Charting the Course

1983

1984

The Alexandra House shelter moved to a new location in Blaine, and was able to house 17 women and children.

MN Legislation: In OFPs, interfamilial sexual abuse was added to the definition of domestic abuse. OFP eligibility was expanded to include former spouses, those who have lived together, and those who have a child in common.

U.S. Attorney General Benjamin Civiletti estab- lished the Department of Justice Task Force on Family Violence which, for the first time in the Department’s history, submitted a report examining the scope and

The United States Congress passed the

MN Legislation: Minnesota passed a law that increased the time police could hold persons in domestic violence cases from 24 to 36 hours.

The Duluth Project, founded by Ellen Pence, pioneered the first coordinated criminal justice response model to domestic violence.

Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) and Victims of Crime Act (VOCA).

impact of domestic violence in America.

1983... Moving In After the renovations were completed, Alexandra House moved into a larger home in Blaine. This home was able to house 17 women and children. The first two shelters run by Alexandra House were single-family homes converted to communal dwellings, where several families would stay together while determining their next steps. Not many in the larger Anoka County community knew much about these shelters. At the time, emergency shelters were kept hidden from the public—a tactic that was thought to be the only way to keep survivors safe. 1984… Staying Connected to Our Roots The leadership of Alexandra House struggled with maintaining a balance between its grass roots beginnings and establishing a professional victim-centered organization. The strong participation of battered women in setting the direction of the organization was key to accomplishing this balance.

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1) Hand sketched drawing of the Blaine shelter, used as the “logo” from 1982–1992. 2) Alexandra House shelter in Blaine, MN

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