Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield is pushing for more actions toward addressing domestic violence in the city through an executive directive to employees, and by hiring a liaison in her office to advocate for victims.
Kyla Williams will serve as the specialist of domestic and intimate partner violence intervention and prevention in the mayor’s office, Sheffield announced Thursday, Oct. 8 at city hall. Williams previously served 26 years at the Detroit Police Department before retiring as a sergeant of the domestic violence unit. She spent much of her time there addressing impacts of domestic violence and providing resources to victims. Sheffield said the city will hold listening sessions and awareness campaigns across Detroit to connect with residents
and ensure they have available resources.
"Domestic violence is a pattern of abuse used to gain or maintain power and control over a partner. The abuse can be physical, emotional, psychological or economic. Domestic violence can affect anyone, no matter who you are, or where you come from, no matter your income, your zip code, your race, your age, it can impact anyone," Sheffield said. "We want anyone who may be suffering, or in danger, or scared to speak up, whatever the situation may be, to know, again, that there is support here to help you."
Williams’ new role includes addressing gaps between city services and the needs of residents who are victims of domestic violence. She also sits on the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Treatment board, appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, to recommend policies that involve domestic violence, criminal justice, child welfare and administer state and federal funding.
"This is more than a position or policy to me. It is a commitment to ensuring that no one experiencing domestic violence feels alone, unseen, or without options," Williams said. "As a city, we have both, an opportunity and responsibility to ensure that those affected know they have a place to turn. Today, we are sending a clear message: domestic violence will not be ignored, survivors will not be forgotten, and help is within reach for any and everyone impacted by domestic violence."
Inside the executive directive
Sheffield's directive orders the city’s human resources department to develop a domestic violence employee action plan within 90 days. Within 120 days, all employees should receive information on policies, leave options, benefits, employee assistance program services, workplace support and additional resources for employees affected by domestic violence.
The order also directs the office of neighborhood and community safety to collaborate with human resources to oversee development of citywide training and awareness to support the objectives of the directive for employees.
All executive and staff departments will have to confirm implementing the action plan, and post information on domestic violence resources throughout the workplace that are visible and accessible for all employees.
For residents, this means having domestic violence resource materials distributed by the chief operating officer, along with having these resources posted across all city-owned buildings.
Teferi Brent, director of the Office of Neighborhood and Community Safety, said in in 2025, the Detroit Police Department documented more than 5,000 domestic violence cases, of which 50% resulted in arrests, and more than 200 firearms were seized by the department's domestic violence task force.
"These figures reflect Detroit's broader domestic violence response, including intimate partner abuse and in 2026, serious intimate partner violence cases continue to remind us that this crisis demands more action," Brent said.
A greater need
Sheffield said the city has a domestic violence shelter for residents, but there is a "great need for more access" to spaces for individuals experiencing domestic violence.
"It's on my radar as mayor of Detroit. We just had a meeting today where we possibly have some funding or a mechanism to maybe bring an additional space here to Detroit," Sheffield said.
Williams' top three pieces of advice for anyone who is experiencing, or knows someone experiencing domestic violence: Do not judge. We do not judge. And you are not alone, she said.
"There are programs to maintain confidentiality, so we don't want that to be a hindrance for individuals who would need to come forward for assistance, and not all the time does someone want assistance from the police. So, because domestic violence ... affects so many people in so many different ways, there are community-based organizations outside of law enforcement who are willing to step up and address those issues," Williams said.
Sheffield is also lighting up the Spirit of Detroit purple throughout the month of October to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness month.
"I think this is the first time the Spirt has ever been lit. Because I know for my 12 years, I haven’t seen it, so that's a big step to put it on everyone's radar," Sheffield said.
The National Domestic Violence hotline is 1-800-799-7233 and the Detroit Police Department's Victim's Assistance Program has a 24-hour hotline 313-833-1660.
Dana Afana is the Detroit City Hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mayor Sheffield appoints specialist to address domestic violence
