Established by the Minnesota state legislature, the Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force (MMAAW) was the first of its kind in the nation. It examined and reported on systemic causes of violence against African American women and girls; policies, practices, and institutions that assist in perpetuation violence against African American women and girls; and measures necessary to address and reduce that violence.
Missing and Murdered African American Women’s Task Force
Reports
Executive Summary
(12 pages)
Full Report
(70 pages)
Safe Harbor Report
(24 pages)
Partners
Minnesota Department of Public Safety appointed Missing and Murdered African American Women Task Force
Read more about the formation of the Task Force here.
Advisory Council of Black/African American women
This Advisory Council is made up of Black women who are survivors of violence, family members of those that have experienced violence and come from across the state of Minnesota.
Project Goals
Convene stakeholders
Facilitate and guide the Missing and Murdered African American Task Force and Advisory Council to establish findings and recommendations to end violence against African American women and girls.
Identify root causes
Examine the root causes of historical trauma, systemic racism, sexism, sexual objectification of Black women and girls, and the vulnerabilities that poverty, homelessness, child welfare disparities, domestic violence, sex trafficking, and fear of law enforcement intersect to create a context where violence against African American Women has become widespread.
Collect Data
Develop an intentional strategy to support the systematic collection of data on missing and murdered African American women that address a culture of silence and dismissal on the part of our larger culture and the institutions empowered to investigate and track missing and murdered populations.
Catalyze Action
Analyze why the homicide of African American Women tends to garner less attention from law enforcement, the media, and the public while developing a clear and concise strategy to reclaim the narrative and humanize Black women and girls’ lives.
Project Updates
‘Long overdue’ task force for missing and murdered Black women established in Minnesota
Minnesota has become the first state in the country to establish a task force on missing and murdered African American women. Advocates say the initiative is long overdue. Gov. Tim Walz made it official in a ceremonial bill signing earlier this week. The 12-member panel includes representatives from the courts, law enforcement and victim advocacy groups.