It is both an honor and a privilege to have accepted the position as the new Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence. I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received over the past two months. From the board of directors, staff, and partners—your kindness and support have made my transition into this role both seamless and inspiring.
I’d also like to extend a special thank you to the board of directors for trusting me with this important position. I understand the responsibility that comes with it, and I’m fully committed to upholding the mission and values that have made MCADV a beacon of hope and change for so many individuals across our state.
My first two months have been exciting and full! I’m already deeply impressed by the work that has been done and the impact that we are making together. But the journey doesn’t end here. We have a unique opportunity—an urgent responsibility, really—to continue advancing our mission to bring about social change through advocacy, technical assistance, and public awareness. The need for our work has never been greater, and I am eager to continue expanding our reach throughout Mississippi.
As we move forward, I want to emphasize the importance of community collaboration. Domestic violence affects individuals, families, and communities in ways that often go unseen. But we are a coalition, and together, we have the power to raise awareness, provide support, and advocate for change. I’m looking forward to deepening our partnerships with organizations, advocates, and survivors so that we can create an even more powerful and united front.
This work is not easy, but it is vital. Every step we take in supporting survivors, preventing violence, and raising awareness is a step toward a safer, more just Mississippi. I am humbled and excited to be part of this movement, and I can’t wait to continue the work with all of you.
Thank you once again for your warm welcome and for the incredible work you all do. I look forward to building a brighter future together. Together, we have the strength!
Joy Jones
Executive Director
When Guns Amplify Abuse: A Call to Protect Domestic Violence Survivors
National Gun Violence Awareness Month spotlights a stark truth: firearms amplify the deadly threat to domestic violence survivors. The intersection of domestic violence and gun violence creates a devastating reality for Mississippi families, where the state leads the nation in gun death rates. In Mississippi, 85% of domestic violence homicides involve firearms, making it one of the deadliest states for domestic abuse victims. The presence of firearms in domestic violence situations has contributed to Mississippi’s gun homicide rate increasing by 66% since 2013, with domestic incidents representing a significant portion of these fatalities. This lethal combination has made Mississippi particularly dangerous for those trapped in abusive relationships, where access to firearms dramatically escalates the risk of fatal violence.
Domestic violence-related murder-suicides represent a particularly tragic pattern. In these cases, abusers often take not only their victim’s life but their own, leaving families and communities shattered. These incidents frequently occur after escalating patterns of control and abuse, with firearms being the predominant weapon of choice.
The period following an abuser’s release from custody is especially dangerous. Statistics show that domestic violence offenders with access to firearms are five times more likely to kill their partners. Despite laws prohibiting firearm possession by convicted domestic abusers, gaps in enforcement and monitoring create opportunities for these individuals to rearm themselves, often with devastating consequences.
Access to firearms by domestic violence offenders poses an ongoing threat to survivor safety. Many victims report their abusers using guns to threaten, intimidate, and ultimately harm them after being released from custody, highlighting the critical need for stronger enforcement of firearm prohibitions.
We must act now to protect domestic violence survivors. Support local domestic violence organizations by volunteering or donating to help fund emergency shelter services and legal advocacy. Push for mandatory firearm surrender protocols in your jurisdiction. Advocate for GPS monitoring of high-risk offenders upon release. Support programs that help survivors develop comprehensive safety plans and secure emergency protective orders. Join local advocacy groups working to bridge gaps between law enforcement, courts, and victim services. If you know someone at risk, share information about domestic violence hotlines and safety planning resources. Every action, whether large or small, helps build a stronger safety net for survivors facing lethal threats.
MCADV invites you to join the INside TRAC!
Joining the INside TRAC connects you to a community with a shared mission of combating domestic violence. Don’t miss out on this chance to be a part of a movement for change! Click the button below to access more information and your INside TRAC application!
Mississippi Becomes the 45th State to Establish a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board
The Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV) just achieved a significant milestone in our mission to combat domestic violence. With the recent approval of Senate Bill 2886 in the 2025 Legislative Session, Mississippi now has its first Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board, which will be part of the Department of Public Safety. This legislation is a game changer in enhancing our state’s response to domestic violence and working to prevent future tragedies.
So, what will this board do? It will be responsible for examining domestic violence-related fatalities throughout Mississippi. By analyzing these cases, the board will pinpoint systemic weaknesses, identify trends, and propose strategies for better prevention and intervention. The aim is to learn from the circumstances surrounding these tragic outcomes and to develop policies that offer greater protection for survivors while holding systems accountable. With this initiative, Mississippi joins the ranks as the 45th state in the country to implement a fatality review process!
Before this legislative success, MCADV organized a statewide training session in July 2024, bringing together advocates, law enforcement, judges, and lawmakers to delve into the significance and operations of review boards. This training laid the groundwork for informed advocacy and cross-sector collaboration, emphasizing the vital role teamwork plays in making this initiative a reality.
While House Bill 1551, which also sought to establish a fatality review board and received unanimous support in the House, was introduced, SB 2886 was ultimately selected to take the lead. The overwhelming bipartisan support for both bills highlights a collective commitment among lawmakers to enhance Mississippi’s approach to domestic violence.
The passage of SB 2886 is a groundbreaking achievement, but it’s just the start. MCADV is committed to ensuring the Fatality Review Board operates effectively and centers the experiences of survivors, driving meaningful, data-driven change.
Together, we’re paving the way for a safer Mississippi, one that learns from the past to safeguard the future.
In Legal Terms Podcast
In this episode of In Legal Terms, the hosts invited Vera Johnson and Luis Montgomery from the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV) to share their insights. They explored significant issues surrounding domestic violence, focusing on prevention strategies, the importance of bystander intervention, and the cycle of abuse.
Vera and Luis also emphasized the impact of Senate Bill 2886, which aims to form a statewide board responsible for examining domestic violence fatalities, recognizing patterns, and enhancing methods for intervention and support. Notably, Senate Bill 2886 was passed in the most recent legislative session, positioning Mississippi as the 45th state to create a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board.
In this podcast episode, listeners gain valuable insights into domestic violence laws and the resources accessible to those affected, thanks to the expertise provided by Vera and Luis. Click the button below to listen!
Teen Summit 2025: The Power of Hope
On February 8, 2025, MCADV held our Annual Teen Summit, themed “The Power of Hope,” at the Embassy Suites by Hilton in Ridgeland, MS. This year’s event drew a remarkable crowd of teens, advocates, parents, and community partners from every corner of Mississippi, creating an energetic and collaborative atmosphere filled with inspiration and empowerment.
We were excited to host such a diverse group of attendees at the summit! The event brought together individuals from across Mississippi, highlighting different voices and experiences. Among the participants were 8 members from the MS Band of Choctaw Indians and 20 representatives from the Upward Bounds of Colin-Simpson County Center. Our House, Inc. contributed with a virtual group of 20 engaged individuals, while the Pilgrim Rest Youth Nation joined us with a group of 8 committed members.
One of the highlights of the summit was our keynote speaker, Kenya Parks, the Director of Operations at Primos Café and Bake Shop. As a survivor of domestic and sexual assault, Kenya shared her compelling journey of overcoming adversity and reclaiming her life. Her candid and inspiring narrative resonated deeply with the audience, as evidenced by the evaluations receiving her words were the most cherished, with over half of the attendees citing her presentation as their favorite moment!
The Teen Track continued to enlighten participants with Ashlee Lucas, the Statewide Human Trafficking Coordinator for the MS Bureau of Investigation. Ashlee delivered an eye-opening presentation on critical issues such as identifying red flags of human trafficking, understanding sextortion, and exploring various types of trafficking. She also tailored a more in-depth session for parents, ensuring that both teens and caregivers left with essential knowledge.
For the parents in attendance, Carla Baskin provided a thought-provoking presentation on Healing Broken Attachments, which struck a chord with many attendees, earning accolades as one of the most impactful sessions of the day.
During the breaks, attendees took advantage of the opportunity to connect with various agencies offering vital statewide support and services for families. The atmosphere was further revved up by the music provided by DJ Walt, creating a dynamic backdrop for networking and engagement.
This year marked a significant milestone for our summit as we introduced a panel discussion for the first time. Feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive, with many Teen Council members expressing a strong desire to make this a recurring feature in future summits. Youth attendees echoed this sentiment in their evaluations, highlighting the panel discussion as a favorite aspect of the event.
In summary, our Annual Teen Summit was a celebration of hope and community! Attendees left feeling inspired and revitalized, ready to embrace the future with newfound knowledge and connections. The buzz of enthusiasm was unmistakable, and we can hardly wait to see what next year’s event will bring!
When Care Becomes Control: Serving Survivors With Disabilities
Everyone that experiences domestic violence has their own unique lived experience. These experiences are often layered with unfamiliarity of how to navigate to receive the services and resources received to live a life free from interpersonal violence. For survivors who have disabilities the difficulty increases exponentially.
Women with developmental disabilities experience some of the highest rates of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse by intimate partners and family members. Victims with disabilities are often more reliant on their caregivers than those without disabilities, making it especially difficult to report abuse or seek help. Many are dependent on their abusers for daily care and risk losing essential support if they speak out.
These survivors encounter numerous barriers to accessing outside assistance, including social isolation, lack of communication tools or interpreters, limited transportation, absence of privacy, inaccessible public spaces, and pervasive societal stigma around disability.
In addition to common forms of abuse, survivors with disabilities often endure specific, disability-targeted harm. This includes having medication withheld or overdosed, financial exploitation, threats of abandonment, inappropriate sexual contact during bathing or dressing, removal or restriction of adaptive and mobility equipment, destruction or threats to service animals, and intentional neglect of personal care and hygiene needs.
To support domestic violence service providers, MCADV’s 2025 Advocate Coffee Break sessions have focused on increasing victim advocates knowledge of working with survivors with disabilities. Cameron Stubbs with Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services led the learning sessions in January and March where valuable resources and information were covered. If you were not able to join in the conversations, and would like to complete the e-learning, take a minute to register and complete at a time that fits into your schedule by clicking a button below.
To receive notification of upcoming Advocate Coffee Break sessions, email your request to join the mailing list to support@mcadv.org
19th Annual Domestic Violence Counts Report
On September 4, 2024, Mississippi joined other states in participating in a comprehensive nationwide assessment of domestic violence support services, coordinated by the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV). Throughout that 24-hour period, domestic violence service providers successfully assisted 275 individuals who needed protection and support services. However, the data revealed a significant gap in resources, as 89 additional requests for assistance could not be fulfilled due to capacity limitations. These statistics, gathered during this statewide assessment, clearly indicate the substantial demand for domestic violence services in our communities.
The current situation demonstrates that our support centers are already operating at maximum capability. Any reduction in funding would only increase the number of unmet requests and compromise our ability to provide critical services to those experiencing domestic violence. Maintaining current funding levels remains crucial to ensure these essential support services remain accessible to those who need them most. Reach out to our Mississippi leaders in Washington! Ask them to increase funding for those impacted by crime. Your voice can make a difference!
2025 Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Award Ceremony
The 2025 Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Awards Ceremony was held on April 8, 2025, at the historic War Memorial Building located in Jackson, MS. The event was hosted by Lindsay Cranford, who guided the audience through a program dedicated to honoring remarkable individuals and organizations committed to aiding victims of crime. Attorney General Lynn Fitch delivered special remarks, emphasizing the importance of the occasion. Attendees came together to celebrate four recipients of the Outstanding Service to Crime Victims Award, as well as 13 recipients of the Excellence in Advocacy for Human Trafficking Victims Award.
A particularly notable moment of the ceremony was when Joy Jones, Executive Director of the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence (MCADV), had the honor of presenting an award to Cassie Lee, the Director of Program Development at Care Lodge Domestic Violence Shelter, Inc. Cassie is a dedicated advocate for victims of crime, renowned for her unwavering commitment to providing support and healing for those affected by traumatic events. With over a decade of experience in the domestic violence field, she has tirelessly empowered victims, offering guidance and essential resources during their most challenging moments.
In her role at Care Lodge, Cassie plays a critical part in securing funding to ensure that vital services continue to be available to victims across the nine counties served by the organization. She has consistently championed victims’ rights, working to create a safe environment for healing. Whether she is supervising children while their parents engage with the case management team, assembling furniture for communal spaces, grocery shopping, or providing transportation to medical appointments and job interviews, Cassie exemplifies going above and beyond for those she serves.
Additionally, she has spearheaded various initiatives aimed at not only providing immediate crisis intervention but also fostering emotional well-being. A standout project includes her coordination with external partners to establish a meditation space designed as a peaceful retreat for survivors, allowing them a safe and calming environment to reflect and begin their healing journey. Through this initiative, Cassie has demonstrated her commitment to holistic care, ensuring that survivors have access to both practical support and nurturing spaces for mental and emotional recovery. Her passion ensures that no victim faces their journey to recovery alone, making a profound and enduring difference in the lives of countless individuals affected by domestic violence.
The ceremony featured an invocation, followed by heartfelt remarks from General Fitch, who reflected on the significance of the work being recognized. Presentations of the awards highlighted the achievements of the honorees, and the event concluded with closing remarks from Lindsay Cranford, who expressed gratitude to all attendees, honorees, and partners for their involvement.
