• Executive Directive requires city departments to take steps to ensure city employees and members of the public experiencing domestic violence are aware of and can find support and resources 
• Dr. Kyla Williams joins Mayor's Office as domestic violence advocate 
• Spirit of Detroit to be washed in purple light each night throughout October 

Mayor Mary Sheffield today announced several actions she is taking on behalf of victims of domestic and intimate partner violence as part of her administration’s recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month during October. To help ensure the city of Detroit is doing all it can to support victims of domestic and intimate partner violence, Mayor Sheffield today signed an executive directive, ordering city departments to take a number of steps to help city employees and members of the public know they are supported with resources and how to access them.  

The Mayor also announced the appointment of Dr. Kyla Williams as her office’s point person and advocate for victims of domestic violence.  To keep the issue of domestic violence awareness front and center, the Mayor also has directed the Spirit of Detroit statue be lit in purple light at night throughout each October, which will begin at dusk tonight.  

“Domestic violence is insidious because the scars it leaves are not always visible or even physical, and victims, usually out of their own fear, become masters at hiding the pain,” said Mayor Sheffield. “People we see every day or pass on the streets are struggling with this abuse and we owe it all of them to do more to let them know they are not alone and there is help available.” 

Mayor Mary Sheffield is surrounded by staff and community advocates as she signs an executive directive instruct city departments to take specific actions to support victims of domestic violence.

As part of her executive order, Mayor Sheffield has instructed city departments to do the following:

For the benefit of City of Detroit Employees

• That the Human Resources Department, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Safety, within ninety (90) days of this Executive Directive, develop a comprehensive Domestic Violence Employee Support Action Plan.
• That the Human Resources Department, within one hundred and twenty (120) days of this Executive Directive, ensure that all City employees receive clear and accessible information regarding policies, leave options, benefits, Employee Assistance Program services, workplace support, and other resources currently available to employees that are affected by domestic violence.
• That the Human Resources Department, along with the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety, collaborate and oversee the development of a comprehensive citywide training and awareness framework to support the objectives of this Executive Directive. 
• That all Executive and Staff Departments individually affirm and support the City’s commitment to maintain safe, secure, flexible, and supportive workplaces for employees affected by domestic violence, by confirming implementation of the Domestic Violence Employee Support Action Plan.
• All Executive and Staff Departments are required to post comprehensive information on domestic‑violence resources throughout the workplace, in locations that ensure regular visibility and accessibility for all staff members, ensuring that every employee is fully informed of the City’s assistance programs 

For the benefit of City of Detroit residents

• That the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Safety develop domestic‑violence resource materials that are to be distributed by the Chief Operating Officer for public dissemination to advance awareness and support community engagement. 
• All City-owned or occupied buildings shall post domestic violence resources and information in discrete, private locations for those experiencing domestic violence seeking assistance.  
• That the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Safety Domestic Violence Liaison be introduced to the public as an additional resource available for residents.
• That, in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, throughout the month of October, the City will launch a month of listening sessions and awareness campaigns.

Dr. Kyla Williams, who previously led the Detroit Police Department's domestic violence unit, speaks after Mayor Sheffield announced her as her administration's liaison and advocate on the subject of domestic and intimate partner violence. 

Mayor appoints DV/IPV liaison for her office

Mayor Sheffield also announced the appointment of Dr. Kyla Williams as the city's Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialist (Domestic Violence Liaison) for the Mayor's Office under the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Community Safety Division.

Prior to her role here, she served with the Detroit Police Department for more than 26 years before retiring as a Sargent over the Domestic Violence Unit. Williams spent nearly half of her 26 years with the department addressing the impacts of domestic violence (DV) and bringing resources to victims.  

In her new role, Dr. Kyla Williams will do more of her advocacy work — addressing the gaps between city services and residents who experience DV. She also serves as a subject matter expert, earning her PHD in human services with a concentration in criminal justice.  

She uses her degree and advocacy work to sit on the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence and Treatment Board, a seven-person board appointed by the Governor to create and recommend policy and services surrounding DV, criminal justice, child welfare and administers state and federal funding.

"I'm passionate about helping people and being a public servant," said Dr. Kyla Williams, Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialist (Domestic Violence Liaison). "I want people who are impacted by DV to know that they are not alone and to use my voice to be louder than the silence that once protected this form of violence."  

Spirit of Detroit to be lit in purple during October 

Mayor Sheffield also directed the Spirit of Detroit statue to be washed in purple light during the month of October, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Her office coordinated with the Detroit Wayne Joint Building Authority, which manages the Spirit of Detroit Statue.  

“Throughout the month of October, thousands of visitors who come downtown to enjoy events, shops, restaurants, or our riverfront and to admire our great civic statue will be reminded of the importance of acknowledging this important issue, but more so of supporting victims of domestic violence."