COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) - Local supporters of efforts to create more awareness of Domestic Violence issues and prevention measures in Michigan hope action taken in Lansing yesterday will aid their cause. 

Governor Rick Snyder signed an executive order establishing the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board within the Department of Human Services.

Snyder brought up the need to expand the state's attention to sexual assault in his special message on Public safety last March. 

The Governor said Tuesday that domestic and sexual violence are serious crimes that threaten victims and impact both their physical and mental health and well-being. Snyder went on to say that we must take a comprehensive approach to protect victims today and prevent victimizations tomorrow and he expressed confidence the new board will be effective in those efforts. 

The board is officially charged with conducting research on effective means for preventing and treating victims of domestic and sexual violence, coordinating education programs promoting awareness, providing services and programs for victims, and working with the State Police to develop a uniform reporting system to provide accurate data on domestic and sexual violence.