| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kelly Taft
Communications Manager
(602) 452-5020 MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council:
Making a Difference for 10 YearsPHOENIX (September 24, 2009) — It was just over a decade ago that the violent murder of a Valley mother galvanized the community, resulting in the creation of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Regional Domestic Violence Council and providing the first forum where voices from across the region could come together to address domestic violence issues. Since its formation in 1999, the MAG Regional Domestic Violence Council has taken significant steps toward resolving many of the issues surrounding domestic violence. The Council will commemorate its 10-year anniversary and launch October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month by holding a news conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at the Sojourner Center, the largest domestic violence shelter in the state.The news conference will include a review of the Domestic Violence Council’s progress to date and a discussion of the important work still to be done. Visuals will include a three-dimensional timeline of progress and a shelter unit will be available to tour. (Note: Address will be provided upon RSVP. All attendees must sign a confidentiality agreement.) The Sojourner Center was just one of a number of shelters without an adequate number of beds in February 1998 when a mother was brutally stabbed to death by her husband in front of her children after being unable to find a shelter that could accommodate her six children. Sojourner has been one of many voices at the MAG table successfully working to increase the number of shelter beds in the region. During the press conference, another mother of six who experienced domestic abuse will share her story of successfully seeking shelter with her children—demonstrating how far the region has come. “For the past 10 years, we have been working hard to end domestic violence in this region, partnering with service providers, law enforcement, public and private agencies, and many other caring individuals to address the complex issues surrounding domestic violence,” said Domestic Violence Council Chair Diane Enos, who is also president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. “Whether you are talking about shelter, prevention, safety, justice, or victim services, we have made some amazing progress,” Enos said. “Yet we have much work to do going forward. Domestic violence is an enormous threat to our communities, and we are setting ambitious goals for addressing this issue.” During the course of their lifetime, one in four women will be victims of domestic abuse. Along with the human toll, studies have found that intimate partner violence costs our nation billions of dollars each year. For additional information or to arrange media coverage, please contact Kelly Taft, MAG Communications Manager, at (602) 452-5020. # # # |
