The Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission, authorized by MCA 2-15-2017,  does the following:

• Examines the trends and patterns of domestic violence-related fatalities.
• Educates the public, service providers, and policymakers about domestic violence fatalities and strategies for intervention and prevention.
• Recommends policies, practices, and services that may encourage collaboration and reduce fatalities due to domestic violence.
• Identifies successes and gaps in Montana’s system for protecting domestic violence victims.
• Better coordinate multi-agency efforts to protect those most at risk of domestic homicide.

Mission 

Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission is a multi-disciplinary group of experts that studies intimate partner fatalities, identifies trends and patterns, and recommends systemic and societal improvements.

Vision Statements

• No intimate partner violence takes place.
• All Montanans are educated and understand why intimate partner violence occurs.
• All Montanans recognize the presence of intimate partner violence and its impacts on victims, children, families and entire communities.
• All Montanans take intimate partner violence and its effects seriously and have zero tolerance for it – in our homes, workplaces, and communities

Guiding Principles

• We offer each other support and compassion.
• We conduct the review in a positive manner with sensitivity and compassion.
• We acknowledge, respect, and learn from the expertise and wisdom of all who participate in the review.
• We work in honor of the victim and the victim’s family.
• We are committed to confidentiality.
• We avoid accusations or faultfinding.
• We operate in a professional manner.
• We share responsibilities and the workload.

The commission practices a “no blame/no shame” philosophy. The purpose of a fatality review is not to identify an individual or governmental authority as responsible for the deaths. Rather, these are complex cases, involving a number of individuals and variables. Domestic violence fatalities are simply not caused by any one action – or inaction – by any one person or actor.

Phone: (406) 444-3653
Toll-Free: 1-800-498-6455
Fax: (406) 444-5335
E-mail: [email protected]