We Supported Initiatives to Halt Violence in the City:

FAMILY VIOLENCE TASK FORCE

The MSDC Task Force on Family Violence was very active in 2005 on a host of programs and initiatives to support victims of domestic violence and prevent future violence. The Task Force:

• Participated in a number of collaborative grant projects resulting in published works, including Body Image and Empowerment Program for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Heal Victims of Violence (a CDC study);
• Provided support for Georgetown University's Department of Family Medicine in the development of a domestic violence program at a DC clinic;
• Developed several violence prevention workshops, including programs at the University of the District of Columbia, Children's Hospital, and Georgetown;
• Supported Mayor Williams' initiative to combat violence in the District through representation at multi-disciplinary meetings and in crafting a domestic violence response plan for the District in collaboration with the DC Coalition on Domestic Violence and other organizations;
• Participated in the Social Service Administration's "Protect Victims of Domestic Violence" initiative;
• Collaborated with the DC SAFE KIDS Coalition Injury Prevention Committee on a number of activities; and
• Developed a health-based survivor's manual for usage across the country by healthcare professionals and shelters as part of a collaborative initiative with the Georgetown Department of Family Medicine.