power and control and is not an isolated incident. Mecklenburg County DV Leadership Team, 2008

3. DVAB Board Members New Appointees • Joe Marinello • Debra Wideman • Jackie Dienemann • Wanda Mobley Continuing • Marage Blakeney, Chair • Julie Owens , Co-Chair • Tyyawdi Hands County Commissioner Jennifer Roberts Term expired during 2008 • Rona Karacaova • Morgan Cromwell • Patricia Kelly

4. TheMecklenburg County Domestic Violence Advisory Board (DVAB) has been charged with: Reviewing and evaluating Charlotte and Mecklenburg CountyDomestic Violence services

5. Police and Sherriff Police responded to 31,758 calls to 911 for DV 2,142 Protection Orders Received by Sheriff’s Office

6. 11DV related homicides in Mecklenburg in 2008(84 total in NC) DV Related Homicides

7. Other Sources Indicating DV is a Serious Problem in Charlotte Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services: Women applying for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families An increase of 4% in number of Screening Positive for Domestic Violence Department of Social Services, Youth and Family Services: Child Protective Services 13% Referrals with DV as a factor Youth Risk Behavior Survey in CMS Schools by CDC biennial Survey 2007 Positive responses to DV item increased to 10.7%

8. 2006 DV Audit Study done to Identify seriousness of DV problem in the City and County  no central data collection or standardized definitions. Assess adequacy of DV Related Services and Degree they were coordinated Compare Charlotte/Mecklenburg level of services with other similar cities. BOCC and City have supported changes to improve data collection through a data warehouse Convene DV Leadership Team Improve services through - integrate Community Support Services and preserve Women’s Commission Support Hotel shelter rooms until additional shelter beds available

9. Domestic Violence Services ProvidedbyMultiple AgenciesPrivate, County, City, Volunteer

10. Emergency Shelter DV Clients • 502 women/children weresheltered & counseled at UFS 29 bed Shelter (150 days at capacity) • 696 women/children hotel room shelter through UFS/CSS collaboration • 283 women/children no shelter available in Mecklenburg County

11. Victim Assistance by United Family Services • 1261victims were assisted with applying for domestic violence protective orders • 3297victims were accompanied to court, perpetrator charged • 3011victims were provided with telephone counseling

12. Counseling for DV Victims • Women’s Commission Provided: • 1,556 women individual in-person counseling • 4,915womentelephone counseling • 1,152children telephone counseling • 796 children/teens counseling in support groups • United Family Services Provided: • 671 women individual in-person counseling (in addition to those in shelter)

13. LEGAL SERVICES TO VICTIMS • Issues DV, custody, financial child support, divorce, restraining order hearing. • Legal Aid of North Carolina advised/ represented 308 victims through 12/09/08 • Legal Services of Southern Piedmont had 1 counselor to assist Spanish Speaking low income DV victims. • UFS new grant to hire 29 hour/week attorney to recruit pro bono lawyers, supervise law interns, represent in court.

14. Abuser Intervention There are two state certified abuser intervention programs in Mecklenburg County: • NOVA (New Options for Violent Actions) screened 661 new clients and served 1003 clients in accountability groups • The Be There Group/ IMPACT- screened 48 new clients and served 43 clients in accountability groups.

15. DVAB IS CHARGED TO: Provide vigorous advocacy for domestic violence victims Play a role in increasing public awareness and education pertaining to the problems and related costs of domestic violence within the community

16. DVAB Collaborates • DV Advocacy Council to increase public awareness about DV in Char/Meck. • Communicates with DV Leadership Team to support goals. • Women's Commission/United Family Services advocacy and public awareness initiatives • Women’s Summit, Violence Against Women Task Force conference

17. DV Advocacy Council • Hosted monthly “lunch and learn” seminars • Organized a Candlelight Vigil • Organized the 3rd annual domestic violence memorial tree service in uptown Charlotte • Held DV homicide awareness marches in uptown Charlotte • Weekly email about training and public awareness events.

18. DVAC Priorities Carried over from 2007 • a larger shelter facility • transitional housing • a domestic violence coordinator position • geographically diverse services • culturally and linguistically competent services at all agencies • a child exchange and supervised visitation program • prevention programs in the schools and community • system of data collection across domestic violence agencies NEW Adoption by the DA of the use of evidence-based (“victimless”) prosecution practices for all domestic violence cases, so avoid dismissals when the victim does not appear to testify

19. DVAB IS CHARGED TO: MAKE APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS (BOCC) AND THE CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL

20. DVAB2008 Recommendations • Continue to support planning for a new DV emergency shelter(s) and DV transitional housing • Convene a working group to develop a plan for providing shelter nowfor every victim who needs it • Create a City/County DV Coordinator position to coordinate DV services to meet the needs of the city/county • Establish a supervised visitation/child exchange center

21. Thank you For your work to make our city and county safer.