In the United States April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities on how to prevent it. READ MORE […]
Read More… from April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Children and teenagers need a variety of resources in order to thrive, grow, and later succeed as adults. They need the support and love of their parents and families, financial resources and economic stability, access to quality education, opportunities for employment, and avenues for contributing in other ways to their families and communities. For young […]
If Adam slept through the night, he knew, it would be good day. But that didn’t happen often, even after a relative stopped raping him. Now 34, Adam says the abuse began when he was 14 and stopped as soon as he turned 18. His relative warned him that if he told their family, it […]
Read More… from What it’s like to be a male survivor of sexual assault
“From barriers in education, to a gender-based pay gap that widens with race, to disparities in both diagnoses and outcomes for many diseases, our society forces Black women to clear many hurdles faced by no other group, and asks them to do it with little assistance,” said Congresswoman Watson Coleman. “Black women deserve a voice […]
Read More… from Congresswomen Launch First Ever Caucus on Black Women and Girls
People in communities of color who are struggling to achieve economic security often find themselves burdened by court-ordered financial obligations that they have no ability to pay. Frequently, this results in people being incarcerated in local jails due to courts’ unwillingness to examine, or disregard of, each person’s financial circumstances. Recognizing these harms, the U.S. […]
n October 2015, Backpage and its CEO, Carl Ferrer, received a congressional subpoena from the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs’ Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations to answer questions regarding the site’s safety protocols for ads, some of which have been connected to sex trafficking involving minors. Both parties, however, refused to cooperate in […]
Read More… from Senate Holds Backpage in Contempt of Congress in Sex Trafficking Investigation
Since September, the armed forces have court-martialed or filed sexual-assault charges against four colonels from the Air Force, Army and Marines. In addition, a Navy captain was found guilty of abusive sexual contact during an administrative hearing. Historically, it has been extremely rare for senior military officers to face courts-martial. Leaders suspected of wrongdoing are […]
Read More… from More High Ranking Officers Being Charged With Sex Crimes Against Subordinates
As we increasingly rely on digital assistants like Apple’s Siri or Samsung’s S Voice, many question the extent to which these systems should be programmed to respond to crises like rape or domestic assault. For the time being, a recent study finds, they’re scarcely of any use. The primary objective was to [evaluate] the responses […]
Read More… from Study Finds That Digital Assistants Do Not Understand Rape Crises
Women who experience domestic violence while pregnant are twice as likely to give birth to a premature baby or a baby with low birth weight, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Iowa performed a meta-analysis on 50 studies that looked at the effects of domestic violence on pregnancy, evaluating data from […]
Read More… from Domestic Violence During Pregnancy Doubles Risk of Premature Birth
In most college sexual assault cases, schools take the early step of instituting a no-contact order between the alleged victim and the accused assailant. The order, similar to a restraining order, serves as an interim accommodation for the person reporting an assault. It helps keep the two parties away from each other before, during or […]
Read More… from This Common Response To Campus Sexual Assault Doesn’t Actually Protect Victims
Embark on an interactive and transformative journey with advocacy groups across the country to explore our collective roots and renew our efforts to end violence against women and children. Whether we work with those who have been sexually assaulted, battered, or stalked, or with women who are trafficked or prostituted, we share the same vision: […]
Read More… from Advocacy Learning Center Now Accepting Applications
Recognizing that the Department of Justice’s 2014 decision to grant special domestic violence criminal jurisdiction under VAWA was a “historic” step toward upholding tribal sovereignty, advocates and tribal leaders say that the law should be expanded upon to grant greater protections to tribal citizens at risk of assaults by non-Natives, and that Nations should receive […]
Reducing teen dating violence in the United States is the aim of a new program introduced by federal health officials. This is a widespread problem that can have serious effects. But, many teens don’t report incidents because they’re afraid to tell their family and friends, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. The […]
Read More… from Teen Dating Violence Is Target of New CDC Program
The Vera Institute of Justice today released three guidebooks aimed at fostering community policing strategies and building trust with diverse communities. The release was announced by Attorney General Loretta Lynch at the launch of the second phase of her national Community Policing Tour at the Doral Police Department in Miami-Dade County, highlighting the first pillar […]
Read More… from New Guidebooks Aim to Help Police Officers Connect With Diverse Communities
On Thursday, January 28, Tania Adams, a 41-year-old mother of three, was gunned down by her estranged husband in the clubhouse of a planned community she worked at in Homestead, Florida. He then wounded one of her co-workers before fatally shooting himself. According to a fundraising drive set up to help pay for her funeral […]
Every activist worth her hand-lettered sign knows that it takes collaboration to create change, and February 9th marks a linking of arms between the leaders of organizations that seek to center the rights of Black women. Regina Mahone, the managing editor of RH Reality Check, lead a discussion with Monica Raye Simpson, executive director of […]
Among the countless ads airing during Super Bowl 50, there will be an anti-domestic violence spot from the group No More. It’s the second consecutive year the organization’s public service announcements air during the big game. Domestic violence and the NFL have been unhappily coupled more than a few times in recent years, perhaps no […]
Read More… from Revisiting the NFL’S Domestic Violence Efforts
At the new year’s dawn, New York Police Commissioner William J. Bratton made an unprecedented announcement: The city had experienced a sharp increase in reported rapes, driven in part by victims bringing forward years-old assaults. One-fifth of the assaults reported in 2015 happened at least a year prior to the police complaint, dating back as […]
Read More… from Bill Cosby May Have Changed Police Rape Investigations
With one in three teens experiencing some form of abuse from a dating partner, now is the time to have conversations about dating violence with the teens in your life. Even if you don’t see the warning signs, learning how to create healthy relationships and avoid abusive ones are skills that will last a lifetime. […]
Read More… from February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
FSU must report on these efforts every year for the next five years. It’s the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history. This settlement is a win for survivors everywhere. Through her bravery, resilience and integrity, Erica was able to transcend her traumatic experience, stand up to FSU’s institutional betrayal and show other sexual […]
Read More… from Survivor Victory: Erica Kinsman Wins Historic Settlement Against Florida State
Jurors had recommended that Daniel Holtzclaw be sentenced to 263 years in prison for preying on women in 2013 and 2014. District Judge Timothy Henderson agreed, said Holtzclaw will serve the terms consecutively and denied his request for an appeal bond. Holtzclaw waived his right to remain in custody in the county jail for 10 […]
Read More… from Ex-Cop Gets 263 Years For Raping, Sexually Assaulting Black Women While On Patrol
Although the body of research on post-disaster violence is limited, the available information from recent experiences has demonstrated that gender violence is a critical issue facing communities affected by disasters. Concerns about injuries, infectious diseases and the provision of basic needs often take precedence over the surveillance of violence in the aftermath of a disaster. […]
Read More… from Special Collection: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response
Sexual assault has become a dominant topic on the nation’s college campuses in recent years, as student activists have spoken out and the Obama administration has pushed for institutional change. But it has largely remained a hidden issue in elementary, middle and high schools, where parents assume their children are supervised and safe. Now there […]
Even the baby, at 7 months old, seemed to know something wasn’t right. She cried and trembled, inconsolable. Her big brother, only 5, was tense. Their mother was scared and on the run, and they could feel it. Lily, whose real name has been changed to protect her identity, had recently ended a relationship with […]
Read More… from When Women Must Choose Between Abuse And Homelessness
Imagine that it’s midnight and you’re hiding in a bathroom, terrified. You didn’t want to call 911, but you were desperate. When the paramedics arrive, you feel momentarily relieved. Then they start to ask you questions—Have you had anything to drink tonight? Was there an argument? What did you say that triggered the violence? Suddenly, […]
It’s difficult to adequately describe the impact Ellen had on our lives and our work here at BWJP, and indeed on the whole movement to end violence against women. Ellen’s legacy is one of critical analysis, compassionate listening, delightful humor, and commitment to justice. Below a few of Ellen’s close colleagues and friends describe her […]
Gun violence has taken a heartbreaking toll on too many communities across the country. Over the past decade in America, more than 100,000 people have been killed as a result of gun violence—and millions more have been the victim of assaults, robberies, and other crimes involving a gun. Many of these crimes were committed by […]
Read More… from President Obama Announces Executive Actions to Reduce Gun Violence
A groundbreaking law on domestic abuse takes effect today in England and Wales. It expands the meaning of domestic violence to include psychological and emotional torment. So it is now a crime there to control your spouse, say, through social media or online stalking. Experts in domestic violence say it represents a new way to […]
Read More… from England And Wales Expand The Meaning Of Domestic Abuse
Activists largely welcomed China’s first national anti-domestic violence law on Monday, although some criticized the apparent omissions of sexual violence and gay couples. The law approved Sunday by China’s legislature will take effect in March, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. Women’s federations and civil organizations have been pushing for a law to protect victims […]
Read More… from Activists Welcome China’s 1st Domestic Violence Law
Attorney General Loretta Lynch announced new guidance Tuesday designed to help law enforcement prevent gender bias when responding to sexual assault and domestic violence incidents. “We know that sometimes this bias, whether implicit or explicit, can stand in the way of effective law enforcement and can severely undermine law enforcement’s ability to hold the offenders […]
Read More… from Cops Get New Guidance On Responding To Sexual Assault And Domestic Violence
One of the hottest topics in domestic violence and policing, and policing generally, is the use of body cameras by law enforcement. This issue has become increasingly debated as the public demand for police accountability is on the rise, and technology enhancements offer new opportunities for better data capture. However, the application of body-worn cameras […]
Read More… from Police Body Cameras in Domestic and Sexual Assault Investigations
This guide addresses concerns, answers common questions, and provides accurate information on signing I-918B and I-914B forms for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement, prosecutors, judges, and other government agencies qualified to sign U visa certifications such as the EEOC, federal and state labor departments, adult and child protective services, and any other […]
Read More… from DHS Releases New U and T Visa Law Enforcement Resource Guide
Facts of the Case Following a hearing on a petitioner’s application for a civil protection order, the trial court found that the petition and testimony satisfied Kentucky’s statutory standards for the issuance of an order. On the docket sheet in the court file, the trial court noted additional findings of fact, including that “9 of […]
Read More… from Court Holds that Judges May Consider Risk Factors
Today is the first day of Domestic Violence Awareness Month! While we’ve made great strides to address this rampant issue (through legislation like the Violence Against Women Act, programs that help support survivors and victims of abuse, and efforts to teach young people about healthy relationships), there’s still so much work to be done. While […]
Read More… from October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Transgender survivors of sexual assault – who make up approximately half of the trans community – face unique healing issues. To help meet those unique needs, FORGE is announcing the publication of “Transgender Sexual Violence Survivors: A Self-Help Guide to Healing and Understanding,” which is available now. This 132-page document is densely packed with information […]
This Washington Post editorial features work done by the Montgomery County (Maryland) Court Watch program. The report found that 71% of judges did not require “staggered exits,” a nationally recognized best practice that protects victims of domestic violence from intimidation and threats by their abusers after leaving court. Read full article […]
Read More… from An Extra Safety Measure for Domestic Violence Victims
Advocates for victims of domestic violence are often asked about victims’ lack of engagement or “cooperation” with the criminal justice process. This article provides a thorough analysis about why victims may strategically choose not to participate in criminal cases against their abusers. Read full article […]
Read More… from Why Victims of Domestic Violence Don’t Testify, Particularly Against NFL Players
The toolkit has two main goals: to provide information about common technologies, including assistive technology, and to identify ways older adults can safeguard themselves from those who misuse technology to control, harass, stalk, and/or threaten them. Read full article […]
Read More… from NCALL Releases Technology Safety Toolkit for Older Adults
