MELROSE — On Sunday, October 6 the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) will be holding its 29th annual vigil and walk. The vigil will begin at 4 p.m. in the Melrose Middle School Auditorium. Speakers and a musical performance will precede a reading of the names of the individuals killed by domestic violence in Massachusetts over the past year. The event will conclude with a two mile walk through Melrose neighborhoods.
MAAV has come a long way since its founding in 1995. The original impetus to establish this not-for-profit organization came from a study conducted that year by the Melrose League of Women Voters. The study revealed a total of 150 restraining orders on file with the Melrose police, a disturbingly high number for a city the size of Melrose. This information galvanized the League into action. With the support of local leaders, it applied for and received a grant of federal funds to establish MAAV.
MAAV has received several subsequent grants over the years recognizing the quality of its work. These funds, along with proceeds from fundraising events and donations, continue to support the group’s programs.
Today MAAV serves not just Melrose but the other towns of the Mystic Valley and is widely recognized for the important services it provides to these communities. It has a staff of four, including Executive Director Crystal Johnson, LICSW. According to Johnson, MAAV’s activities fold loosely into three groups: community awareness, prevention and survivor support.
MAAV organizes several annual events to keep domestic violence front of mind with the public. In addition to the candlelight vigil each October, there is a Community Coffee House event each spring where local artists and musicians perform in support of MAAV and participation each March in the annual White Ribbon campaign, the largest international movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls.
As Johnson notes, MAAV offers programs for the community as a whole and others targeted to specific groups such as healthcare providers, educators and childcare providers. These programs seek to educate on the signs and potential consequences of domestic violence as well as the proper steps to take and resources available to address such incidents. Most notable have been MAAV’s efforts in the Melrose schools. The Student Action Board at Melrose High School is a group of 27 students selected each year to serve as peer mentors to their fellow students. The Healthy Relationships program seeks to begin discussions with Melrose Middle School students about issues such as teen dating, resolving conflicts and respecting boundaries.
In addition to these awareness and prevention efforts MAAV provides an open door for domestic violence survivors to seek support and advocacy and to assure that every effort is made to connect each survivor with the resources appropriate for their unique situation.
Executive Director Johnson describes the goals that animate her and her teams’ efforts: “I believe that creating communities free from domestic and teen dating violence starts with awareness and education. Our programs empower individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to foster healthy relationships and support those affected by violence. Together, we can build a safer, more compassionate community.”
If you are interested in learning more about the problem of domestic violence and the important work of the Melrose Alliance Against Violence in support of the Melrose community, please go to MAAV.org or call 781-662-2010. Visit mass.gov/info-details/domestic-violence.
