Attorney General Janet T. Mills Swears-In Domestic Violence Investigators

February 18, 2009

For Immediate Release
February 18, 2009
Contact: Kate Simmons (207) 626-8577

Attorney General Janet T. Mills Swears-In Domestic Violence Investigators

At a swearing-in ceremony today in Augusta, Attorney General Janet T. Mills granted statewide jurisdiction to 17 domestic violence investigators from across Maine. In recent years, the Office of the Attorney General has authorized domestic violence investigators to cross jurisdictional lines in order to protect survivors of domestic violence by enforcing bail conditions and protection order provisions.
?Last year, the number of homicides that involved domestic violence doubled,? said Attorney General Janet Mills. ?I have no doubt that we would have seen even more domestic violence-related homicides but for the work of these detectives who are able to operate to protect victims in all jurisdictions in the state.?

The Office of the Attorney General has determined that abusers frequently cross county lines to perpetrate abuse. When a victim escapes the abuser, the victim will often take refuge with a friend or relative who lives in another town or county. It is when a victim leaves their abuser they are at greater risk of being killed. Domestic violence investigators are able who track violent offenders and who are able to cross town and county lines to ensure that victims are safe.

?In addition to investigating abuse, we need to focus on prevention and communication,? said Attorney General Mills. ?We need to send the message to boys and young men in Maine that, ?heroes don?t hit.? It is cool to walk away and let off steam at the gym and not the kitchen. Anger is normal, but violence is not.?

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