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WHEREAS, the
phenomenon of violence in society is of extreme concern to the people
of this State; and
WHEREAS, women
are the majority of victims of certain categories of physical and
psychological violence, such as domestic violence, sexual assault,
and sexual harassment; and
WHEREAS, New
Jersey has been in the forefront of the legal and public policy
response to violence against women, particularly by the State's
adoption of a progressive domestic violence prevention law; and
WHEREAS, New
Jersey seeks to continue improving its response to, and care of,
victims of all crimes and especially victims of violence against
women; and
WHEREAS, society
is acknowledging through recent laws and a change of societal attitudes
that such categories of violence against women are not merely acts
between individuals but are manifestations of a socialization process
which promotes violence against women; and
WHEREAS, society
is increasingly aware of the wide extent of such acts of violence
against women; and
WHEREAS, violence
against women is a component of other major social problems, such
as rising health care costs, law enforcement costs, homelessness,
substance abuse, child abuse and neglect, and other concerns; and
WHEREAS, a
key component to addressing the problem of violence against women
is a greatly increased prevention effort, involving public education,
training of professionals, programs for offenders and victims, and
other activities;
NOW, THEREFORE,
I, JAMES J. FLORIO, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue
of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes
of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:
1. There
is hereby created an Office on the Prevention of Violence Against
Women (hereinafter "Office") in the Division on Women of the Department
of Community Affairs.
2. This
Office shall function in collaboration with the other State agencies
and affiliate groups which are dealing with issues of violence
against women.
3. The existing
Domestic Violence Prevention Program within the Division on Women
will continue to function as a component of the proposed Office.
4. The responsibilities
and functions of the Office shall include, but not be limited
to:
a. Research-based
policy and program development leading to implementation of
strategies to prevent violence against women and to explore
violence prevention initiatives.
b. Development
and implementation of training courses and public education
initiatives, with particular focus on the socialization process
which promotes violence against women.
c. Provision
of staff and fiscal support to the statutorily established Advisory
Council on Domestic Violence.
d. Reporting
to the Governor on an ongoing basis with respect to issues,
programs, and the setting of policy priorities regarding the
prevention of violence against women.
5. The Office
is authorized to call upon any department, office, division or
agency of this State to supply it with data and any other information
or assistance it deems necessary to discharge its duties under
this Order. Each department, office, division or agency of this
State is hereby directed, to the extent not inconsistent with
law, to cooperate with the Office and furnish it with such assistance
as is necessary to accomplish the purpose of this Order.
6. The Office
is authorized to establish task forces or workgroups to address
specific issues as they arise and develop policy recommendations
pertaining to those issues.
7. This
Order shall take effect immediately.
GIVEN,
under my hand and seal this
11th day of June in the Year of Our
Lord, one thousand nine hundred and
ninety-two, and of the Independence
of the United States, the two hundred
and sixteenth.
/s/
James J. Florio
GOVERNOR
Attest:
/s/ M. Robert
DeCotiis
Chief Counsel to the Governor
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