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Volume 14. Issue 1. January 2017 |
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Greetings from the Executive Director
As 2017 gets underway, hundreds of thousands of people are organizing and participating in grassroots efforts to support women's rights and justice, and equality for all people. On January 21st, there will be nearly 600 marches in all 50 states as well as in 50 countries around the world.
The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence stands in solidarity with these organizers, activists, and allies who are working to protect our rights, our safety, our health, and our communities.
We are at a point in time where the voices of survivors and advocates must be loud, clear, and strong. Here in New York, NYSCADV is organizing
around the need for sustainable funding to end domestic violence. Simply put, in order to create real and significant change, the state must make a commitment to sufficient resources for domestic violence advocacy services and primary prevention work.
In the days and weeks ahead, there will be more opportunities for mobilizing and more activities to come. In the meantime, I urge you to reflect on the progress we have made, and commit or recommit to making our bold and audacious visions for the future a reality.
All the best,
Connie
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New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Endorses Home Stability Support
NYSCADV announces support for plan to address homeless crisis, joining a growing coalition of advocates and elected officials in calling for state to adopt Home Stability Support during 2017 legislative session. NYSCADV cites unmet housing needs for survivors of domestic violence and their families, New York's highest in the nation demand for domestic violence services, in endoresment declaration.
Connie Neal, Executive Director of NYSCADV said "For survivors of domestic violence, the inability to find safe, affordable housing can make a difficult and dangerous situation even worse. Home Stability Support (HSS) will help address this by ensuring that survivors and their families are not left homeless as they struggle to recover from their experiences. We are proud to endorse HSS and we urge the state to adopt this important policy during the upcoming session."
With the endorsement of NYSCADV, Assembly Member Hevesi and the HSS coalition gain the support of a major statewide membership organization dedicated to ending domestic violence through education, advocacy and social change.
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$7.7 Million to Aid Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Survivors
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced on December 28, 2016 that New York State has received $7.7 million in federal funding that will allow the state to fund 11 new programs and support 117 existing programs that help victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Funding through the Federal Violence Against Women Act was increased by nearly $662,000 to support programs offered by non-profit organizations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies across the state.
Executive Director of the [New York State] Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Connie Neal said, "The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence will provide critical training and support for advocates and individuals who work directly with victims of domestic violence across the State of New York. Through this project, our goal is to reduce and prevent domestic violence and intimate partner homicides. The assistance provided to thousands of survivors annually would not be possible without this critical funding."
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Paid Safe Leave for Survivors
Victims of domestic violence in New York City may soon benefit from paid "safe leave" if they need time off from work to seek services related to the abuse. Victims of domestic violence in New York City may soon benefit from paid "safe leave" if they need time off from work to seek services related to the abuse.
The proposed legislation, introduced on Wednesday by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYC Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland, would allow domestic violence survivors to take paid leave to attend to their safety needs - without the scary prospect of losing their job.
"No woman should have to decide between her safety and her paycheck," de Blasio said at a press conference announcing the measure. "We need to make sure that work will be protected, not interrupted; that pay will be protected, not interrupted while a woman pursues justice - while she takes care of things she needs to ensure her safety."
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OCFS Per Diem Rates
On December 21, 2016, the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released information on the per diem rates for Domestic Violence programs in Rest-of State (for the period of 1/1/17 - 12/31/17).
The current per diem rates for Domestic Violence programs in New York City (for the period of 7/1/16-6/30/17) are as follows:
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OCFS LCM Guidelines and Instructions for Preparing the Child and Family Services Plan Update
The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) issued "Guidelines and Instructions for Preparing the Child and Family Services Plan Update" on December 28, 2016. This LCM is intended to provide local districts with guidance "for the completion of the required Annual Plan Update (APU) for the county Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP). "In 2016, New York State participated in the federal Child and Family Services Review (CFSR), and New York State's performance was identified as below the national average on six of the seven safety and permanency indicators. The on-site portion of the 2016 New York State CFSR identified several areas in need of improvement. Therefore, the federal Children's Bureau requires the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to submit a CFSR Program Improvement Plan (PIP) that includes strategies and measurable indicators designed to improve outcomes."
LDSS's are required to submit the APU electronically using the Appendix, Program Narrative, and the 2017 Child Welfare Planning Addendum templates that can be found on the OCFS intranet under the Child and Family Services Plan page by January 31, 2017.
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Achieving a Consistent and Legally Sound U Visa Certification/Process in New York Family Courts
The Fund for Modern Courts released a report entitled, Achieving a Consistent and Legally Sound U Visa Certification Process in New York Family Courts, which finds there is significant confusion within New York's Family Court regarding the U Non-immigrant Status ("U Visa") certification process. The report clarifies existing applicable laws and recommends ways to alleviate confusion and ensure a more consistent and predictable process for U Visa certification in the Family Court. Family Court judges in New York State play a crucial role as certifying officials for victims of crime seeking U Visas. Family Court is particularly important in the U Visa context because it has jurisdiction over family offense proceedings, a route often preferred over criminal prosecution by victims of abuse.
The Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 ("TVPA") established the U Visa, and it was intended to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking of aliens and other crimes, while also protecting victims of crimes. The TVPA allows victims of certain crimes to seek U Non-Immigrant status. Judges are authorized to certify that the crime victim has been "helpful" to law enforcement, which is a necessary component of a U Visa application. Without a certification, an applicant will not be granted U Visa relief.
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Gloria Steinem often reminds us that the strongest predictor of whether a country will be violent within its borders, or in its use of military force, is not poverty or access to natural resources, not religion or gradations of democracy - it is violence against its female citizens. One dominant group's lingering thirst to control the "
second sex" remains today, more than ever, a threat to the intricate fabric of equality.
Women's rights are always at risk of erosion, from reproductive health to freedom from
discrimination. Efforts to protect our inalienable rights often seem overwhelming, which is why small, targeted fights are strategically essential. Today, the
Coalition Against Trafficking in Women's modest but significant stand is calling on our city governments to stop promoting the inaccurately-named "gentlemen's clubs." In particular, New York City must end advertising
strip clubs on its yellow cabs.
Click here to
read the full article "Yellow Cabs and Strip Clubs: New York Sells Inequality."
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January is National Stalking Awareness Month
Now in its fourteenth year, National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) provides us with the great opportunity to promote awareness about an important issue affecting 7.5 million people nationwide each year.
The theme, "Stalking: Know It. Name It. Stop It.", challenges the nation to fight this dangerous crime by learning more about it.
Stalking is a crime in all 50 states, U.S. Territories and the District of Columbia, yet many victims and criminal justice professionals underestimate its seriousness and impact. In one of five cases, stalkers use weapons to harm or threaten victims,and stalking is one of the significant risk factors for femicide (homicide of women) in abusive relationships. Victims suffer anxiety, social dysfunction, and severe depression at much higher rates than the general population, and many lose time from work or have to move as a result of their victimization.
Stalking is difficult to recognize, investigate, and prosecute. Unlike other crimes, stalking is not a single, easily identifiable crime but a series of acts, a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause that person fear. Stalking may take many forms, including assaults, threats, vandalism, burglary, animal abuse, and unwanted cards, calls, gifts, or visits. One in four victims report that the stalker uses technology, including computers, global positioning system devices, or hidden cameras, to track the victim's daily activities. Stalkers fit no standard psychological profile, and many stalkers follow their victims from one jurisdiction to another, making it difficult for authorities to investigate and prosecute their crimes.
The Stalking Resource Center has developed a toolkit to Promote Stalking Awareness Month including posters, graphics, sample media releases, and many more items to help promote awareness this month. Click here to view the Stalking Awareness Month Website.
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The Family Violence Prevention and Services Act Final Rule
The first comprehensive revision of the regulations implementing the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) since 1996 was issued on November 2016 by Department of Health and Human Services. The new regulation took effect on January 3, 2017.
This rule will better prevent and protect survivors of family violence, domestic violence, and dating violence, by clarifying that all survivors must have access to services and programs funded under the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act. More specifically, the rule enhances accessibility and non-discrimination provisions, clarifies confidentiality rules, promotes coordination among community-based organizations, State Domestic Violence Coalitions, States, and Tribes, as well as incorporates new discretionary grant programs. Furthermore, the rule updates existing regulations to reflect statutory changes made to the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act, and updates procedures for soliciting and awarding grants. The rule also increases clarity and reduces potential confusion over statutory and regulatory standards. The rule codifies standards already used by the program in the Funding Opportunity Announcements and awards, in technical assistance, in reporting requirements, and in sub-regulatory guidance.
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Women's March on Washington
More than 200,000 people are expected to participate in a mass demonstration the day after Donald Trump's inauguration, the Women's March on Washington (WMW). For those unable to make it to Washington, D.C. sister marches will also be held on January 21st around the world with participation expected to exceed the goal of 1 million marchers. In New York State, sister marches are planned in New York City, Cooperstown, Utica, Seneca Falls, Lewis, Binghamton, Ithaca, Buffalo and more. Click here for a complete list of all sister marches.
While the organization of the march is in response to the hateful rhetoric expressed during the past election cycle, the mission of the WMW is to "stand together in solidarity with our partners and children for the protection of our rights, our safety, our health, and our families - recognizing that our vibrant and diverse communities are the strength of our country."
The WMW also has a growing number of partner organizations including, Planned Parenthood, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), OXFAM, NO More, GLAAD, Amnesty International, National Network of Arab American Communities, NAACP, Traycon Martin Foundation, and many more.
WMW organizers recently announced the launch of Women's March Global (WMG), "a proactive international movement, not a U.S. election-specific protest per se, which has galvanized people to defend women's rights and those of others in response to the rising rhetoric of far-right populism around the world."
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President Obama Signs Historic Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights Into Law
In October 2016, President Obama signed into law a groundbreaking piece of legislation that grants basic rights to survivors of sexual assault-one that protects those who come forward to report and bring their cases to court and amends how rape kits are handled in sexual assault cases.
Introduced by Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) in February of 2016, the Sexual Assault Survivors' Rights Act focused heavily on revising how the medical exams that sexual assault survivors undergo to gather forensic evidence-more commonly known as rape kits-are handled in federal criminal cases. The kits are notorious for being backlogged and frequently go untested or are destroyed before they can be processed.
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Domestic Violence Allegations Were A Missed Red Flag Before Florida Mass Shooting
Many involved allegations of domestic violence, including two reports of strangulation that don't appear to have been taken seriously.
In January 2016, Santiago was arrested after his girlfriend told Anchorage police he attacked her while she was in the bathroom. He broke the door, forced his way in and began to strangle her, she said.
Strangling his girlfriend, impeding her ability to breathe, shows a capacity to kill, experts say.
Years of research has established that the act of strangulation is
an important predictor of future lethal violence: If a woman has been choked by an intimate partner, she is seven times more likely to become a homicide victim in the future.
Strangulation, defined as cutting off air supply or blood circulation by applying pressure to the neck, can lead to neurological damage within seconds and death in under five minutes.
Despite its danger, strangulation
often leaves no visible injuries, making it particularly difficult to prosecute. Because of that, experts say, the offense has historically been treated as minor, akin to a slap or a punch.
Esteban Santiago was accused twice of strangulation - an offense that studies show often foreshadows future violence.
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Russia Prepares to Decriminalize Some Domestic Violence
There's an old Russian expression: "If he beats you it means he loves you."
Now, in a chilling reminder of that sentiment, Russian legislators are moving toward decriminalizing some forms of domestic violence. Women's rights groups fear it will reignite a problem that still plagues much of Russian society.
The Duma has passed a bill in its first reading that has been dubbed the "slapping law." The pending legislation would consider an assault -- if it's a first offense that does not seriously injure the person -- an administrative, rather than criminal offense. The legislation would also apply to children.
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François Hollande Pardons French Woman Who Killed Abusive Husband
The woman, Jacqueline Sauvage, was found guilty by a criminal court in 2014 of shooting her husband, Norbert Marot, three times in the back with a hunting rifle in 2012. She was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Ms. Sauvage had spent more than four years in prison, and became a symbol of domestic abuse in France. Violence against women occurs at a higher level in France than in Europe over all, according to a
2014 report
by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights.
Click here to read the article "Hollande Pardons French Woman Who Killed Abusive Husband." |
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UN Women: "Orange the World" to End Violence against Women
The United Nations Secretary-General's Campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women has proclaimed the 25th of each and every month as "Orange Day," a day to raise awareness of and take action to end violence against women and girls. As the bright and optimistic colour for the UNiTE Campaign, orange represents a future free from violence against women and girls. Orange Day calls upon activists, governments, and UN partners to mobilise people and highlight issues relevant to preventing and ending violence against women and girls, not only once a year on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on 25 November, but every month.
This year, UN Women and partners around the world marked the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (25 November - 10 December) under the theme of 'Orange the World: Raise Money to End Violence against Women and Girls'. A host of public events galvanized global attention and action to end the pandemic of violence against women. From marches in Uganda, Papua New Guinea, and Uruguay to a public rally on motorbikes in Egypt, people took to the streets to say no to violence, and iconic buildings lit up in orange.
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NYPD, Safe Horizon launch new program to aid domestic violence victims
The NYPD and (NYSCADV member program) Safe Horizon are expanding their partnership with the launch of the Crime Victim Assistance Program (CVAP) to immediately help survivors of domestic violence.
CVAP will place victim advocates from Safe Horizon in police precincts across the city - 157 advocates over three years - to work directly with victims by providing access to services and resources they may not know are available to them.
Click here to read the article "NYPD, Safe Horizon launch new program to aid domestic violence victims"
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THRIVE: A Framework for Understanding the Community Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence
Prevent Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence has released a
new resource to support local IPV prevention efforts in diverse community.
THRIVE: A Framework for Understanding the Community Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence presented by Lisa Fujie Parks and Ashley Crawford, hosted by the PreventIPV Project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (August 2, 2016)
There is growing understanding that social determinants of health (SDOH) need to be addressed in order to promote health, safety, and health equity. But there are few frameworks and tools that specifically focus on how to address issues like intimate partner violence (IPV) through a SDOH approach. Prevention practitioners working at the community level are asking questions such as: What factors need to be addressed to promote community environments that support safe relationships and decrease rates of IPV? And how can efforts to address these factors decrease inequities in rates of IPV rather than exacerbate them?
In this webinar, Prevention Institute provided an overview of THRIVE, a framework and tool that can help prevention practitioners explore these questions. PI shared work completed in 2016 with support from the Blue Shield of California Foundation to map the community determinants of IPV onto THRIVE. Presenters explored how THRIVE can be used as a practical framework and tool to support local IPV prevention efforts in diverse community contexts.
Objectives:
- Provide an overview of THRIVE, a framework and tool to address the social determinants of health at the community level;
- Discuss the community determinants of IPV using THRIVE; and,
- Explore how THRIVE can be used as a framework and tool to support local IPV prevention efforts in diverse community contexts.
Click here to watch the recorded THRIVE webinar and view additional materials.
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Firearms and Domestic Violence: The Intersections
Domestic abusers and firearms are a deadly combination. Research published in the American Journal of Public Health found that the presence of a gun in domestic violence situations significantly increases the risk of homicide, endangering victims, other family members, bystanders and coworkers. Professionals who work in law enforcement and advocacy have found that to reduce domestic violence homicide, the criminal justice system must consistently enforce existing laws and coordinate closely with community organizations.
On October 7, 2016, the Justice Department hosted a panel of experts, including scholars and practitioners, to discuss this potentially deadly intersection.
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Why is Healing from Collective Trauma Critical for Our Social Justice Efforts
On a daily basis, advocates are
exposed to trauma through the stories of the survivors that we work with. In addition, many of us - as advocates, healers, organizers and activists - bring to this work our own experiences of violence and trauma, whether those experiences are historic or current, individual or collective. As we engage in the very important work of promoting social change and justice, we must commit to our individual and collective healing. For Domestic Violence Awareness Month and beyond, the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) wants to draw attention to the role of collective resilience as a transformative response to the violence and trauma experienced by our communities.
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What Facebook Knows About You
We live in an era
of increasing automation. Machines help us not only with manual labor but also with intellectual tasks, such as curating the news we read and calculating the best driving directions. But as machines make more decisions for us, it is increasingly important to understand the algorithms that produce their judgments.
All too often, these algorithms are a black box: It's impossible for outsiders to know what's going inside them. Today we're launching a series of experiments to help give you the power to see inside.
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White House and the National Cyber Security Alliance Join Forces to Launch "Lock Down Your Login," a STOP. THINK. CONNECT.™ Campaign
In February, in his Cybersecurity National Action Plan (CNAP), President Obama called for the following:
"Building off the STOP. THINK. CONNECT. ™ campaign and efforts stemming from the National Strategy for Trusted Identities in Cyberspace, the National Cyber Security Alliance will partner with leading technology companies and civil society to promote this effort and make it easier for millions of users to secure their accounts online."
Lock Down Your Login is a direct result of this effort called for in the CNAP. The campaign was made possible through a coalition of businesses, nonprofits and government entities.
Click here to read the full press release regarding the Lock Down Your Login campaign.
Click here for more information on the Lock Down Your Login campaign. |
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OverSight Mac App Tells You When Malware Is Accessing Your Camera and Microphone
Patrick Wardle, a renowned Mac security expert, has released this week a new app called OverSight that will alert users whenever malware, or other legitimate processes, try to access the computer's microphone or camera.
The expert says he created the app as a way to fight back some of the sneaky tricks malware is employing on macOS devices in order to spy on users.
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OVW, Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program Solicitation
The Grants to Enhance Culturally Specific Services for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking Program (Culturally Specific Services Program) was created by the Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (VAWA 2005) (codified at 42 U.S.C. § 14045a). This program supports culturally specific community-based organizations in addressing the critical needs of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking victims in a manner that affirms a victim's culture. Advocates report that survivors are more inclined to seek services from organizations that are familiar with their culture, language and background and that there is no "one size fits all" approach to adequately address these critical needs. Culturally specific community-based organizations are more likely to understand the complex, multi-layered challenges and obstacles that victims from their communities face when attempting to access services. Culturally specific community-based organizations are also better equipped to form essential relationships and engage their communities in the creation and implementation of services relevant to the diverse and unique needs of the victims.
Eligible applicants are community-based programs whose primary purpose is providing culturally specific services.
Closing date: February 16, 2017
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Praxis International accepting applications for The Advocacy Learning Center's Class P
This innovative 18-month course gives advocates, advocacy program managers and coalition staff a rare chance to come together for self-reflection, inspiration and an opportunity to re-think their approach to individual, institutional and community advocacy.
Programs are eligible to apply if you are a community-based advocacy organization, a tribal advocacy program, a campus program, or a transitional housing organization, providing direct advocacy to women/survivors and funded by the federal Office on Violence Against Women. We also welcome the participation of OVW-funded tribal, state, territory and national coalitions and groups that play a critical role in supporting advocacy programs to end violence against women. Limited space is reserved for non-OVW funded programs.
A complete application must include:
- An application form
- An organizational chart identifying where each team member fits in your organization
- Organizational and Team Member Commitment Statements (included at the end of the application form)
Closing date: February 6, 2017 by 6:00 PM EST
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NYS Ursula Forem Domestic Violence
Program Employment Fellowship
The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence is accepting proposals from NYS domestic violence programs that are licensed and/or approved by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to hire recent college graduates (2014-2017) or current graduate students to work for the domestic violence program and collaborate with OPDV. OPDV will fund two grants, up to a total of $75,000, with a maximum of $37,500 annually per award. The funds will be available to cover salary and fringe benefits for two years. There will be an OPDV sponsored 2-4 day training in Albany for the fellow and the fellow's supervisors. This mandatory training will be held in early August 2017, and travel expenses will be covered by OPDV.
This two year Employment Fellowship Program is intended to enhance the capacity of community-based domestic violence services as well as inform the State of the needs and challenges faced by local programs.
Closing date: February, 3 2017 12:00 PM EST
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OVW Consolidated Grant Program to
Address Children and Youth
Experiencing Domestic and Sexual Assault and Engage Men and Boys as Allies
creates a unique opportunity for communities to increase collaboration among non-profit victim service providers, violence prevention programs, and child and youth organizations serving victims ages 0-24. Additionally, it supports organizations and programs that promote boys' and men's role in combating violence against women and girls. Eligible applicants are nonprofit, nongovernmental entities, Indian tribes or tribal nonprofit organizations, and territorial, tribal or unit of local government entities.
Closing date: February 16, 2017 11:59 PM EST
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Family Court Resource for Survivors with
Limited English Proficiency
Recently updated and now translated into six languages, Empire Justice Center is re-releasing their "Seeking Protection from Domestic Violence in New York's Family Court." This
resource provides answers to frequently asked questions about how to obtain an order of protection and to fully access Family Court.
All too often, victims of domestic violence find the court system overwhelming and confusing as they attempt to seek help and some degree of protection from an abuser. This is an even bigger issue for immigrants, who may not speak English very well or at all. In addition to the very real fear of retribution from the abuser, concerns about possible deportation or other immigration issues may prevent these victims from seeking help from law enforcement or the courts, trapping them in a vicious cycle of abuse due to mistrust or anxiety.
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Post-election Survivor Safety and Immigration Policy
Question & Answer
The National Latin@ Network, a project of Casa de Esperanza, has put together a Question & Answer (Q&A) document for advocates and attorneys serving immigrant survivors of Gender-based violence. The Q&A on immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, includes information for undocumented survivors and survivors who may be eligible for VAWA self-petitions, U visas, T visas or applying for gender-based asylum.
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Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers
We know that sexual violence affects every nation, population, and culture. But conflict and displacement can heighten vulnerabilities and diminish protective factors, increasing refugees' and asylum seekers' risk of experiencing sexual violence while decreasing or interrupting their access to vital survivor services.
Refugees and asylum seekers are integral members of our communities. The United States resettles more refugees than any other country on earth -
more than 69,900 in the federal fiscal year 2015 alone. These individuals often have unique needs that organizations - including those conducting sexual violence prevention and response - should address.
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How NYC Is Helping Immigrant Survivors Of Domestic Violence
Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence (OCDV) and the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs want NYC's immigrant population to know their rights when they are victims of crime. In October, OCDV partnered with the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) to produce a one-pager to succinctly outline resources survivors can access, also discussed in a Huffington Post op-ed by OCDV Commissioner Noel and MOIA Commissioner Agarwal.
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Guide for Engaging and Supporting Parents
Affected by Domestic Violence
This guide is designed for staff in domestic violence programs and provides practical guidance for supporting parents affected by domestic violence in their parenting. Using core principles and strategies, the guide helps frame an approach that is aimed at enhancing parenting capacities and strengthening parent-child bonds. Through self-guided questions, reflection, and real-life examples, this guide offers a pathway for deepening our engagement with parents and holding sensitive conversations in the context of our relationships.
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Webinars, Events & Trainings
(descriptions are taken directly from the host's event announcements)
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Adult Sex Offenders - What You Need to Know Webinar
This presentation provides information on adults who have been convicted of a sex offense, including a description of this population and a review of assessment, treatment and supervision issues. A number of special topics are also addressed, including juvenile and female offenders, as well as those who view child sexual abuse imagery.
Webinar materials are presentation slides and other handouts, including responses to questions submitted by webinar participants. For example:
- Isn't sexual violence about power and control?
- How are re-offense rates calculated/determined, and how reliable are they, given that sexual assault is such an under-reported crime?
- Are assessments like the SOTIPS designed to be scored based on perceived risk to sexually re-offend, or to commit new crimes in general?
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Legal Resource Center on Violence Against Women
Using Jurisdictional Statutes to Assist Domestic Violence Survivors: Beyond the Basics
February 16, 2017
11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
This training will build upon the foundation established by the LRC's previous training programs, which provided participants with an overview of the various federal and state laws that govern interstate custody cases. The training is appropriate for attorneys and advocates who have participated in a previous LRC training and/or who have some experience with interstate custody cases. Training topics are selected based upon participants' questions in previous trainings and on technical assistance requests. Among other topics, the training will address the following: strategies for advising clients who are contemplating leaving a jurisdiction with their children; the relationship between civil protection orders that include custody provisions and custody orders that have been issued as part of a custody or divorce case; the basis for continuing exclusive jurisdiction in a custody case under federal or state law; and recent and emerging trends in interstate custody practice and case law.
Any questions can be directed to Amie at (301) 270-1550 or at anl@lrcvaw.org.
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End Violence Against Women International
Immigration Financial Support - Using the 1-864 to transition to self-sufficiency
February 16, 2017
1:00 PM -2:30 PM EST
Course Description
When non-citizens leave abusive households they are often left with little means of support. Language barriers can make employment difficult, and many types of public assistance are unavailable. But tens of thousands - perhaps hundreds of thousands - may be eligible to receive financial support from their visa sponsors.
Under law in effect since 1996, certain non-citizens are entitled to financial support from their visa sponsor. In virtually all family-based immigration cases, the sponsor is required to file a Form I-864, Affidavit of Support. By signing the Form I-864, the sponsor promises to ensure that the immigrant has income at or above 125% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This obligation lasts until the immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, is credited with 40 work quarters, leaves the US under certain circumstances, or dies.
But divorce does not end the sponsor's support obligation. For this reason, some immigrants can use the Form I-864 to recover financial support from abusive spouses, even when a divorce court would be unable to award alimony.
It is important for advocates to understand the support rights of the Form I-864. This support can provide crucial resources to clients who are transitioning to self-sufficiency. Form I-864 support may be available to clients who would normally not qualify for public benefits.
Law enforcement may benefit from an understanding of the Form I-864 when working with non-citizen survivors. Cooperating with investigators will only strengthen the survivor's legal claim for support by documenting the individual's bona fide reason for leaving her sponsor and requiring support.
This training will help advocates, law enforcement and other professionals identify clients/survivors who might be able to benefit from the Form I-864. Learn easy questions that can be added to your intake procedure to screen for potential eligibility. Learn to assess the scope of support to which an individual might be eligible, and what steps may be taken to enforce the support obligation.
Presenter
Greg McLawsen
, JD
Managing Attorney
Immigration Support Advocates
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The Northwest Network
"There's No One I can Trust" Rethinking Mandatory Reporting Practices
February 21, 2017
3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST
In honor of Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, the National LGBTQ Institute on IPV will be presenting a webinar on its 2016 report "There's No One I Can Trust": The impact of mandatory reporting on the help-seeking and wellbeing of domestic violence survivors.
In this webinar, we will unpack the impact of mandatory reporting on help seeking and identify practical strategies advocates can use to decrease negative consequences of reporting and increase survivor safety and self-determination.
Presented by The National LGBTQ Institute on IPV.
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Battered Women's Justice Project
What Works: Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in the Criminal Justice System's Response to Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
February 27-March 1, 2017
Jacksonville, FL
Join the Battered Women's Justice Project (BWJP) and a group of esteemed national experts in sunny Jacksonville, Florida for a stimulating two and a half day conference. This training will provide law enforcement, prosecutors and advocates the opportunity to connect with peers from around the country to examine and discuss the impact of gender bias on the criminal justice system's response to domestic and sexual violence. Framed by the recent Department of Justice guidance, "Identifying and Preventing Gender Bias in Law Enforcement Response to Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence," participants will have the opportunity to identify how gender bias is at work in their own systems and learn ways to address it.
Logistics & Registration
There are no registration or training fees to attend. This conference is open to OVW Improving Criminal Justice Responses (formerly GTEAP or "Arrest" ) grantees and OVW Rural Grantees. These OVW grantees are pre-approved to use grant travel funds to attend.
- Improving Criminal Justice Responses grantees must use their OVW-issued grant number to register for this training.
- Rural grantees, please register using this number: 2011-WEAX-1933.
Registration/hotel deadline is February 3, 2016.
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The National Center for Public Safety
Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication Institute
The National Center for Campus Public Safety (NCCPS) is excited to announce that we will be delivering our Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication Institute at a variety of locations through March 2017. Locations include:
- February 28-March 3, 2017 at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO
- March 14-17, 2017 at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA
In the Not Alone report, the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault charged the NCCPS to develop a Trauma-Informed Sexual Assault Investigation and Adjudication educational program for campus officials. To meet this mandate, we have worked with nationally recognized subject matter experts in the fields of sexual and gender violence investigations, Title IX, the Clery Act, victim's advocacy, student
conduct and psychology, to develop an educational program on this groundbreaking curriculum.
The intended audience for this course is campus officials involved in the investigation and adjudication of sexual and gender violence cases at your institution. These officials may include: Title IX Coordinators, administrative investigators, hearing boards, appeals boards, student conduct professionals, residential life staff, human resources, deans of students, advocates, legal counsel, public safety personnel and others.
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Employment Opportunities
(descriptions are taken directly from the host's employment announcements)
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