Crimes Against Women & DA Race Sep. 3

Crimes Against Women & the Race for Manhattan DA

September 3rd, 6:30-8:30 PM

Location: Jacob Burns Moot Court Room 55 Fifth Avenue at 12th Street, NYC. Subway: L,N,Q,R,W,4,5,6,F,L,V to 14th St.

NOW-NYC and a coalition of women's advocates host a forum to find out how each candidate plans to ensure justice for NYC women and girls.

The DA sets the agenda for how crimes against women are addressed and how women survivors of crime are treated. Sexual assault, human trafficking, and domestic violence affect thousands of women in our city. How will the next DA make NYC a safer place for women and girls and ensure crimes against women are a top priority?

Join candidates Cyrus Vance, Leslie Crocker Snyder, and Richard Aborn to get the answers.

Download flyer

Co-sponsored by

Downstate Coalition for Crime Victims

New York City League of Women Voters,

Center for the Women of New York,

New York State Anti-Trafficking Coalition,

and NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault.

Co-hosted by Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law

Please RSVP Today! Suggested donation $15

Reserve online (via $15 donation) OR to RSVP w/o donation Call 212.627.9895 E-mail contact@nownyc.org

NOW-NYC New Member Special: Get a $30 membership today and that counts as your donation for DA Forum and other events for the entire year! ($15 off regular membership)

Action Alert: Help Save Crime Victims Fund

One of the most important things you can do to help victims of crime.

contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative and ask them to support "The Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act of 2009."

On Thursday, July 30, 2009, Representatives Ted Poe (R-TX) and Jim Costa (D-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Crime Victim Rights Caucus, introduced H.R. 3402, "The Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act of 2009." This is a companion to S. 1340, introduced in June by Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) which would ensure a continued and substantial increase the the amount of Crime Victims Fund to be made available to support critical crime victim services. '

The Crime Victims Fund Preservation Act would establish a minimum VOCA cap through 2014 and still leave a substantial balance in the Fund to ensure ongoing stable services. Both bills specify the minimum amount of the Crime Victims Fund to be allocated in FY 2010 at $705 million and then increases the cap by 23 percent for each of the next four years. By FY 2014, the VOCA cap would be $1.6 billion, an amount that is essential to help meet victims' needs.

Please visit the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators for a fact sheet and complete information about the Act, and then please

contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative to encourage their support for this critical bill.

And please cut and paste this request and send it to your colleagues, families and friends -- Congress needs to know how important this bill is to provide continued, stable funding for our important work!

Posted by,
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
NOW-NYS Young Feminist Task Force Chair
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Call Atty General RE: Federal Marshal protection for Dr. Carhart 202-353-1555

From RH Reality Check

Dr. Carhart, Under Threat from "Domestic Terrorist Network," Abandoned by Federal Marshals
By Jodi Jacobson, RH Reality Check

August 8, 2009 - 6:15pm

Despite mounting threats to the clinic--and potentially to the life--of Nebraska Dr. Leroy Carhart, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has removed the federal marshals earlier charged with protecting him.

Action Alert: Call Atty General RE: Federal Marshal protection for Dr. Carhart 202-353-1555

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Click to Empower Domestic Violence Survivors

Financial Independence for Survivors

Domestic violence impacts the lives of women and their families. The Allstate Foundation supports survivors through resources targeted to build financial independence and educates the public on how hard it is for people to leave an abusive relationship without economic resources.

The Original 1-800-Charity Cars
provides free vehicles and vehicle support services to domestic violence survivors all across America. Reliable transportation empowers victims to leave their abusers and is a major factor in the success or failure of survivors transitioning to self-sufficiency.

Family Justice Centers
The Alliance supports agencies and communities around the country that provide all the services which victims of domestic violence need, under one roof. The Alliance’s partners serve survivors of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse, and sexual assault – helping them to break the cycle of violence and abuse by having all their services in one place. Victims can come to one place to see a counselor, talk to a detective, meet with a prosecutor, talk with a chaplain, consult with a doctor or nurse, obtain job training, or get help for their children. If we receive the most clicks, we are going to use the money for an Emergency Economic Assistance Fund for domestic violence victims receiving services in Family Justice Centers across the country.

Safe Horizon
Safe Horizon touches the lives of over 350,000 victims of violence and moves them from crisis to confidence. As the largest provider of domestic violence programs in the country, Safe Horizon helps hundreds of thousands of domestic violence survivors each year by providing them with 24-hour crisis hotlines, safe shelter, clothing, food, transportation, mental health counseling, guidance through the court system, security through changing door locks, counseling on financial literacy, and resume building. Safe Horizon also trains thousands of executives across the country about how to protect their employees from the impact of domestic violence in the workplace with its SafeWork initiative.

YWCA
YWCA is the largest provider of comprehensive services to victims of domestic violence and their children nationwide, including education and prevention programs, counseling services, emergency shelters, transitional housing, court accompaniment and child care for victims, as well as court-ordered anger management classes for offenders. YWCAs also offer economic empowerment programs for women, from financial literacy seminars to job training and GED classes. YWCA was the first women’s organization founded in the United States, now celebrating 150 years of service on behalf of women and girls.

The “ClickToEmpower Campaign” encourages visitors to support their favorite charity by voting daily for one of the following organizations which have partnered with The Allstate Foundation on domestic violence issues: YWCA USA, Safe Horizon, Family Justice Center Alliance and Charity Cars. The organization with the most votes by the end of the campaign will receive a $100,000 grant awarded by The Allstate Foundation.

* Charity Cars
* Family Justice Centers
* Safe Horizon
* YWCA

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Action Alert: Pass Child Victims Act of NY - Urge NYS Legislature and Governor Paterson

Reminder from NOW New York State and NYS Assemblywoman Markey

Urge the New York State Legislature to pass and Governor Paterson to pass
Child Victims Act of New York (A2596/S2568)

Take Action

A special request has come to us from Assemblywoman Markey. In her letter, she states,
"It is important that legislators throughout the state be aware that New Yorkers want to see this bill become law in 2009. When they hear from thousands of New Yorkers who are members, supporters, friends and colleagues of organizations like yours, they will understand that it is essential that the child Victims' Act become law in 2009. Thank you for your help in making this happen." Sincerely, Margaret Markey Member of NY Assembly

The Child Victims Act (Assembly Bill A02596, Senate Bill Number A2568) is designed to right the years of injustice which have been suffered in silence by victims of child sexual abuse. The Act extends the civil statute of limitations (SOL) by effectively delaying the time at which it begins to run until the age of twenty-three. This effectively extends the SOL until the victim is twenty-eight in civil cases.

One in four women are reported to have been abused as children.

More importantly, the Act creates a window much like the California window in 2003 that will open 60 days after the Act becomes law and remains open for one year. This will allow those who were shut out of the courts by the woefully short SOL to seek the justice that has been denied.

The Child Victims Act has been introduced and succeeded in the New York State Assembly three times (in 2006, 2007, and 2008 sessions). Yet, its companion bill in the Senate has not been allowed to reach the floor for a full vote! Please contact your representative, both Assemblyperson and Senator, to encourage them to place the protection of the interests of the children and the victims first.

At the same time, you can choose 5 local media outlets to send this lettter.

Posted by:
Jerin Alam
National NOW Young Feminist Task Force
National Organization for Women (NOW)

Shortsighted NYS Dems Give Power & Money Back to Indicted Senator in Backroom Deal

Press Release: Shortsighted Democrats Give Power & Money Back to Indicted Senator in Backroom Deal Press Release Contact: Marcia Pappas, President 518-452-3944 National Organization for Women-NYS Denounces Shortsighted Democrats Dems Give Power & Money Back to Indicted Senator in Backroom Deal ALBANY, NY (07/15/2009) This week, National Organization for Women-NYS learned that Senator Monserrate (the alleged abuser who was indicted for injuring his girlfriend to the tune of twenty facial stitches) was returned to his seat, and rather lucrative stipend, as NYS Chair of the Consumer Protection Committee. Of this reinstatement NOW-NYS President Marcia Pappas remarked: "Given the fact that Monserrate was indicted for such a heinous crime, one would think the Democratic leadership in NY would be wise enough to withhold such a decision, at least until Monserrate's court appearance is completed." Pappas said this move was suspicious, especially since Monseratte recently sided with Republicans and his long-time friend Senator Espada to tip the Senate scales to a Republican majority. Pappas continued: "Now suddenly Monserrate is holding hands and singing Kumbaya with the Democrats again. Could it be that the Democrats, in exchange for Monserrate's loyalty, promised the biggest carrot of all; his job and money?" All appearances would indicate that this back-room deal was negotiated on the backs of NY women. Women are angry and several from the NYS Legislature called the NOW office to say they are working in a mine field and that their work environment has become increasingly hostile. Pappas concluded: "The NYS Democratic leadership, in its infinite but short-sighted wisdom, has not only slapped the face of every woman in NY and in the NYS Legislature, but they have basically said 'Your safety does not matter.' I wonder how those same women will feel come Election Day?" -end- Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)

GOOD NEWS: NY Governor Signs Legislation Protecting Domestic Violence Victims

Assemblywoman Paulin and Senator Johnson Usher in Legislation that will Protect Victims of Domestic Violence. Governor Signs Legislation Into Law. Thank Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Craig Johnson for Protecting the Rights of Domestic Violence Victims The National Organization for Women-New York State thanks NYS Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and Senator Craig Johnson for their leadership in passing crucial legislation for victims of domestic violence. Legislation A.755-A/S.958-B has passed both the NYS Assembly and NYS Senate. The Governor has signed it into law. This law prohibits an employer or licensing agency, because of the actual or perceived status of an individual as a victim of domestic violence or stalking, to refuse to hire or employ or to bar or to discharge from employment an individual or to discriminate against such individual in compensation or in terms, conditions or privileges of employment CONTACT INFORMATON: Assembywoman Paulin's office: Email: http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?ad=088&sh=contact District Office: P: 914-723-1115 Albany Office: P:518-455-5585 Senator Johnson's office: Email http://www.nysenate.gov/senator/craig-m-johnson/contact District Office: P: (516) 746-5923. Albany Office: P: (518) 455-2622 Posted by: Jerin Alam National NOW Young Feminist Task Force National Organization for Women (NOW)