BWJP Welcomes Rachel Barkley, as the new Staff Attorney for the Center for Legal Approaches to Prevent Family Violence
Rachel Barkley (they/she) recently graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and took the New York Bar Exam. Prior to law school, Rachel received their Master of Business Administration in Music Business from Southern New Hampshire University and Berklee College of Music and their Bachelor of Arts in Screenwriting from Albright College. At Cardozo, Rachel was an active member of the campus community – they founded the Cardozo Alliance for Sexual Aggression Prevention and served as the Student Director of Diversity and Inclusion for the Student Bar Association. Rachel participated in Sanctuary for Families Uncontested Divorce Project, the Cardozo Civil Rights Clinic, and the Cardozo Criminal Defense Clinic; they interned with Safe Horizon’s Domestic Violence Law Project, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office’s Domestic Violence Unit, and Crumiller P.C., the feminist litigation firm. In their free time, they volunteered with the New York City Parks Department’s Stewardship Team, End Rape on Campus’ Student Survivor Caucus, and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault’s Student Leadership Training Institute. Rachel is so excited to learn from the folks here at BWJP and is grateful for the opportunity!
"Rachel's personal experiences, as well as their law, advocacy, and community engagement background, makes them a strong addition to our team. We're thrilled to have them! " - Amy J. Sánchez, CEO BWJP
Meet Rachel
Q: What brought you into the field of gender-based violence?
- My own experiences of gender-based violence brought me into the field. As a survivor of campus sexual violence, workplace sexual violence, and intimate partner violence, I had a deep desire to use my experiences to impact the lives of women and gender minorities who are experiencing violence and made a complete change in my life trajectory.
Q: What drew you to BWJP?
- One of the main things that drew me to BWJP was the organization’s emphasis on acknowledging intersectionality and recognizing the impact that holding a racialized identity, being a member of then LGBTQIA+ community, or coming from another marginalized community has on one’s experience as a survivor and access to services, empathy, and understanding.
Q: What are you most looking forward to working at BWJP?
- I’m most looking forward to learning from all of the wonderful attorneys, advocates, and professionals that work within the organization. I am excited to have the opportunity to meet with and learn from all of the directors from the different centers.
Q: How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
- I like to spend my time outside of work traveling, camping and hiking, reading, playing The Sims 4, and exercising. I also love playing fetch with my cat, Bruno, watching YouTube video essays, and going to WNBA games with my partner (let’s go Liberty!) I also love astrology (I’m a Capricorn Sun, Cancer Moon, Aquarius Rising) and reading tarot cards.