Highlights

Highlights of the first six months

We’ve received an overwhelmingly positive response to the appointment of the Domestic Violence Liaison, and the willingness of the Office of the Attorney General to take the lead on this important issue. 

During the first six month in his new position, McKnight has focused on outreach efforts aimed at determining the needs of local communities by:

• Contacting more than a dozen domestic violence task forces and committees;
• Personally speaking with several hundred individuals who are currently working in the domestic violence field; 
•  Participating in Native American domestic violence programs; 
•  Participating in domestic violence training programs for law enforcement; and
•  Presenting at several criminal justice summits related to domestic violence. 

Based in these outreach efforts, the following have been initially identified as the most important areas for the Attorney General’s Office to focus its support: 

• Host a statewide domestic violence conference specifically for domestic violence task forces and law enforcement; 
• Establish a statewide statistical database on all aspects of domestic violence; 
• Raise awareness of domestic violence through media and educational campaigns; 
• Establish a process for input related to domestic violence legislative proposals and an ability to make proposals for needed legislation related to domestic violence; 
• Continue working with law enforcement in training and follow through on the officer involved domestic violence; and
• Continue developing and enhancing working relationships with our Native American communities to more effectively assist them with their unique needs and cultural issues surrounding domestic violence.