Mission
The Council advises the Governor on strategies—prevention, survivor support, and perpetrator accountability—to prevent and address sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking.
Purpose
The Council aims to improve statewide efforts against sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking by identifying and facilitating the implementation of efficient and effective best practices across state agencies.
History
Massachusetts has long recognized the critical importance of addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Over the past three decades, executive orders have established and evolved a high-level council to provide expert guidance and recommendations to the state's governors and key cabinet members.
1990: Initial Legislative Action
Under Governor Michael Dukakis, the legislature created a specialized committee to advise the Secretary of Public Safety on developing law enforcement response policies for domestic violence cases.
1992: Governor Weld's Commission
Governor William Weld re-established a commission within the Executive Office of Public Safety to broadly advise the administration on preventing and addressing domestic violence across the state.
1993: Expanded Mandate
Governor Weld expanded the commission's scope to encompass all aspects of domestic violence, recognizing its complex, multifaceted nature. Subsequent orders under Governors Romney, Patrick, and Baker refined the council's role and positioned it within the Governor's Office.
2023: Executive Order No. 611
Governor Maura Healey issued Executive Order No. 611, reaffirming and reconstituting the council with an expanded mandate to address human trafficking, in addition to domestic violence and sexual assault.
Leadership and Structure
Executive Leadership
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll leads the Council, and Vilma Uribe serves as its executive director. Together, they ensure that its initiatives thrive and make a meaningful impact on survivors across the state.
Operational Structure
The Council operates through seven specialized subcommittees: Assessment and Response, Early Interventions, Economic Mobility, Housing Stability, Human Trafficking, Military, Veterans, and Families, and RESPECTfully. Six subcommittees develop policy and programmatic recommendations, while the RESPECTfully subcommittee implements a youth-focused campaign promoting healthy relationships. Each subcommittee meets monthly and consists of appointed members and subject matter experts who review current policies and resources to develop strategic recommendations addressing gender-based violence in Massachusetts. This report highlights the recommendations of the six subcommittees changed with providing recommendations.
Membership Composition
The Governor's Council (GCSADVHT) includes three types of members: public members appointed by the Governor for two-year unpaid advisory terms, ex officio members who are state officials serving during their term in office, and subcommittee members who are experts invited by leadership to contribute specialized knowledge.
Subcommittee Descriptions
Assessment & Response
The Assessment and Response Subcommittee's mission is to recommend ways to improve criminal justice and community-based responses to address and reduce domestic violence. This includes developing and implementing protocols for assessing domestic violence and strangulation in law enforcement responses, improving the practices of high-risk teams, and making recommendations for reducing domestic violence homicides.
Co-chairs: Courtney Cahill, David Adams
Early Interventions
The Early Interventions Subcommittee's mission is to address the needs of children and youth exposed to sexual assault, domestic violence, and human trafficking in Massachusetts through targeted recommendations and program development. This includes identifying service gaps, developing evidence-based interventions across developmental stages, and implementing trauma-informed referral systems to increase safety and well-being for children and families across all communities.
Co-chairs: Tim Cruz (Designee: Jennifer Cantwell), Stephanie Howard
Economic Mobility
The Economic Mobility Subcommittee's mission is to enhance economic success for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence through improved resource access and support systems. This includes analyzing benefits cliff impacts, developing workforce opportunities, and implementing trauma-informed approaches to ensure equitable economic advancement for survivors across Massachusetts.
Co-chairs: Alix Boren, Frank Zona
Housing Stability
The Housing Stability Subcommittee's mission is to develop and implement comprehensive housing solutions for survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual violence. This includes expanding training for advocates and housing providers, increasing available housing resources, and recommending policy changes to strengthen housing protections and stability for survivors.
Co-chairs: David Eng, Kara Pillsbury, Stephanie Brown
Human Trafficking
The Human Trafficking Subcommittee's mission is to develop and coordinate comprehensive responses to both labor and sex trafficking in Massachusetts. This includes bringing together expert stakeholders, developing survivor support systems, and implementing solutions that address trafficking prevention, intervention, and recovery across all communities. The Human Trafficking subcommittee is divided into two arms: labor trafficking and sex trafficking. Each works independently while coordinating efforts.
Labor Trafficking
The Labor Trafficking arm of the Human Trafficking Subcommittee is a group of experts from across Massachusetts. Its mission is to develop solutions that support victims of labor trafficking in the state.
Co-chairs: Emily Leung, Hanni Stoklosa, Heather Rowe
Sex Trafficking
The Sex Trafficking arm of the Human Trafficking Subcommittee is a group of experts from across Massachusetts. Its mission is to develop solutions that support victims of sex trafficking in the state.
Co-chairs: Glenn Daly, Lisa Goldblatt Grace, Gina Kwon (Designee: Lisbeth Pimentel)
Military, Veterans, and Families
The Military, Veterans, and Families Subcommittee's mission is to ensure comprehensive domestic violence and sexual violence services for military members, veterans, and their families in Massachusetts. This includes coordinating with advocates and stakeholders to develop accessible prevention programs and response services tailored to military-connected populations.
Co-chairs: Ro Trionfi-Mazzuchelli, Tamara Thompson
RESPECTFully
The RESPECTfully Subcommittee's mission is to develop and implement youth-focused healthy relationship education in Massachusetts. This includes creating age-appropriate campaign materials, coordinating with schools and youth organizations, and promoting violence prevention through positive relationship behaviors across all communities.