AG Forms New Domestic Violence Unit

[verbatim] Jackson, MS*Attorney General Jim Hood kicked off National Domestic Violence Awareness month (October) today with the announcement of a newly established unit to combat Domestic Violence in Mississippi. The Domestic Violence Division of the Office of Attorney General is being funded by a two year, $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

The main purpose of the unit will be to act as a resource for law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and all other individuals or entities having legal duties related to domestic violence victims or providing services to domestic violence victims within the State of Mississippi. "What this division does is bring a cohesiveness to the state's efforts to fight domestic violence," said Attorney General Jim Hood. "Our state ranks second highest in the nation for domestic violence. That dubious distinction alone is enough to say we have to improve our efforts and that's what we are dedicated to doing."

Partnering with the Attorney General's Office in this effort are the Administrative Office of Courts, the Judicial College, the Mississippi Department of Public Safety Planning and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

"When a group of dedicated individuals and organizations make a commitment to act as one, the possibilities to create positive change are endless," said Michele Carroll, Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "With the award of this grant and the development of this program we have a truly unique opportunity to work collaboratively to end the violence. Only together do we have the strength to move forward to break the cycle of domestic violence in Mississippi."

 
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