RENO — Sue Meuschke, executive director for the Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCEDSV), was honored today with a proclamation from the office of the governor for her 30 years of service as “a dedicated and talented community leader, collaborator and advocate for survivors” for the State of Nevada, advocating for victims of domestic and sexual violence and increasing awareness of the issues.
Meuschke began providing advocacy services as a volunteer with the Committee to Aid Abused Women (CAAW), then became the director of community relations with CAAW in 1984, and in 1989, she became the executive director of NCEDSV, formerly the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence.
She’s a founding member of the Nevada Domestic Violence Prevention Council and a past member of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Steering Committee, and has spent the past three decades helping to shape Nevada’s response to domestic and sexual violence by collaborating with the Nevada State Legislature, the Nevada Supreme Court, the Nevada Office of the Attorney General and the Nevada Department of Human Resources.
The NCEDSV is the only statewide organization advocating for the prevention and elimination of violence by partnering with communities to provide education, resources, advocacy and support to the front-line organizations that help those impacted by domestic and sexual violence.
Annette A. Scott, director of advocacy and program services for S.A.F.E. House in Henderson and board chair for the NCEDSV, said Meuschke’s 30 years in this movement has directly impacted the changes and laws of domestic violence and sexual assault and how advocates provide services that are now part of the state’s history.
“Sue has always displayed the courage and wisdom to lead the NCEDSV in a way that understands victim-centered services, program needs and overall needs of the state,” Scott said. “I was fortunate enough to meet Sue as I was just entering the movement to end violence against women. I decided the first time I saw her speak that she would be my mentor and she has been ever since. Nevada has been very fortunate to have her for 30 years. Thank you, Sue, for your commitment and tenacity.”