Rosario de la Torre, a proud Latina from Mexico City, came to the United States in 1986 with her parents and siblings to attended school and learn English, with the idea of returning one day. For the last 30 years Rosario has been devoted to support survivors in the areas…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsAvery-Grace Blanco has been working with survivors and their families for nine years, since she was a senior in high school. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in three years from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and took graduate level coursework focused on human rights and social justice…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsBy Leah Johnson - Communications/Fund Development Assistant Gun violence (GV) is an element of violence that has taken the nation by storm on numerous scales. With drastic statistics from past years, such as it being the leading cause of death for children and teenagers ages 1-19, gun violence has proven…
#Firearms #Gender Based Violence #NewsIntroducing the National Restraining Order Center (NROC) Expanding Safety and Access for Survivors At BWJP, we are committed to strengthening legal protections for survivors of gender-based violence. That’s why we’re launching the National Restraining Order Center (NROC)—a new, comprehensive Center that expands our work on restraining orders to better serve…
#Gender Based Violence #News #Protection OrdersBy: Esther Aparicio, Esq., SAVES Attorney Advisor “Why don’t you just leave?” It’s a question many survivors of domestic violence hear all too often—one that is not only hurtful and judgmental but dangerously overlooks the increased risks that survivors face when trying to escape an abusive situation. For many, escaping…
#Children and Teens #Gender Based Violence #NewsBy Diana Griffin, Esq. Attorney Advisor, National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence This April, as we honor Child Abuse Awareness Month, we are reminded that every child is not guaranteed safety in their home. The recent incident, where Cody Balmer set fire to Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro’s residence, highlights…
#Children and Teens #Gender Based Violence #NewsBy Alyssa Toledo, Communications Associate I've spent most of my life searching for freedom. As a queer, Mexican American kid growing up in a turbulent home, I learned early how to survive by making myself small—by hiding, by quieting my voice, by pretending everything was fine. But survival isn't the…
#Children and Teens #Gender Based Violence #LGBTQ+ #NewsEsther is passionate about advocacy for survivors of domestic violence. Prior to joining BWJP, Esther worked for Northeast New Jersey Legal services providing legal representation in all areas of family law. More recently, Esther served as a Senior Staff Attorney at Partners, representing survivors of domestic violence in final restraining…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsBy BWJP Staff As we start 2025, many people set goals to improve their lives. These goals might include saving money, getting healthier, or fixing things they struggled with before. While personal goals help us grow and may change throughout the years, BWJP stays focused on our mission to promote…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsI’ve been working with non-profits for over a decade in various roles. For the past 11+ years, I’ve been with a national non-profit advocating for immigrant survivors, focusing on operations, financial management, communications, and broader organizational needs. My work has centered on building strong infrastructure to better support and strengthen…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsAnnie began working in the gender-based violence field over 20 years ago. For the last 14 years, she led coordinated community response efforts for Rose Brooks Center in Kansas City, Missouri. She worked with police, prosecutors, probation and parole officers and other professionals to enhance victim safety and offender accountability.…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsBy Christina M. Jones, Esq. The holidays can be a challenging time, especially for survivors of sexual assault who may feel anxious about encountering their abuser. Sexual violence often comes from someone familiar, not a stranger. Research indicates that 90% of survivors know the person who harmed them. For many,…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsBWJP Welcomes Alyssa Toledo, as the new Comms Associate at BWJP. BWJP is excited to welcome Alyssa to our team. With a rich background in film and storytelling, Alyssa brings a unique perspective to our mission of improving the family court system and supporting those impacted by gender-based violence. Her…
#BWJP Announcements #Children and Teens #NewsBy Diana Griffin, Attorney Advisor, National Legal Center on Children and Domestic Violence In November, following Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we continue the conversation by focusing on children’s safety in custody cases involving family violence. Access to representation helps survivors advocate for their own and their children's safety. Yet, in…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsSeek to understand Tribal Sovereignty By Cindene Pezzell, Esq., Director of the National Defense Center for Criminalized Survivors At first glance, two devastating consequences of the colonization of the Americas appear contradictory: Indigenous women and girls are disproportionately victims of gender-based violence. According to a 2016 study by the National…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsA Message from Amy Sánchez, CEO of the Battered Women's Justice Project This October, we proudly celebrate 40 years of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the first federal legislation dedicated to supporting emergency shelters and services for victims of domestic violence and their families. Over the past…
#BWJP Announcements #Gender Based Violence #NewsBy Patrice Tillery and Veronica Thomas This 3-part Survivor Story Series by Patrice Tillery and Veronica Thomas explores the complex reasons why survivors may stay in abusive relationships and what eventually gives them the strength to leave. The series aims to unveil the invisible barriers—emotional, financial, and psychological—that trap survivors,…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsWhy We Stayed Series (Some identifying information such as names, dates, and locations have been redacted to protect the identities of survivors telling their stories.) By Patrice Tillery and Veronica Thomas Deciding to leave an abusive relationship is a painful journey marked by deep internal conflict. For many survivors, the…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsWhy We Stayed Series (Some identifying information such as names, dates, and locations have been redacted to protect the identities of survivors telling their stories.) By Patrice Tillery and Veronica Thomas Patrice and Veronica share their experiences to shed light on the complexities of gender-based violence (GBV). Telling their stories…
#Gender Based Violence #NewsWhy We Stayed Series (Some identifying information such as names, dates, and locations have been redacted to protect the identities of survivors telling their stories.) By Patrice Tillery and Veronica Thomas “If he was so abusive, then why did she stay?” Often, when people hear about someone in an abusive…
#Gender Based Violence #News
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