The mission of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence is to advise the Governor on how to help individuals, children, and families of the Commonwealth live a life free of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Governor's Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
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About Us
The Council is chaired by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito and puts forth recommendations to advise the Governor on how to help individuals, children, and families of the Commonwealth live a life free of sexual assault and domestic violence. The Council’s goals are to improve prevention for all, enhance support for those impacted by sexual assault and domestic violence, and hold perpetrators accountable. The Council identified five priority areas and created accompanying subcommittees—Veterans, Military, and Families; Assessment and Response; Housing Stability and Self-Sufficiency; Human Trafficking; and Prevention and Education. The subcommittees review existing laws and programs and provide recommendations for improvement. The Council was reaffirmed and reconstituted by Executive Order No. 586.
For an emergency or if you need immediate help: Call the Safelink Hotline at 877-785-2020 (Advocates available in Portuguese, Spanish and Creole, as well as access to a language line with up to 130 languages)
RESPECTfully Public Awareness Campaign
The Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence - in partnership with the Executive Office of Health and Human Services and the Massachusetts State Legislature—is launching its first statewide public awareness and prevention campaign in more than twenty years to promote healthy relationships among middle and high schoolers. Launching the week of May 26th, “RESPECTfully,” aims to increase awareness of what constitutes a healthy relationship, emphasizes the need for respect in relationships, and helps teens identify the escalating behaviors that lead to unhealthy and unsafe relationships. Please consider ordering RESPECTfully campaign materials from the Massachusetts Health Promotion Clearinghouse, provided free of charge.
Council Reports And Documents
Council's Biennial Report, 2019-2020
Presented on Wednesday, December 9, 2020
2018 End-Of-Term Report: Governor's Council To Address Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence
Presented on Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Report on the Status of Chapter 260 of the Acts of 2014 An Act Relative to Domestic Violence
Presented on December 9, 2015.
Council's Military, Veterans and Families Work Group Regional Resource Guide
Domestic Violence Toolkit
The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Housing Resources Handbook
Recommended DVAW Policies And Procedures For Police
Recommended MOU For Partnering Agencies
Recommended Roles And Responsibilities For Partnering Agencies
Other Resources
Find Your Closest Rape Crisis Center
These Rape Crisis Centers offer FREE services for adolescent and adult sexual assault survivors - and for people who care about survivors of all ages.
Massachusetts Office For Victim Assistance (MOVA)
Jane Doe Inc. (statewide SA/DV coalition)