Amendment Passed to Protect Sexual Assault Survivors

Yesterday Senate Amendment 2588 to the Department of Defense Appropriations bill was passed, prohibiting defense contractors from requiring mandatory binding arbitration for sexual assault, employment discrimination, and sexual harassment cases. This is a step in the right direction for protecting the rights of sexual assault/harassment survivors as well as other historically marginalized groups, such as people of color and women, in the workplace.

Previously, defense contractors were able to have all their employees sign contracts stipulating that certain claims, such as sexual assault claims, could not be brought to court. Instead they were required to be settled outside of court and the decision made during the out of court proceeding would be legally binding. Unlike a court proceeding, there is not public record or transcript of arbitration proceedings and the case is not heard by a judge or jury. As stopfamilyviolence.org put it:

“Mandatory binding arbitration allows corporations to systematically deny workers their civil rights and then escape public accountability for these actions because forced arbitration is a secret process operated by private companies who are accountable to no one.”

Thus Senate Amendment 2588 holds defense contractors accountable for their actions, allows the public to keep a watchful eye on them, and provides an avenue of justice for employees.

For information on how the Senate voted, click here

For more information on the background of the amendment, click here

Shopping to End Domestic Violence

Been meaning to get a new pair of shoes? Or maybe try out new beauty products? Macy’s, Marshall’s and The Body Shop are all donating to various organizations that seek to end domestic violence.

FVRP and Macy’s

The Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF), which works to prevent violence against women and children,  in partnership with Macy’s is sponsoring a Shop for a Cause, one-day shopping event on October 17.

How it works:

1) Purchase Shop for a Cause shopping passes for $5 at participating Macy’s nationwide and receive AWESOME discounts and deals.

2) ALL proceeds from the shopping passes will go to FVPF.

3) SHOP your HEART out!  Shop at Macy’s store locations or www.macys.com

National Domestic Violence Hotline and Marshalls

The National Domestic Violence Hotline and Marshalls have teamed up for Domestic Violence Awareness Month and want you to buy shoes!

How it works:

1) Go to Marshalls and purchase shoes for you, your friend, your brother, your long lost cousin, whoever!

2) For ever pair of shoes purchased Marshalls will donate $1 to The National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Now put on those new shoes and walk over to your nearest Macy’s and The Body Shop and keep on shopping!

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Body Shop

The Body Shop and the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) are partnering up again this year. The Body Shop is selling a “For Me, For You” shea lip care duo packaged with the message “Break the Silence on Domestic Violence” that is meant to be shared with a friend as part of their “Stop the Violence at Home Campaign”

How it works:

1) Purchase the a “For Me, For You” shea lip care duo at The Body Shop online

2) A part of the proceeds from your purchase will benefit NCADV

3) Share with a friend!

And if you don’t feel like shopping but would still like to donate, you can donate to numerous organizations including DVRP And this can be done here

Happy shopping!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month!!!

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month so be on the lookout for TONS of opportunities to learn about and get involved with domestic violence issues!!  Organizations, such as yours truly, DVRP, and the YWCA, and co operations, like Macy’s, are hosting and sponsoring events to support and raise money to end domestic violence and create safe spaces for survivors. If you have been meaning to start volunteering or just need something to do, DVRP will be tabling at various events, so come by, say “Hi,”  participate, and donate your time/money/energy to any and all Domestic Violence Awareness events!! Hope to see you around!!

Check the blog frequently for updates

SAALT’s Be The Change 2009: Annual Day of Service

Be the Change is the annual national day of service coordinated by SAALT.  Every year, thousands of volunteers across the country participate in the spirit of Mahatma Gandhi’s famous quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

Service projects include:

Discovery Program in Atlanta!
Sustainable Food Center in Austin!
Parents and Community Build Group in Boston!
Albany Park Neighborhood Council in Chicago!
Partnerships for Parks in New York City!
Second Harvest Food Bank in the San Francisco Bay Area!
Academy of Hope in Washington, DC!

How do I get involved?

• Click here to sign up to volunteer for Be the Change in your city or campus!
• Spread the word! Invite your family, friends and colleagues to participate in Be the Change!
• Questions? Contact Aaditi Dubale, National Be the Change Coordinator, at btc2009@saalt.org.

Health Insurance Reform and the South Asian Community (via SAALT Policy Round-Up)

Over the past few weeks, everyone has been watching what is happening with health insurance reform. While it will likely take time for Congress complete its work on the issue, movement on proposed policy is occurring rapidly and the substance of legislation is constantly changing. Below are some resources you can turn to for finding out more about what is at stake in the debate.

Want to know what exactly health insurance reform is and how South Asian community members could be affected? Check out two SAALT resources that break down “What You Need to Know About the Health Insurance Reform” and “Health Issues Affecting South Asians in the United States.”

Are you a Health Care Professional who can write an Op-ed in Support of Health Insurance Reform? South Asian doctors, nurses, and medical professionals can lend a powerful voice in support of health insurance reform.Contact SAALT at saalt@saalt.org if you are interested in developing a piece.

Want to know what is in proposed legislation and where it is in Congress?
Check out the Kaiser Family Foundation’s tools that summarize and compare pending legislation. Below is a brief rundown about the status of where the various bills are in the legislative process.

* House of Representatives: Three House committees have written separate reform bills that have been combined to create the America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200). This bill is expected to be debated and voted upon by the House in September. In addition, the Congressional Asian Pacific American, Black, and Hispanic Caucuses have also introduced the Health Equity and Accountability Act (H.R. 3090) that addresses health disparities in minority communities.
* Senate:Two committees (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, or HELP; and Finance) committees have written separate reform bills. The Finance Committee bill is currently being voted upon by the committee. Once both committees have finalized their versions, they will be combined, debated and voted on by the full Senate.

Want to know how you can weigh in during the debate? There are a few simple ways community members can get involved.

1. Let the House Energy and Commerce Committee Know You Oppose Anti-Immigrant Amendments: The House and Commerce committee is currenlty debating its version of health insurance reform. Congressman Deal of Georgia has introduced an amendment that would require legal immigrants to wait five years before being able to participate in the health insurance exchange and impose citizenship documentation requirements for immigrants seeking subsidies. If your Representative is on this committee, contact them and let them know you OPPOSE the Deal Amendment to H.R. 3200. (Click here and go to “My Elected Officials” in the left sidebar to find out who your member of Congress is. Click here to find out if they sit on this committee.)

2. Let the Senate Finance Committee Know Your Position on Debated Amendments: The Senate Finance Committee is currently debating and amending its long-awaited health insurance reform bill. Various amendments could have a significant impact on immigrants’ access to health coverage. If one of your Senators on the Senate Finance Committee, let them where you stand on the following amendments. (Click here to find out if your Senator is on the Committee.)

OPPOSE

* Ensign Amendment #C1: Forces legal immigrants to wait five years or longer before obtaining affordable health coverage.
* Ensign Amendment #C3: Creates additional barriers to healthcare care for legal immigrants.
* Grassley Amendment #C8: Prevents U.S. citizens and legal immigrants from accessing Medicaid due to onerous identification requirements.
* Schumer Amendment #C11: Requires use of a biometric system to authenticate U.S. citizens who need health care through the exchange.
* Kyl Amendment #C12: Prevents legal immigrants from accessing affordable health care by adding a 5-year waiting period for tax credits.
* Kyl Amendment #C14: Prevents legal immigrants from accessing affordable health care by adding a 5-year waiting period for tax credits.

SUPPORT

* Rockefeller Amendments #C19 and #C22: Removes the 5-yr waiting period for low-income, non-pregnant legal immigrant adults in Medicaid
* Menendez Amendment #C15: Protects U.S. citizens and legal immigrants with due process protections in the SAVE system for verification.
* Menendez/Bingaman Amendment #C2: Protects mixed status families by using the existing Medicaid formula for income eligibility for tax credits. Click here for more.
* Menendez/Rockefeller Amendment #C12: Protects access for legal immigrant children, pregnant women, and children in CHIP and Medicaid.

For more information about the current health care debate and it’s relevance to South Asian communities and other current action alerts and policy issues, check out South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) on their website http://www.saalt.org/ or contact  Priya Murthy, SAALT’s Policy Director, at saalt@saalt.org.

ifCON 2009 Atlanta, early registration ends this week!

Attention gay Asians and their friends. Time is running out to register
early for ifCON 2009 Atlanta! Early registration ends on December 31.
This is also the last chance to enter the drawing for an upgrade to a
luxurious Junior Suite at our host hotel.

Gay Asians and friends have already registered from the UK, Singapore,
and across North America.

With any luck you have visited our website (www.ifCON.org
<http://www.ifcon.org/> ) and have been receiving our monthly
eNewsletter with exciting information about ifCON 2009 Atlanta,
Celebrating iCON and Intentional Friendship Weekend, September 3-7,
2009. Thanks for the many positive comments we have received about the
website and eNewsletter. And, special thanks to those of you who have
already registered for ifCON. Future eNewsletters and website updates
will keep you fully informed about the conference.

If you haven’t been receiving the eNewsletter and want it, please let us
know at ifCON@ifCON.org <mailto:ifCON@ifCON.org> . We realize that in
many instances a server identifies e-mail from “ifCON.org” as spam and
dumps the eNewsletter directly into the spam box. If that is the case,
you may want to add ifCON.org to your address book.

We recently transmitted our December ifCON eNewsletter. We were pleased
to have had the Atlanta Gay Mens’ Chorus record this edition’s video
promotion. We hope that you enjoyed it.

Here are some links that you may be interest in. Please pass them along
to your friends:

ifCON 2009 Atlanta Website: www.ifCON.org <http://www.ifcon.org/>

To sign-up for the ifCON eNewsletter:
www.ifcon.org/

data/signupform.html
<http://www.ifcon.org/data/signupform.html>

ifCON eNewsletter archives (view the December and all earlier
eNewsletter editions):
www.community.icontact.com/p/ifcon2009/newsletters/archives
<http://www.community.icontact.com/p/ifcon2009/newsletters/archives>

To view our past, present and future ifCON video promotions:
http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ifconAtl
<http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=ifconAtl> or go to
www.youtube.com <http://www.youtube.com/> and search “ifCON”.

Thanks so much for your support. We look forward to seeing you in
Atlanta next September.

You will have a wonderful time, in 2009!

ACTION ALERT!

Action Alert!!!

CALL your Representative on friday, December 12^th to urge Him/HER to show support for ending domestic violence and assisting victims and programs by co-sponsoring H. Res. 1397.

On July 31, 2008, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX) and Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) Introduced H. Res. 1397 to commend the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV) for 30 years of service to victims of domestic violence and local shelters and service programs. To view the bill, go to http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:hr1397ih.txt.pdf or see attachment.

This week, Congressman Poe called on his colleagues to support victims of domestic violence by co-sponsoring H. Res. 1397. We ask that you join the Congressman’s efforts. The CALL to the House of Representatives will take place on Friday, December 12, 2008 between 10am and 5pmEST. If you cannot call on this day, please feel free to call your Representative at your convenience before December 19, 2008.

What To Do

1. Locate the phone number for the Washington, DC office of your District Representative. For more information on how to locate the phone number, go to http://www.ncadv.org/publicpolicy/ContactingCongress_84.html or see attachment.

2. When your call is answered, say your name, city and state, and ask to speak to the staffer who works on FVPSA, VAWA or women’s issues.

3. When the staffer (or his/her voicemail) answers, briefly introduce yourself (once again say your name, city and state, and organization, if applicable). Tell the staffer that you are calling to ask Representative __?__ to “co-sponsor H. Res. 1397, which commemorates the National coalition against domestic violence for 30 years of vital service to victims of domestic violence and the local shelters and programs that serve them.”

4. If you have time, you can tell the staffer about positive ways the NCADV has assisted victims and/or your programs. For instance, you can tell the staffer how the work the NCADV has done on “FVPSA” or “VAWA” have benefitted victims and/or your programs. For more information, go to http://www.ncadv.org/publicpolicy/ThePublicPolicyOffice_57.html.

5. If the staffer asks for the bill number, say H. Res. 1397. If the staffer would like more information about co-sponsorship, have him/her contact Congressional Staffer Tabatha Mansfield at 202.225.6565. If the staffer would like more information about FVPSA, VAWA or other legislative initiatives, have him/her contact NCADV Policy Manager Terri Harper at 202.745.1211.

A word of thanks!!!

The following Representatives have already co-sponsored H. Res. 1397. If your Representative is on this list, please call him/her to say how much you appreciate the support. You may also talk about positive ways the NCADV has assisted victims and/or your programs.

Gary L. Ackerman (D-5^th, NY)

Thomas H. Allen (D-1^st, ME)

Tammy Baldwin (D-2^nd, WI)

Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU)

Kevin Brady (R-8^th, TX)

Ginny Brown-Waite (R-5^th, FL)

Jim Costa (D-20^th, CA)

Keith Ellison (D-5^th, MN)

Raul M. Grijalva (D-7^th, AZ)

Maurice D. Hinchey (D-22^nd, NY)

Tim Holden (D-17^th, PA)

Rush D. Holt (D-12^th, NJ)

Michael M. Honda (D-15^th, CA)

John Lewis (D-5^th, GA)

Doris O. Matsui (D-5^th, CA)

Carolyn McCarthy (D-4^th, NY)

Betty McCollum (D-4^th, MN)

James P. McGovern (D-3^rd, MA)

Michael H. Michaud (D-2^nd, ME)

Dennis Moore (D-3^rd, KS)

Ted Poe (R-2^nd, TX)

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-34^th, CA)

Edolphus Towns (D-10^th, NY)

Afraid to make the call? Don’t be!

Your Members of Congress want to hear from you. In fact, they need to hear from you. Members of Congress rely on constituents for information on the issues facing their communities. Just remember, your Members of Congress are from your community. He or she is just like you! So, exercise your rights and take action on december 12^th!!! Help save lives and break the cycle of violence by urging your Representative to show support for domestic violence victims, shelters and programs by co-sponsoring H. Res. 1397.

Not sure you can lobby? Yes you can!

There are limitations on the lobbying efforts of non-profit organizations, but every American has the right to ask his/her public officials to take action.

Not a 100% Government Funded: If your organization or your position within your organization receives funding other than government funding, then you may use resources available to your organization in order to lobby public officials as long as the resources are not restricted or funded by government money. However, you must keep track of the resources you use for state and/or federal tax reporting purposes. Use this form (or see attachment) to keep track of your lobbying efforts. Keep one for yourself and email the other to the NCADV Policy Office at publicpolicy@ncadv.org or fax to 202.745.0088. For more information, talk with the appropriate person in your organization or contact the NCADV Policy Office at publicpolicy@ncadv.org or 202.745.1211.

100% Government Funded: If your organization or your position within your organization receives 100% government funding, then you MAY NOT use any resources available to your organization in order to lobby public officials. However, you may lobby as an Individual outside of your official capacity within your organization; to do so, simply use your home phone, fax, computer, personal cell phone, or personal stationery and stamp. You do not have to keep track of your lobbying efforts. However, please email this form (or see attachment) to the NCADV Policy Office at publicpolicy@ncadv.org or fax to 202.745.1211.

Wondering which to choose? If you want to contact your public officials as a representative of your organization, then you must report your organizational lobbying efforts. If you do not represent an organization, cannot represent your organization, or do not need to represent your organization, then you do not have to report your individual lobbying efforts.

See the bill!

View H. Res. 1397 at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:hr1397ih.txt.pdf or see attachment.

QUESTIONS?

Contact the NCADV Policy Office at publicpolicy@ncadv.org or 202.745.1211.

Thank you for your continued support of our efforts to end domestic violence and assist victims and their families!

Best Regards,

Terri Harper, ESQ.

Public Policy Manager

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

1633 Q Street NW, Suite 210 | Washington, DC 20009

Ph: 202.745.1211 | Fx. 202.745.0088| www.ncadv.org

Every Home a Safe Home

Bad, Bad Economy: How the Bad Economy Increases Risk for Survivors and Decreases Services Availible to Them

Power and Control, one thing the economy and abusive relationships have in common.

The economy is losing it, and the effects are certainly trickling down.

Working with survivors of DV/IPV and doing trainings about the effects of DV/IPV, DVRP can tell you how power and control are the main elements that fuel an abusive relationship, and economic power and control gets a LOT of mileage.

The effects the bad economy has on survivors can not be quantified.

The National Institute of Justice put out some great reports that detail how bad financial times in the household have a direct effect on increasing the risk of violence in that home, especially for those who are already at lower income levels. Here are some highlights:

The study showed that for couples where the male was always employed, the rate of IPV was 4.7 percent. When men experienced one period of unemployment the rate rose to 7.5 percent and when men experienced two or more periods of unemployment the rate for IPV rose to 12.3 percent.

The choice to stay or leave violent relationships may be based on the decision that a partner’s economic contribution to the relationship outweighs the risk of violence, and may compel women to live with men’s violent behavior rather than seek help or take other steps to leave violent relationships.

Violence against women in intimate relationships occurred more often and was more severe in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. According to a recent study the rate of IPV in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods is 8.7 percent compared with 4.3 percent in more economically advantaged neighborhoods.

Indeed, many women stay in abusive relationships because they are economically dependent on their abusers. However, women who may not be dependent on their partners, who have jobs and homes of their own, suffer more from the effects of the economic downturn than their male counterparts. Sexist economics is no stranger to the US! Brittany Schell, in OneWorld US, speaks about foreclosures for homes owned by women, domestic workers being laid off with no rights to severance pay, and women and children being disproportionately at risk to poverty. Schell reports :

Sara Gould, president and CEO of the Ms. Foundation, said that out of the 37 million Americans living in poverty, 27 million are women and children. In fact, she added, single mothers and their families are more likely to live in poverty than any other demographic group in the United States.

Men loose their jobs, and the risk of violence increases for the women and children living with them, especially for those already at low income levels, and for those who already have a history of DV/IPV. Women are loosing their livelihood, making it harder for them to have the means to leave an abusive situation. What does this mean?

There are more demands on DV/IPV service providers to provide assistance to survivors and their families.

However, service providers too are affected by the bad economy in terms of budget cuts and lack of funding. In the time that the community needs our services the most, our budgets are shrinking.

Sue Else, of the National Network to End Domestic Violence , reports:

At a time when more and more victims are reaching out for support and services, domestic violence programs throughout the country are struggling to meet the increasing requests for help.

The result is that battered women and their children have less access to services during the very time that they need it the most.

The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), a federal grant program funded entirely by fines and penalties paid by offenders and does not include any taxpayer dollars, has been capped by Congress. VOCA grants are key funding sources for programs that directly assist victims. Across the country, thousands of community programs rely on VOCA funding to serve more than 4 million victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other crimes. In the last year, the VOCA cap has been cut by $35 million; therefore, VOCA assistance grants are $107 million less than they were two years ago.

Indeed, more and more non-profits who focus on direct services are looking at creative ways of fundraising, such as online auctions, and individual donations to ensure that services can compete with the demand and need for them.

To learn more about how you can help A/PI survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence, check out www.dvrp.org or email info@dvrp.org

VA Mothers and Residents- Use Your Voice on December 11th!

We as community members only get so many opportunities to give our input to the legal and social actors that govern our society. So when those opportunities arise, we must use our voice!

Thursday, December 11^th, in Richmond, General Assembly Building, House Room C, 9:30am

Use your voice as incumbent judges are up for re-appointment in Virginia.

DVRP is concerned with this process as survivors of domestic/intimate partner violence who enter the legal system are often re-victimized during the court procedure. Many survivors are reluctant to even report abuse in their relationships because of legitimate fears that police authorities will not believe them, that they will be punished by their abusers if they report or that the court will side with their abuser and even take their children away. For more of what victims say, see the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

Veronique Wyvell, of The Network Against Family Abuse, adds her points to the above document that gives great insight and detail to some of the behavior of Virginia courts. I quote her email:

I am adding an eighth bullet point to this paper that lists seven. Missing from this sheet of facts is the fact that, in Virginia, children over five go to fathers more than they go to mothers when cases go to court (Source: Supreme Court of Virginia, 2001) and that abusive men are more likely–twice as likely some sources state–than good fathers to seek custody. They prevail 70% of the time (Source: American Judges Association, 1998). Missing is the fact that the “Gender Bias in the Courts of the Commonwealth” 2000 study both documents the manipulation of the courts by abusers, who so often suffer from Narcissistic Personality Disorder and even Sociopathy, and acknowledges that Virginia judges fail to properly address the manipulation of courts by abusers. Dr. Mo Hannah further reports that “once abusers gain custody, they often isolate and estrange the children” (Source: BMCC, 2007). But “[c]ontrary to stereotypes,” writes Joan Meier, “most divorcing mothers do not seek to deprive the children of their father” (Source: The Washington Post, 2008). “It is time courts faced the truth,” says Ms. Meier.

For more updates on the court status in Virginia and NAFA, see Veronique Wyvell’s blog.