LGBTQ communities continue to experience disproportionate rates of violence, harassment, and discrimination stemming from homophobia, transphobia, and intersecting forms of oppression. Transgender women of color, in particular, face harrowing rates of hate crimes and homicide in the United States. Additionally, reports such as
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Findings by Sexual Orientation
, the
2015 U.S. Transgender Survey
, and the
National Transgender Discrimination Survey
have all found that members of LGBTQ communities experience domestic and sexual violence at alarming rates, particularly when they hold additional marginalized identities, such as being a woman of color or an undocumented immigrant.
As we celebrate our beautiful and diverse LGBTQ communities this Pride Month, we also call for greater inclusion within the movement to end domestic and sexual violence and for increased access to services for LGBTQ survivors, particularly those most marginalized.
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June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day
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What distinguishes abuse in later life from elder abuse?
Abuse in later life (ALL) is the willful abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of an older adult that is perpetrated by someone in an ongoing relationship (e.g., spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver) with the victim. As such, the term abuse in later life—used by the Office on Violence Against Women, the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life, and a number of domestic violence and sexual assault programs throughout the country—calls attention to the nexus between domestic violence, sexual assault, and elder abuse.
Other terms are also used to define abuse of older adults. Elder abuse is a broad term that applies to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older individual in a trusting relationship with the offender. Elder abuse also includes harm that occurs because an older person is targeted based on age or disability (U.S. DOJ, 2013), such as in contractor scams. In many jurisdictions, elder abuse may also include self-neglect. Abuse of vulnerable, dependent, or at-risk adults generally refers to harm of persons 18 or older who are unable to protect themselves or report the abuse.
Abuse in later life is the segment of elder abuse that focuses specifically on those cases where the abuse is perpetrated by someone in an ongoing relationship (e.g., spouse, partner, family member, or caregiver) with the victim. Sexual abuse and stalking by an offender who is known to the victim or a stranger is also included in the definition. Older persons who fit the statutory definition in their jurisdiction of vulnerable adults and are in a relationship with their abuser may also be victims of abuse in later life. Power and control dynamics, similar to those seen in domestic violence and sexual assault cases involving younger victims, are often present in abuse in later life situations; therefore, older victims may benefit from services provided by domestic and sexual violence programs.
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Domestic violence advocates, allies and survivors joined together on May 14, 2019, to raise awareness of domestic violence issues and urge the New York State Legislature to support measures to provide critical resources and services for victims.
- First and foremost, Governor Cuomo signed into law the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act. The bill expands current law by permitting judges to grant alternative sentences to a survivor defendant if, at the time of the offense, the defendant was a victim of domestic violence, the abuse was a “significant contributing factor” to the defendant’s participation in the crime, and a sentence under current law would be “unduly harsh.” The legislation also permits judges to grant alternative sentences to a defendant if their abusers forced them to commit the crimes (e.g., forgery, robbery, burglary, drug sales and prostitution) and provides already incarcerated victims of domestic violence the opportunity to apply for re-sentencing.
- During our Day of Action, NYSCADV acknowledged and thanked Assemblymember Jeff Aubry and Senator Roxanne Persaud, who championed the bill in their respective chambers. Connie Neal, Executive Director of the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence said,"Today, as the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act becomes law in New York, we are reminded of the groundbreaking work of Sister Mary Nerney in the 1980s who initiated critical support services for survivors including those imprisoned for protecting themselves from their abusers. This legislation builds on her work which is now led by countless survivor advocates. We thank Governor Cuomo, Assemblymember Aubry, Senator Persaud and the Legislature for ensuring this critical legislation became a law."
- During NYSCADV's morning program, Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul spoke of her mother’s efforts to found Haven House in Erie County. She said, “This movement is about the next generation and that they know that they can live a life without violence… In the words of my mother, go into the world and do well. But most importantly, go into the world and do good.” Assemblymember Helene Weinstein and Senator Liz Krueger, both long-time allies of ours, also spoke to our group about current legislative efforts.
- Both the Senate and Assembly passed resolutions proclaiming May 14th as Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Day.
- And, for the first time, the Senate joined the Assembly in passing a package of DV-related legislation. There are now several DV-related bills that have been approved in both chambers and are awaiting signature by the Governor. These bills are summarized in the enclosed document. Most notably, the chambers passed:
- The Right to Call 911 bill (A2665A/S4657A), which was one of NYSCADV's three priorities for this year’s Day of Action. The bill protects all victims’ right to call for police or EMS without direct or indirect penalty or reprisal for doing so. The bill also prevents municipalities from imposing penalties on landlords whose tenants call police or EMS and prohibits landlords from taking negative housing actions against people for calling for help.
- NYSCADV's second legislative priority -- a bill that permits DV survivors a reasonable accommodation for taking time off from work to obtain services, counseling or to attend court. In order for an employer to refuse the reasonable accommodation, the employer must demonstrate that the employee’s absence would pose an “undue hardship” based on the overall size of the business, the number of employees, the number and type of facilities, and the size of the budget.
- A bill allowing DV survivors to break phone and TV family plan contracts, without charge, if they provide the service provider a DIR, police report, order of protection, or signed affidavit from a medical or mental health provider, an employee of the court, a social worker, a rape crisis counselor or a DV advocate.
If you would like more information about this legislation, please contact our public policy team at
policy@nyscadv.org
.
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New York’s Bail Reform Law: Major Components and Implications
In April 2019, New York State passed sweeping criminal justice legislation, strictly curtailing the use of
cash bail
and pretrial detention; overhauling rules governing discovery, or the sharing of evidence between the prosecution and defense; and strengthening measures intended to ensure a defendant's right to a speedy trial. The measures go into effect in January 2020.
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In 2018, NYSCADV conducted 39 trainings and events, reaching approximately 1,879 advocates and victim service providers from around the state and nation. Download our annual report.
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- Finding Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors and their pets
Leaving an abuser can be one of the most dangerous times for a victim. But if you have a pet, leaving is even harder. In a variety of surveys of domestic violence survivors, between 49 percent and 86 percent reported that their pets had been threatened, harmed, or killed by their partners.
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News Highlight
On May 10, 2019, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a proposed rule called “Housing and Community Development Act of 1980: Verification of Eligible Status.” The rule would change HUD’s regulations by adding more restrictions for eligibility for
certain
federal housing assistance provided
by HUD
based on immigration status. IMPORTANT: This rule is not in effect.
Policies such as those outlined in the draft proposed rule are having, and will continue to have a significant detrimental impact on
survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault
by deterring immigrant families, including those with U.S. citizen and Lawful Permanent Resident children, from accessing critical help when they need it. Housing assistance is a vital resource for survivors, giving them the security they need to leave abuse without having to fear that doing so will result in homelessness, as well as providing a safe environment to begin their recovery.
NEWS DIGEST
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NYSCADV'S UPCOMING TRAININGS & EVENTS
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Facilitative Leadership Techniques: Activating Productive Group Participation in Trainings & Meeting: June 25, 2019, Syracuse, NY
Ever attended a meeting (or 10) that could have been an email? Have you ever facilitated a discussion and wished you had approached it differently after?
This training will provide attendees with tips and techniques for designing effective trainings and meeting agendas using proven facilitation methods for fostering productive group participation. Participants will learn vital skills for becoming an effective facilitative leader, a style that promotes inclusive decision-making and group ownership. This training provides hands-on techniques and an opportunity to practice skills that are applicable in any setting and designed to improve group dynamics and strengthen any team.
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OTHER WEBINARS, TRAININGS, CONFERENCES & EVENTS
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Webinars, Events & Training
- June 5, 2019: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: Lifting Up Voices of Older Survivors webinar-NCALL
- June 6, 2019: What Surrounds Us Shapes Us: Greening and other physical/built environmental strategies for preventing sexual and domestic violence webinar-Prevent Connect and Prevention Institute
- June 13, 2019: Myths & Realities of Identity Change webinar- NNEDV
- June 14, 2019: The Impact of Violence, Trauma, and Racial Oppression on Survivors webinar- The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims
- June 14, 2019: Data Breaches & Victims Service Providers: Consideration for Developing Effective Policies-NNEDV
- June 20, 2019: Disaster Planning and Preparedness-NIWRC
- June 20, 2019: Fusion – AVP’s Pride Party-Anti-Violence Project
- June 20, 2019: Privacy and Safety Planning With Survivors webinar-NNEDV
- July 17, 2019: Part I: Addressing Economic Barriers to Housing/Employment webinar- Center for Survivor Agency & Justice
- July 31, 2019: Part II: Addressing Economic Barriers to Housing/Employment webinar - Center for Survivor Agency & Justice
Conferences
- Vera House 22nd Annual Elder Abuse Conference: June 13, 2019, Syracuse NY
- SUNY Spectrum Conference: July 9-10, 2019, Albany NY
- NNEDV Tech Summit: July 29-31, 2019, San Francisco, CA
- NNEDV and Confidentiality Institute Confidentiality Conference for Federally Funded Victim Service Providers: September 9-10, 2019, Atlanta GA
- Voices in Action: NCADV's 18th National Conference on Domestic Violence: September 16-18, 2019 , Washington DC
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- Review of FVPSA Requirements for Best Practices for Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Reporting; Best Practices for Responsive Data Collection Webinar webinar recording, slides and materials recording - NYSCADV
- Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity (SO/GI) Data Collection: Guidance for FVPSA Grantees-LGBTQIPV
- Preventing and Responding to Domestic Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer (LGBTQ) Communities-VAWnet
- How to Encourage Girls to Lift Each Other Up, Instead of Tearing Each Other Down- A Mighty Girl
- Economic security and safe relationships: Pathways and actions for partner violence prevention-Prevention Institute
- LGBTQ DV Targeted Recommendation: Improve Privacy as a Strategy to Increase LGBTQ Access to Existing DV Shelter Programs-LGBTQIPV
- Moving Ahead Through Financial Management available on iTunes: National Network to End Domestic Violence
- “It Takes A Village, People” Friends and Family Toolkit: Advocacy, Friends and Family and LGBTQ Survivors of Abuse - The NW Network of Bi, Trans, Lesbian and Gay Survivors of Abuse
- Social Media for Social Change: 5 Ways Social Media Can Create Social Change - NNEDV
- Best Practice Principles for Digital Services, Texting and Messaging with Survivors, Online Chat with Survivors, and Video Calls with Survivors-NNEDV
- Data Breaches & Victim Service Providers: Considerations for Developing Effective Policies - NNEDV
- Community Based Advocates Toolkit: A Resource Guide for Professionals Helping Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Dating Violence Survivors-NationalAllianceforSafeHousing
- The National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center’s New Resources in Support of the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women- NIWRC
- Lessons Learned from DELTA: Engaging Youth in IPV Prevention - PreventIPV
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES & CALL FOR PROPOSALS
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