Elfreth Convenes Roundtable for Domestic Violence Awareness Month

SEVERN, MD - Yesterday, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) hosted a roundtable discussion with partners and leaders working to end domestic violence in Maryland. Elfreth has focused much of her first term on delivering legislative solutions and federal funding to address sexual assault and domestic violence. This was the second convening of this group in the Congresswoman's first term.

"When more than 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 men experience intimate partner violence, stalking, or harassment during their lifetimes, we know there is more work ahead of us. Fortunately, here in Maryland, we have dedicated, talented partners who work every day to address domestic violence in our communities. This roundtable during Domestic Violence Awareness Month allows us to come together and discuss what solutions are working and brainstorm around what more can be done to make sure everyone is safe from intimate partner violence. Whether it's delivering federal funding to nonprofits doing the work on the ground or introducing legislation that takes Maryland's proven intervention best practices nationwide, I am committed to doing everything I can in Congress to put an end to domestic violence," said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth.

Elfreth was joined at the roundtable by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, TurnAround, Ujima: National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community, the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel, and Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center's DV Program.

"Domestic violence is a public health crisis across communities in the U.S. We have an opportunity to save lives by ensuring we implement programs and healthcare practices using comprehensive data generated by research evidence. Investment in science is imperative to reduce violence and the consequences of the trauma it carries in families across generations," said Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN, Associate Professor and Director of the BRAVE Center at Johns Hopkins School of Nursing.

"Public attention may come and go, but the impact of domestic violence does not. Long after the headlines fade, survivors continue rebuilding their lives, seeking safety, healing from trauma, and finding hope for the future. Our commitment to standing with them must extend far beyond the moment of public attention," said Amanda K. Rodriguez, Esq., CEO of TurnAround.

"At the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, we know that domestic violence affects people across every community, regardless of socioeconomic status or political affiliation. Its impact extends far beyond the home, touching our healthcare systems, workplaces, schools, and communities. Addressing this issue requires leaders who recognize the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence and are committed to advancing meaningful solutions. We applaud Representative Elfreth for bringing people together, elevating this critical issue, and helping ensure that domestic violence remains a priority for policymakers and the communities they serve," said Jennifer Pollitt Hill, Executive Director of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.

"We need to work together as a whole community - across disciplines, across organizations, including health care and including researchers - to address domestic violence. We need to do: 1) primary prevention work - by working with children who witness domestic violence especially - 2) secondary prevention - helping those who are experiencing AND those who are using domestic violence get to the services and help they want early, before things get bad and 3) tertiary prevention - helping those who are severely abused get the services and help they want and those who are using severe violence against partners be "held accountable" but with interventions designed and shown with research to help them change rather than be punitive," said Jacquelyn Campbell, PhD, MSN, BSN, RN, FAAN, Professor at the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

"The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault appreciates Rep Elfreth's efforts to ensure that federal funding continues to help support sexual assault survivors and is not caught up in political crossfire," said Lisae C. Jordan, Esquire, Executive Director & Counsel of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

"We would like to thank the Congresswoman for her long standing commitment to both the YWCA and domestic violence survivors. She has been instrumental in expanding the services available to survivors through funding for emergency residential facilities, legislation/policy and connecting providers to create networks of support. The YWCA considers Congresswoman Elfreth a true partner in improving outcomes and stopping the cycle of domestic violence," said Molly Knipe, CEO, YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel County (Anne Arundel County's Comprehensive Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Service Provider).

In January of this year, Elfreth also secured $697,000 in federal funding for YWCA of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County's Rapid Rehousing and Abuser Intervention Program here in Maryland's Third District. With this funding, the YWCA will bolster its domestic violence prevention initiatives, as well as its education and rehousing resources.

Then, in February of this year, Elfreth introduced the bipartisan Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Lethality Assessment Training and Technical Assistance Act. The legislation would authorize a national training and technical assistance center to support the promotion and adoption of lethality assessment programs (LAPs) in an effort to reduce domestic violence-related homicides. The LAP is one of only two models of evidence-based intimate partner homicide prevention to be honored as a "promising practice" by the Department of Justice. Developed by the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence in 2005, the purpose of the LAP is to help law enforcement officers and community professionals identify victims of intimate partner violence who are at high risk of being killed by their partners and to connect them immediately with local domestic violence services.

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, Elfreth also secured two provisions that directly tackle sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, and stalking in the military in this year's House-passed National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The first provision authorizes $10 million to procure and implement a modern data management system for Harmful Behavior Prevention programs, which include addressing suicide, sexual assault, harassment, domestic abuse, and child abuse in the military. The second provision strengthens the Military Protective Order (MPO) process for individuals seeking protection from domestic violence, threats, harassment, and stalking. The provision requires DoD and Coast Guard commanders to decide MPO requests within three calendar days unless extraordinary circumstances exist, and to notify requesters in writing within two calendar days of a denial. Both of these reforms strengthen accountability and transparency for survivors and military families.

In total, Elfreth has hosted 12 roundtables with local stakeholders, including roundtables on education, veterans issues, the environment, child care, labor, and more.

If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

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