Law Firm Verrill Dana Attorney Steve Rowe Recognized For His Visionary Leadership In Ending Sexual Violence In Maine

Steve Rowe, Former Maine Attorney General And Current Counsel In Law Firm Verrill Dana's Litigation & Trial Department, Presented With The MECASA Make A Difference Award

Portland, ME (PRWEB) April 10, 2009

One in five adult Maine residents reports that they have been the victim of rape or attempted rape during their lifetime. April is sexual assault awareness month, which provides an opportunity to highlight survivors and to focus on prevention. As part of this effort, former Attorney General and current Counsel in Law (http://www. loc. gov/law/) Firm Verrill Dana's (http://verrilldana. com/) Litigation & Trial Department Steve Rowe (http://verrilldana. com/AttorneyView. aspx? Id=243) was honored recently for his commitment to preventing violence in Maine.

At an award ceremony in Augusta, the Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) recognized Rowe for his steadfast commitment to ending sexual violence in Maine. Rowe was presented with the MECASA Make a Difference Award, which is given to people who advocate for victims of sexual violence and who effectively raise awareness about sexual violence in Maine.

At the ceremony, Rowe learned that he had also been nominated for and received the Visionary Voice Award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. This award nationally recognizes the leadership, hard work and dedication of people working around the country to end and prevent sexual violence in their communities. Rowe is the first Attorney General in the country to receive this award.

"Steve Rowe has been a tireless partner in efforts to end sexual violence in Maine, from his time in the Legislature to today," said MECASA Executive Director Elizabeth Ward Saxl. "Steve has been outspoken on the need to prevent sexual violence and has focused prevention efforts on root causes of violence."

Ward Saxl highlighted Rowe's creation of the Attorney General's Anti-Stalking Task Force, which led to a modernization of Maine's stalking law and beefed up training for law enforcement and prosecutors. She praised Rowe for taking an active leadership role in involving other men in efforts to end sexual violence in Maine.

Most significant is Rowe's work to prevent violence by ensuring that children grow up in safe, nurturing homes and are provided with healthy role models. Ward Saxl said, "It is remarkable for a state Attorney General to be making these sorts of connections and then following through to create cultural change. We are so lucky to have Steve Rowe

Leading this effort in Maine and are so pleased he received the national recognition he deserves for his work."

Steve Rowe is Counsel in Verrill Dana's Litigation & Trial Department. Previously, he served as Maine's Attorney General and Speaker of the Maine House of Representatives.

MECASA also presented issue area awards to former Senate President Beth Edmonds; District Attorneys Evert Fowle and Geoff Rushlau; Lt. Mark Waltz of the Brunswick Police Department; Sherri Thornton a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner from MaineGeneral in Waterville; and U. S. Attorney Paula Silsby and a Victim/Witness Coordinator in her office, Heather Putnam.

The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault represents and serves Maine's nine sexual assault support centers through statewide training, public awareness, support to the centers and public policy advocacy.

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