Public Notice Detail

ROCHESTER, MN. (February 12, 1999) – Courts personnel, prosecutors, victim services workers, court services staff, law enforcement and other concerned professionals from southeastern Minnesota will gather February 24-26 for an educational conference and to develop strategies for improved community response to violence against women.

The estimated 150  participants already have met in teams to assess their county’s strengths and weaknesses in the area of community services and response to domestic violence victims.  During the Violence Against Women Conference, taking place at the Austin Holiday Inn, each county team will develop goals and objectives to help increase system response in their area.

Participating in the conference are representatives from Minnesota’s Third Judicial District, which consists of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, Waseca and Winona counties.

The Third Judicial District Family Violence Council was formed in 1993 to participate in a statewide Conference of Chief Judges’ effort relative to making the courts more responsive to domestic violence.  Since then, the Third District’s Family Violence Task Force has met regularly, with its efforts including a district-wide study on the delivery of violence-related services.  A 1995 report showed the need for an improved criminal justice response and training in the area of family violence.

After receiving a training grant, the Third Judicial District counties established teams of criminal justice-related professionals.  The conference program was developed in response to the needs identified.  It is funded by a $47,500 l grant through the federal Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and is administered by the MN Center for Crime Victim Services.  Highlights of the Violence Against Women Conference include:

• Presentations by two nationally known speakers.  Sarah Buel has worked in the Suffolk County (Quincy, Mass.) attorney’s office where she assisted in establishing their award winning domestic violence program and is currently a Clinical Professor at the University of Texas School of Law.  Mark Wynn, is a Nashville, Tenn., police lieutenant who heads its Domestic Violence Division, has actively worked on state and national domestic violence issues.  He is a survivor of family violence.
• Workshops on immigration law and issues, women of diverse  backgrounds and violence, health care response, probation’s role in violence against women, federal provisions relating to violence  and treatment programs for abusers.
• Technical updates on law enforcement issues, prosecution and the Order for Protection, a statewide automated system.

Minnesota Supreme Court Chief Justice Kathleen A. Blatz will deliver opening remarks. Associate Justice Russell A. Anderson, who gained considerable experience in addressing domestic violence issues during his years as a northwest Minnesota trial court judge, is the opening banquet speaker.

Members of the media are invited to attend conference sessions, although the event is not open to the general public.  The on-site contact is Sonjia M. Lien (507) 285-7483, who can assist with arranging interviews with speakers  and representatives of the county teams.