Governor Janet Mills Donates $25,000 to Support Domestic Violence Survivors

Forty-two years after a domestic violence murder shook Maine, Governor Janet Mills announced a $25,000 contribution from the Governor’s contingent account to support survivors, drawing on a decades-old tragedy from her early career as District Attorney for Androscoggin County.

Recalling the case in an address, Governor Janet Mills said, “Emma came into my life when I was District Attorney for Androscoggin County.” Emma was a victim of domestic violence whose husband was indicted, made $2,000 cash bail despite a history of abuse, and subsequently tracked her down and murdered her by the side of the road outside Concord, New Hampshire, after she had sought shelter in Auburn, Portland, and New Hampshire.

According to Governor Janet Mills, the bail laws at the time did not permit prosecutors to argue against bail based on whether a defendant posed a threat to a victim or witness, or was a flight risk. Following the murder trial in New Hampshire where the husband received a life sentence, Mills testified and subsequently pushed for changes to Maine’s bail laws and other measures to protect victims.

Reflecting on the ongoing prevalence of abuse, Governor Janet Mills said, “We know that domestic violence affects everyone, of every age, every gender, every socioeconomic status.” To aid individuals in crisis, the $25,000 donation has been directed to the Liberation Fund to provide emergency supplies and services for people in situations similar to Emma’s.

During her tenure, Governor Janet Mills has signed legislation designed to hold perpetrators accountable and secure justice for survivors. These measures include preventing abusers from taking control of victims’ finances, restricting the release of domestic abusers from county jails, extending the statute of limitations for sexual assault, strengthening protection from abuse orders, and enacting gun violence protections while preserving due process rights.

Additionally, Governor Janet Mills proposed, and the Legislature approved, a $6 million ongoing investment in domestic violence services to address a shortfall in federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding that threatened services across Maine. The signed budget also includes $2 million in one-time funds for domestic violence services distributed through the Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence.