MECASA staff serve on the following committees and policy work groups to bring provider and survivor voices statewide. If you have questions about any of the committees or groups listed below, please email us!
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Alliance for Maine Women
The Alliance for Maine Women is a broad network of organizations working to ensure that all Mainers have the economic, social, and political power to make decisions about their bodies, sexuality, health, and families—with an emphasis on securing these rights for Maine women. The Alliance for Maine Women brings together members with diverse expertise and experiences who understand that all people in Maine benefit when Maine women have the right to economic security and reproductive justice (including access to abortion), and can live their lives with agency, autonomy, and freedom from violence. Members of the Alliance for Maine Women work to achieve this through legislative and legal advocacy, community organizing, and public education. Attorney General’s Trafficking Work Group The Maine Attorney General’s Human Trafficking Work Group is a team of state and local providers representing law enforcement, service provision, and public education. The group targets statewide policy and infrastructure opportunities and provides a statewide platform for sharing local trafficking resources and coalition development. MECASA staffs this effort. |
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Dept. of Corrections Victim Advisory Group
The DOC Victim Advisory Group develops systems change proposals, legislation, and other projects designed to ensure that victims receive high-quality support and services from the DOC, and that corrections services keep victim safety as a top priority. Recent projects include legislation which created a restitution fund for elder victims of crime, a pilot project to track data about victim contact at the state and county jails, and efforts to change the victim notification system for offenders out on bail.
Justice Assistance Council
The Justice Assistance Council decides on funding for state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system. One of the funding streams for which the JAC is responsible are the STOP Violence Against Women funds which fund projects implemented by law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, and victim service providers, including Maine’s sexual assault service providers.
Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse
The Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse exists by statute and consists of thirty-four positions which are filled by gubernatorial appointment. It has existed since 1990. The Commission’s statutory charge is to “advise and assist the executive, legislative and judicial branches of State Government on issues related to domestic and sexual abuse. The commission may make recommendations on legislative and policy actions, including training of the various law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judicial officers responsible for enforcing and carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and may undertake research development and program initiatives consistent with this section.” (19-A M.R.S. § 4013(3))
Committee on Media and the Courts
This committee which is appointed by, and intended to advise, the Supreme Judicial Court was created to facilitate and improve communication between the judiciary and the media and to enhance the accuracy and flow of information made available to the public concerning Maine’s courts.
The DOC Victim Advisory Group develops systems change proposals, legislation, and other projects designed to ensure that victims receive high-quality support and services from the DOC, and that corrections services keep victim safety as a top priority. Recent projects include legislation which created a restitution fund for elder victims of crime, a pilot project to track data about victim contact at the state and county jails, and efforts to change the victim notification system for offenders out on bail.
Justice Assistance Council
The Justice Assistance Council decides on funding for state and local governments to support a broad range of activities to prevent and control crime and to improve the criminal justice system. One of the funding streams for which the JAC is responsible are the STOP Violence Against Women funds which fund projects implemented by law enforcement, prosecutors, the courts, and victim service providers, including Maine’s sexual assault service providers.
Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse
The Commission on Domestic and Sexual Abuse exists by statute and consists of thirty-four positions which are filled by gubernatorial appointment. It has existed since 1990. The Commission’s statutory charge is to “advise and assist the executive, legislative and judicial branches of State Government on issues related to domestic and sexual abuse. The commission may make recommendations on legislative and policy actions, including training of the various law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judicial officers responsible for enforcing and carrying out the provisions of this chapter, and may undertake research development and program initiatives consistent with this section.” (19-A M.R.S. § 4013(3))
Committee on Media and the Courts
This committee which is appointed by, and intended to advise, the Supreme Judicial Court was created to facilitate and improve communication between the judiciary and the media and to enhance the accuracy and flow of information made available to the public concerning Maine’s courts.
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Maine Child Welfare Advisory Panel
Maine Child Welfare Advisory Panel is committed to diverse stakeholders and being comprehensive, respectful and responsive to child and family needs, and providing an adequate framework for safe, thriving children having permanency with families and community. MCWAP is convened by the Dept. of Health and Human Services as part of the state’s requirement to convene a multidisciplinary committee under the Children’s Justice Act grant. MECASA represents the voices of sexual violence service providers and children’s advocacy centers on the committee. Maine Council for Elder Abuse Prevention MCEAP was established in 2011 in response to a recognized need for more collaboration among elder abuse resource providers. The mission of MCEAP is to create a statewide structure that collaborates and supports efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. |
Maine County & Municipal Detention Advisory Committee
This committee advises the Commissioner of Corrections on corrections standards, variances to standards sought by facilities, and responses to failures of facilities to comply with standards.
Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees
The MCJA Board consists of seventeen members, who include all levels of law enforcement, as well as non-law enforcement citizens. The duties of the Board of Trustees include: training and certification of all law enforcement and corrections officers in Maine; establishing admission and graduation standards; certification of police chiefs, sheriffs and jail administrators; other training programs considered to be beneficial to law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and other criminal justice personnel; and establishing the minimum standards for mandatory law enforcement policies. The Board is responsible for certifying instructors and courses for in-service and refresher training conducted for law enforcement and corrections personnel in Maine. The Board is also responsible for the revocation or suspension of the certification of law enforcement or corrections officers who fail to meet training standards or who engage in wrongdoing.
MaineShare
MaineShare’s mission is to provide significant support to organizations doing progressive social justice and root cause work in Maine and to raise public awareness of their work. MaineShare manages a give-at-work campaign, in which all proceeds go to a pool of over 40 statewide organizations which focus on economic opportunity and human development; human services and health education; cultural diversity and the arts; the environment; and social justice and peace. MECASA is both a member organization and a workplace-giving site; individual workplace giving donors may direct their donations to specific organizations or to all organizations equally.
National Children’s Alliance Collaborative Work Group on Public Policy
MECASA co-chairs this national advisory group which is charged with identifying, analyzing and drafting public policy strategies and developing materials and resources that streamline efforts to advocate for public policies which support the nation’s Children’s Advocacy Centers.
Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women
The Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women is a government-appointed group dedicated to improving opportunities for women and girls. As such, they advise the Governor and members of the Legislature about policy and social issues affecting women and girls in the state.
SAFE Advisory Board
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Advisory Board helps provide input and support to the statewide SAFE program. This includes planning and preparation for the twice-yearly SAFE trainings, other trainings such as a 4-hour in-service and a Mock Trial, and brainstorming ideas for quarterly SAFE meetings and training for all current SAFEs or SAFEs-in-training.
Ad Hoc or Temporary Groups
We also represent sexual assault service providers at a number of shorter-term groups, such as legislative study groups, and groups focused on issues like sentencing or reforming the criminal code.
This committee advises the Commissioner of Corrections on corrections standards, variances to standards sought by facilities, and responses to failures of facilities to comply with standards.
Maine Criminal Justice Academy Board of Trustees
The MCJA Board consists of seventeen members, who include all levels of law enforcement, as well as non-law enforcement citizens. The duties of the Board of Trustees include: training and certification of all law enforcement and corrections officers in Maine; establishing admission and graduation standards; certification of police chiefs, sheriffs and jail administrators; other training programs considered to be beneficial to law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and other criminal justice personnel; and establishing the minimum standards for mandatory law enforcement policies. The Board is responsible for certifying instructors and courses for in-service and refresher training conducted for law enforcement and corrections personnel in Maine. The Board is also responsible for the revocation or suspension of the certification of law enforcement or corrections officers who fail to meet training standards or who engage in wrongdoing.
MaineShare
MaineShare’s mission is to provide significant support to organizations doing progressive social justice and root cause work in Maine and to raise public awareness of their work. MaineShare manages a give-at-work campaign, in which all proceeds go to a pool of over 40 statewide organizations which focus on economic opportunity and human development; human services and health education; cultural diversity and the arts; the environment; and social justice and peace. MECASA is both a member organization and a workplace-giving site; individual workplace giving donors may direct their donations to specific organizations or to all organizations equally.
National Children’s Alliance Collaborative Work Group on Public Policy
MECASA co-chairs this national advisory group which is charged with identifying, analyzing and drafting public policy strategies and developing materials and resources that streamline efforts to advocate for public policies which support the nation’s Children’s Advocacy Centers.
Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women
The Maine Permanent Commission on the Status of Women is a government-appointed group dedicated to improving opportunities for women and girls. As such, they advise the Governor and members of the Legislature about policy and social issues affecting women and girls in the state.
SAFE Advisory Board
The Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Advisory Board helps provide input and support to the statewide SAFE program. This includes planning and preparation for the twice-yearly SAFE trainings, other trainings such as a 4-hour in-service and a Mock Trial, and brainstorming ideas for quarterly SAFE meetings and training for all current SAFEs or SAFEs-in-training.
Ad Hoc or Temporary Groups
We also represent sexual assault service providers at a number of shorter-term groups, such as legislative study groups, and groups focused on issues like sentencing or reforming the criminal code.
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Looking for the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault? Head to mecasa.org. |