Item Description:
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Requesting a report on current efforts to prevent, reduce, and mitigate the effects of domestic violence in Hennepin County - offered by Commissioners Conley and Fernando
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WHEREAS:
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WHEREAS, Hennepin County is committed to combating domestic violence and creating a system and community in which victims and survivors are empowered to seek justice and are supported in their healing journey; and
WHEREAS, for more than 30 years, Hennepin County has been providing direct services to individuals impacted by domestic abuse. The county’s domestic violence response efforts span multiple lines of business and departments, including the Domestic Abuse Service Center, the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Intimate Partner Violence unit, No Wrong Door and the victim navigation services pilot overseen by the Safe Communities department, the county’s Safe Spaces initiative, Housing Stability, the daily efforts of responding law enforcement officers, and resources provided by community service agencies; and
WHEREAS, the Domestic Abuse Service Center (DASC), which is operated by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, marked 31 years of operation on October 11, 2025. In 2024, DASC had over 22,000 contacts with individuals accessing services-consistent with the average for the previous four years; and
WHEREAS, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, there were more than 19,000 domestic violence incidents in the state in 2024. About one-third of them occurred in Hennepin County, representing nearly 7,200 victims and 6 homicides; and
WHEREAS, it is important to support domestic violence prevention efforts and transformative services to achieve a community where all people are healthy, valued, and thrive. Doing that effectively requires leveraging all county and community resources and partnerships and creating opportunities for new collaborations; and
WHEREAS, the tragic impact of domestic violence is reflected in the lives lost, reminding us of the urgency to prevent such devasting outcomes; therefore
Resolution:
BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator is directed to provide a report to the County Board by February 27, 2026 regarding current county efforts to address domestic violence in our community. The report should include a summary of current data-sharing challenges and opportunities, an overview of existing partnerships with government and community service providers, relevant statistics, and recommendations and long-term strategies for preventing, reducing, or mitigating the impact of domestic violence.
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Background:
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval