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Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

February marks the second annual Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Teen Dating Violence received national attention during the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act in 2005.  The goal of this month is to shine a light on abuse in teen relationships and focus our energy towards prevention efforts.

 

Two years ago 19-year-old Siobhan Russell was found brutally stabbed to death by her 17-year-old boyfriend in Oak Hill, Virginia. In 2010, Siobhan’s abuser was arrested and sentenced to 40 years in prison. After living through this horrific event, Siobhan’s mother was determined to do all that she could to prevent other acts of abuse and violence. She now runs an organization to raise awareness about teen dating violence, where she speaks to communities about the warning signs of dating violence. She is an example for us all.

February is National Teen Dating Violence Prevention and Awareness Month and it is critical that we take this time to remember that domestic violence is not just a problem for adults. One in three adolescents in the US will be a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse from a dating partner. Nearly 80% of girls who have been physically abused in their intimate relationships continue to date their abuser. And two-thirds of teens who are in an abusive relationship never tell anyone about the abuse. It’s time to shine a light on this issue.

Recognizing abuse in a relationship can be difficult, especially for teens. There are many types of abuse that young people may believe are normal in a relationship. Even though teen relationships may be different from adult relationships, teens can experience the same types of abuse. Teens also face unique obstacles if they decide to get help. They may not have money, transportation or a safe place to go. They may also concerns about confidentiality with many adults obligated to make reports to police, parents and/or child protective services.

But, teens have a right to safe and healthy relationships. Your community, should take the lead in raising awareness and preventing teen dating violence. There are many ways that you can take part:

  • Encourage legislators to introduce laws that require teen dating violence education in the classroom. Teens spend the majority of their time in school or at school-related activities and without laws in place to protect them, domestic and sexual violence among teens will continue to cause upheaval at home and at school. Encourage school leaders to step up if legislators will not and offer to pay the often small fees (less than $100) for effective dating violence prevention curricula.
  • Know the laws in your state. Unfortunately, Virginia rates F on the national dating violence grade, [available online at http://www.breakthecycle.org/content/teen-dating-violence-state-law-report-cards%5D

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  •  Take the time to educate yourself and others about teen dating violence. The following websites offer information about teen dating violence and what you can do to help:

Like Siobhan’s mother, you can make a difference.

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Lobby Day for Sexual and Domestic Violence Victims

Today is lobby day for our industry.  I’m heading down to the General Assembly to advocate.  I like doing  this every year.  The energy of everyone running around, trying to get appointments in, trying to meet people, trying to educate legislators and their staff on our issues.  This year it’s:

Protect funding for sexual and domestic violence services from further cuts.  In the past year, Virginia cut funding for sexual violence services by 5%, domestic violence services by 8%, and homlessness intervention services by 8%.  We need to protect and preserve these critical services.

2. Support: HB 2422 & SB 1364 – Expand access to Protective Orders for victims of dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  Address and name dating violence in the Code of Virginia and allow equal access to court-ordered protection for all victims of certain defined acts of violence and threatening behaviors, to prevent further acts of violence, trespass, or contact.

3.  Support: HB 1757 & SB 1199 – Extend the Address Confidentiality Program within the Office of the Attorney General to make it statewide.

4.  Oppose HB 1420, HB 1421, HB 1430, HB 1934 & HB 2332 – Oppose legislation that threatens acces to safety for any victim of sexual and domestic violence.  Oppose these house bills and preserve access to services for ALL victims of sexual and domestic violence in Virgnia, regardless of their immigration status.

Victims of sexual and domestic violence and their children must be able to access safety, including law enforcement, the courts and protections available through the Violence Against Women Act, without regard to their immigration status.

Support: HB 1476 & SB 1145 – extend limitations period for actions for sexual abuse committed during teh infancy or incapacity of the abused person from two years to 8 years from the time of removal from infancy or incapacity or from the time the cause of action otherwise occurs.

Support HB 1893 – Abduction; provides that any person who, without legal justification or excuse, recruits, entices, solicits, seizes, takes, transport, detains a child under 16 years of age, for the purpose of concubinage or prostitution, is guilty of a Class 2 felony, and that the person who assists or aids in such activity or threatens to do so is guilty of a Class 5 felony, and that the abduction of any person 16 years of age or older for the person of concubinage or prostitution is punishable as a Class 4 felony.  The bill also provides that any person who causes another person to engage in forces labor or services in violation of abduction laws is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Support HB 1898 – Commercial Sex Acts with Minors; expands teh definition of abduction to include commercial sexual activity involving minors and for purposes of sexual activity with a minor to also include pornography and sexual performances.

Support HB 2440 – Provides for an affirmative defense to the crime of prostitution when the person arrested or charged was induced to engage in prostitution through the use of force, intimidation, or deception by another.  The bill also provides for the expungement of a prostitution charge when the person was induced to engage in prostitution through the use of force, intimidation, or deception by another.

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Stalking Assistance Programs in Virginia: The Haven

The Haven
This Virginian 24-hour shelter details Virginia stalking legislation and the emergency options available to a victim.  Their phone number is 1-800-22-HAVEN.

The Haven Shelter & Services, Inc. is committed to preventing and eliminating all types of domestic violence and sexual assault within our service area, which includes Westmoreland, Richmond, Essex, Lancaster and Northumberland Counties. The primary focus of The Haven’s mission is to provide advocacy and shelter for identified victims of partner abuse and sexual assault as well as to provide support services to victims and their families. To greater further its mission, The Haven seeks to enhance public awareness of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through community outreach and education.

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Stalking is a Crime in Virginia

Stalking is a crime.

In Virginia, stalking is defined as repeated conduct which places a person, or his or her family, in reasonable fear of death, sexual assault, or bodily injury.

The stalking law went into effect on July 1, 1992.

In 1998, the penalties associated with convictions were increased. A first conviction carries a penalty of not more than one year in jail and a $2,500 fine (Class 1 misdemeanor).  The penalty for a third or subsequent conviction within five years is not more than five years in prisonand a $2,500 fine (Class 6 felony).

Stalking is a unique crime, because stalkers are obsessed with controlling their victims’ actions and feelings. Stalkers will frequently threaten and harass, and in many instances will actually physically injure their victims. Stalking is a crime that can be committed against anyone, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.

Facts:

• 1.4 million people are stalked annually.

• Only one half of stalking cases are reported to authorities, and 25% receive a restraining order.•

1 in 20 women will be stalked in their lifetimes.

• 79% of women know their stalkers; 50% were in anintimate relationship with their stalker; 80% of theserelationships were abusive.

*Statistics supplied by the National Institute of Justice

CODE OF VIRGINIA18.2 – 60.3

STALKING PENALTY

A. Any person who on more than one occasion engages in conduct directed at another person with the intent to place, or with the knowledge that the conduct places, that other person in reasonable fear of death, criminal sexual assault, or bodily injury to that other person or to that other person’s family or household member shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. A third or subsequent conviction occurring within five years of a conviction for an offense under this section or for a similar offense under the law of any otherjurisdiction shall be a Class 6 felony.

C. A person may be convicted under this section irrespective of the jurisdiction or jurisdictions within the Commonwealth wherein the conduct described in subsection A occurred, if the person engaged in that conduct on at least one occasion in the jurisdiction where the person is tried. Evidence of any such conduct which occurred outside the Commonwealth may be admissible, if relevant, in any prosecution under thissection provided that the prosecution is based upon conduct occurring within the Commonwealth.

The Code of Virginia also provides that:

•Upon conviction for stalking, the court must issue an order prohibiting contact between the defendant and the victim or the victim’s family or household member. (18.2-60.3D)

• The Department of Corrections, sheriff or regional jail director must notify, prior to release of an inmate, any victim of the offense who, in writing, requests notice,or any person designated in writing by the victim, provided the inmate was sentenced to a term of incarceration of at least forty-eight hours. The responsibleagency above must also give notice, if an inmate escapes. (18.2-60.3E)

• Persons subject to protective orders may not purchase or transport any firearms. (18.2-308.1:4)

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Virginia’s 2011 Legislative Action Day

Wednesday, January 26, 2011 – is Legislative Action Day.  Join the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance as they promote important legislative items during the General Assembly session.  

Please join with the Action Alliance and your local rape crisis and domestic violence centers to contact your local legislators about the issues below: 

1. Protect funding for sexual and domestic violence services from further cuts.  In the past year, Virginia cut funding for sexual violence services by 5%, domestic violence services by 8%, and homlessness intervention services by 8%.  We need to protect and preserve these critical services.

2. Expand access to Protective Orders for victims of dating violence, stalking, and sexual assault.  Address and name dating violence in the Code of Virginia and allow equal access to court-ordered protection for all victims of certain defined acts of violence and threatening behaviors, to prevent further acts of violence, trespass, or contact. 

3.  Extend the Address Confidentiality Program within the Office of the Attorney General to make it statewide.

4.  Preserve access to services for ALL victims of sexual and domestic violence in Virgnia, regardless of their immirgration status.  Victims of sexual and domestic violence and their children must be able to access safety, including law enforcement, the courts and protections availalbe through the Violence Against Women Act, without regard to their immigration status. 

If you have any questions, please contact Kristine Hall at khall@vsdvalliance.org  or Gena Boyle at gboyle@vsdvalliance.org  or call 804-377-0335.

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Ways to Support Domestic Violence Awareness #26 Red Flag Campaign

collaborate or volunteer with your local university to put on a Red Flag Campaign – a campus focused campaign implemented in Virginia by the Action Alliance to highlight safety in interpersonal relationships.

October 27-29 – Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault is collaborating with Student Anti-Violence Educators and Rappahannock Council on Domestic Violence on The Red Flag Campaign to be held at the University of Mary Washington.

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Ways to Support DV Awareness #23 – Attend Henrico county Resource event

Plan a resource event for Allied Professionals and Community Members

October 23 Resource Event for Allied Professionals and Community Members Sponsored by The Henrico Police Division of Police and Safe Harbor. 9am-12pm Henrico Training Center, 7701 E. Parham Road, Richmond.

The Henrico Police Division of Police and Safe Harbor are partnering to host a resource fair for all agencies, organizations, and individuals who interact with survivors of intimate partner violence and/or their children. Each participant will have an opportunity to share throughout the course of the morning about the resources that they provide to survivors and/or their children. For more information contact Stacie Vecchietti at 804-249-9470 x15.

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