Regional Domestic Violence Council Holds First Meeting

The Council will meet from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. on the second floor of the MAG offices, 302 N. 1st Ave., Phoenix. The task of the 35-member council will be to oversee the implementation of 41 recommendations contained in the MAG Regional Domestic Violence Plan. A summary of the recommendations is attached.

The Plan was developed following one of the Valley's bloodiest years for domestic violence. The community-wide effort pulled together more than 150 professionals and individuals, who spent four months developing the recommendations.

"The Council begins its task with a clear outline of the steps that must be taken to address domestic violence through a coordinated community response," said MAG Domestic Violence Specialist Mary Thomson. "We hope that by putting these strategies in place, we can reduce the number of domestic violence incidents in the Valley — and perhaps save lives," she said.

Thomson said the strategies contained in the plan seek to prevent violence through education, awareness and training, and to put in place a seamless, effective system of domestic violence services regionwide.

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is a regional organization that develops policies and makes decisions in areas such as transportation, air quality, water quality, solid waste and human services. MAG is made up of Valley communities working together to ensure a better quality of life for nearly three million residents in the Maricopa region. The region encompasses metropolitan Phoenix and includes the many cities, towns and Indian communities within Maricopa County. Governed by a Regional Council that includes 24 city mayors and other lead elected officials, MAG is the forum for ensuring an effective allocation of regional resources.

For more information about the meeting or to arrange interviews, please contact Kelly Taft at (602) 452-5020.