Vermont Council on Domestic Violence
WHEREAS, domestic violence in Vermont directly affects the lives of thousands of citizens, especially Vermont’s children, each year; and
WHEREAS, the State of Vermont is committed to protecting the lives and the physical and emotional health of Vermont citizens; and
WHEREAS, the Judicial and Executive branches of the State of Vermont recognize that, although they are appropriately constitutionally and administratively separate, closer communication and coordination between them is necessary in order to serve families victimized by violence; and
WHEREAS, the Executive and Judicial branches of the State of Vermont recognize that the most effective way to eliminate domestic violence from Vermont is to educate every Vermont community to accept responsibility for ending violence in the family; and
WHEREAS, there is a need for the Executive branch to provide Vermont’s children and adults who live in violent households with protection from abuse and access to coordinated services from the social services, law enforcement and legal systems; and
WHEREAS, there is a need to provide Vermont citizens and members of the civil and criminal justice, and health and social services systems with consistent information and education on the emotional and physical impacts of domestic violence on children and the psychology of victims and offenders, as well as available legal remedies and available services.
NOW THEREFORE, I, James H. Douglas, as Governor, by virtue of the authority vested in me, do hereby create the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence.
The Council shall assist the community domestic violence task forces in their efforts to eliminate domestic violence by facilitating the coordination of services and the sharing of information. The Council shall provide a forum for the discussion of strategies for improving the statewide coordinated response to domestic violence and addressing systemic obstacles to victim safety and offender accountability.
In the implementation of its charge, the Council may consider:
- being responsive to the needs identified by the community domestic violence task forces;
- providing safety for victims of domestic violence, and continuing support for survivors;
- promoting effective prevention, intervention and treatment techniques;
- fostering community responsibility for preventing domestic violence;
- studying and evaluating the needs, priorities, programs, policies and accessibility of services relating to domestic violence throughout the state;
- reviewing and evaluating programs of coordinated responses to domestic violence in other states in order to develop a recommended model for implementation by county task forces in Vermont;
- evaluating and monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of current laws, rules, agency policies and procedures;
- identifying systemic obstacles and making recommendations for solutions, whether practical, procedural or legal in nature, including the development, initiation and coordination of domestic violence legislation and rules, as necessary;
- providing technical assistance and training for county domestic violence task forces; and
- making recommendations for education and training on the emotional and physical impacts of domestic violence on children and the psychology of victims and offenders, as well as available legal remedies and available services.
The Council shall consist of the following:
Members appointed by the Governor for terms of two years:
One member of the public who shall be a survivor of domestic violence;
a representative of the Victim Assistance Program;
a representative of the Vermont State Police;
a municipal police officer;
a representative of the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association;
a health care provider;
a mental health professional;
a representative of the Vermont Coalition of Batterer Intervention Services; a representative from the same-sex domestic violence service provider community;
a representative from the deaf and disability service provider community;
a substance abuse prevention specialist;
a social worker;
a member of the business community;
a member of the media;
a representative from the Department of State’s Attorneys;
a prosecutor from one of the STOP Domestic Violence Units;
a member of the Vermont clergy; and
an educator.
Members appointed by the Chief Justice of the Vermont Supreme Court:
Five members of the Judiciary, one of whom may be a magistrate, one of whom may be a side judge, and one of whom may be a court manager;
one guardian ad litem;
a representative of Vermont Legal Aid; and
a representative of the Vermont Bar experienced in family law.
Legislative Members to be appointed as follows:
One member of the House, to be appointed by the Speaker of the House; and
one member of the Senate, to be appointed by the Committee on Committees.
Ex-Officio Members as follows:
The Secretary of Human Services, or designee;
the Commissioner of the Department for Children & Families, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Health, or designee; the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, or designee; the Defender General, or designee;
the Attorney General, or designee;
the Executive Director of the Vermont Center for Crime Victims Services, or designee;
the Coordinator of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, or designee;
the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Training Council, or designee;
the Executive Director of the Vermont Commission on Women, or designee; and
a representative from each county task force.
The Council shall meet periodically to perform its business. The Governor shall designate two members to serve as co-chairs. The Council shall be authorized, in accordance with 32 V.S.A. § 5(a), to apply for and receive such Federal and other grants and funds as may be available. The Council shall make an annual report to the Governor, the Supreme Court and the people of the State of Vermont.
This Executive Order supersedes and replaces Executive Order No. 11-07 (codified as No. 15-7), which sunsets on July 1, 2006. The Council created by this order, however, shall be a continuation of and successor to the Council established by Executive Order No. 11-07. Members of the Council on the effective date of this order shall continue to serve until the expiration of their terms and may be re-appointed.
This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing and shall expire on July 1, 2012.
Witness my name hereunto subscribed and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont hereunto affixed at Montpelier this 29th day of June, A.D. 2006.
James H. Douglas, Governor
By the Governor:
Jason G. Gibbs, Secretary of Civil and Military Affairs
Executive Order No. 04-06