Articles

National Baseline Assessment of Shelters on Serving Transgender Survivors

FORGE is seeking responses from a wide range of agencies who provide emergency shelter and temporary or transitional housing to individuals/families who have experienced domestic violence, intimate partner violence, partner abuse, or other intimate crimes. The purpose of this assessment is to examine how shelters are currently serving transgender and…

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Department of Justice Allocates $38 Million to Untested Rape Kits

“Testing rape kits sends a fundamental and crucial message to victims of sexual violence,” said Maile M. Zambuto, CEO of sexual-assault advocacy organization Joyful Heart Foundation. “You matter. What happened to you matters.” The average cost of testing a rape kit is between $1,000 and $1,500. They contain DNA swabs…

New Website Promotes Enforcement of Firearms Restrictions in Domestic Violence Cases

The website Safer Families, Safer Communities (www.preventdvgunviolence.org), will be managed by BWJP’s new National Domestic Violence and Firearms Resource Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).  The website will promote the efforts of communities around the country to prevent domestic violence-related homicides through comprehensive implementation and…

BWJP Seeks Project Director, National Center on Domestic Violence & Firearms

Organization The Battered Women's Justice Project (BWJP) is a national resource center on the civil and criminal justice system response to intimate partner violence (IPV). Position & Location Project Director, full-time, supervised by the Legal Policy Director. Location: Minneapolis preferred. Responsibilities Management Develop and manage a national effort to improve…

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Joyful Heart Foundation Applauds $38 Million Awarded to Rape Kit Reform

“We are grateful to President Obama, Vice President Biden, and the congressional leaders who continue to make ending the rape kit backlog a priority. Focusing a national effort on comprehensive reform demonstrates a commitment to survivors that we will do everything possible to bring healing and justice,” said Maile M.…

He’s going to kill me’: Police indifference to a woman stalked

On a warm Saturday night in July, about 50 graduates of Chisholm High’s class of ’96 gathered at Valentini’s Supper Club. Under the glow of fairy lights, surrounded by balloons and the sweeping fresco of some Italian villa, they mingled with beers and reminisced about high school reputations. Some had…

National Census of Victim Service Providers

RAND, the National Center for Victims of Crime, and survey firm NORC are conducting the NCVSP, a census of victim service providers that is the first phase of a new BJS victim services research program. We need the help of every victim service program to participate in this census, which…

More than 1,600 Women Murdered by Men in One Year, New Study Finds

More than 1,600 women were murdered by men in 2014 and the most common weapon used was a gun, according to the new Violence Policy Center (VPC) study When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2014 Homicide Data. This annual VPC report is being released in advance of Domestic Violence…

HUD Finalizes Rule to Ensure Shelters Protect Homeless Trans People

This follows similar Department of Justice guidance for domestic violence shelters and other programs funded by the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Over 300 national, state, and local organization advocating for victims of sexual and domestic violence have vocally supported ensuring access to facilities such as homeless shelters that are…

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HUD Announces New Protections for Victims

HUD issued its Nuisance Guidance as the country marks the 22nd anniversary of the Violence Against Women's Act (VAWA). Through the VAWA 2013 reauthorization, protections have been expanded to nearly all HUD programs. Previously, only residents of public housing and Section 8 tenant-based and project-based programs were covered. HUD's final Harassment…