The Marquette Research for Justice and Violence Agencies (MRJAVA) is a three-year project funded through the Michigan Department of Community Health. Michigan State University is the university partner responsible for the evaluation component, providing resources, and facilitating community relations. The purpose is to reduce domestic violence through community collaboration and coordination of intervention agencies. This project is implementing community-wide change through a variety of methods.
- Community Council
Develop a Community Council to work on coordinating the responses of the intervention and victim assistance agencies to insure a consistent response to domestic violence incidents. This response sends a message to abusers that domestic assault is a crime and they will be held accountable for their actions. Concentration is on victim safety and batterer accountability in addition to systems' accountability.
- Data Collection and Analysis
Update and analyze data from victim services and the criminal justice system to determine consistency in response to domestic violence incidents and services provided to survivors.
- Getting the Word Out
Inform the community about domestic violence. "Break the silence" in the community. Change attitudes about family violence being a private matter and provide hope and strength to battered women. Encourage victims, family, and friends to take action. Let them know there are options for those trapped in violent relationships.
- Assessing Attitudes
Survey the population to determine the present level of public awareness and whether change in attitude is occurring.
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