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Anti-Violence Advocate – Give your time and join a caucus

Are you interested in working to end sexual and domestic violence?  If you are not interested in joining the board of a local agency, committee work is just as needed and a very creative way be involved.  The Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance has many task forces, caucuses and committees to join for your particular interest related to anti-violence work, many that meet around the state to make it easier for people all over Virginia to get involved.   Below is a list hosted by the Action Alliance with contact information.  Give us a call and join us to help end violence in our communities.


Task Forces, Caucuses & Committee Meetings

Child Advocacy Task Force-next meeting 3/11/2011 Charlottesville

For more information contact: Arlene Vassell-Richards avassell-richards@vsdvalliance.org

Wild Women of Wisdom Task Force-

For more information contact: Walker Thornton walkerthornton@comcast.net

South West Task Force

For more information contact: Rose Leone rleone@vsdvalliance.org

Northern Virginia Task Force-next meeting 3/15/2011 Alexandria

For more information contact: Kathleen Kelmelis kathleen.kelmelis@fairfaxcounty.gov

Women of Color Caucus

For more information contact: Cathy Coleman or Tishaun Harris-Ugworji cmaxfield@vsdvalliance.org tishaun.harrisugworji@dss.virginia.gov

Queer Caucus-next meeting 5/19/2011 at the membership meeting location TBD

For more information contact:  Rachel Smith avp.rsmith@gmail.com

Survivor Caucus For more information contact: Barbara Shine

survivorcaucus@gmail.com www.freewebs.com/survivorcaucus

Training Institute Committee

For more information contact Quillan Drew qdrew@vsdvalliance.org

Principles and Process Committee-next meeting 5/26/2011 Richmond 12pm

For more information contact: Jeanine Beiber jbeiber@vsdvalliance.org

Leadership Development Committee-

For more information contact: Jeanine Beiber jbeiber@vsdvalliance.org

Public Policy Committee

For more information contact: Kristine Hall  khall@vsdvalliance.org Gena Boyle gboyle@vsdvalliance.org

Accreditation Committee

For more information contact: Linda Winston lwinston@vsdvalliance.org Darlene Ward dward@alliance.org

Coalition Development Committee

For more information contact Megan Wood mwood@vsdvalliance.org

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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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Help for Rape Victims in Cartagena, Columbia

Here in my travels, I’m stopping in Cartagena, Columbia.  I can only find information for rape victims on the Embassy website for American’s traveling (which is better than some embassy websites)  It’s wonderful that they put information on how to preserve evidence.

Here is info taken from the Bogota. Columbia Embassy website.

Special Information for Cases of Sexual Assault and Rape:

Physical evidence is very important in sexual assault cases, and can deteriorate as time passes.  As such, victims should not change clothes, avoid bathing if possible, and have a physical exam at the first opportunity.  You should take these steps even if you are unsure about whether to report the crime to police.  If you decide to pursue a prosecution at a later time, these steps preserve evidence that will assist the prosecutor.  A consular officer or after-hours duty officer from the U.S. Embassy may be able to accompany victims of sexual assault for the medical exam. You should get medical attention to determine if you have been injured in any way and to discuss treatment and prevention options for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  The U.S. Embassy can provide you with a list of local doctors.

In Colombia the legal definition of rape and sexual assault does not vary from region to region.  Rape and sexual assault are characterized as acts performed with the use of force, weapons and/or intimidation by the assailant.  It is often committed in isolated places, or when the assailants take advantage of the absence of surveillance and security measures. This may be a premeditated crime or crime of opportunity.  In many cases the assailant remains unknown. The law provides for sentences ranging from eight to 15 years of imprisonment for violent sexual assault.  For acts of spousal sexual violence, the law mandates sentences of six months to two years and denies probation or bail to offenders who disobey restraining orders.

Instituto de Medicina Legal y Ciencias Forenses (Forensic Institute)
Calle 7 A No. 12-61
Bogotá, Colombia
Tel. 4069977 – 4069944

Authorizes and performs forensic sexual assault exam in all cases of rape and sexual assault. The exam involves collection of blood samples, semen, or other substances, as well as a psychological and sociological evaluation. The victim may bring a family member or a witness to the exam, and a minor may be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  There is no fee for the exam, because it is required as a part of legal process.  If the victim refuses to take the exam, it may make a difference during the trial, as there will be no physical evidence for the legal process to consider. However, the medical exam is not necessary to file the charges. The victim can report the case to a Family Commissioner, Police or Unidad de Reacción Inmediata.  Afterwards, the case is forwarded to Unidad Especializada en Delitos Contra La Libertad Sexual y la Dignidad Humana. The victim is interviewed by Colombian judicial officials, a psychologist and an investigator. The laws within the Colombian Criminal Code protect the identity of a victim of sexual assault, and the media must comply with the law.

The rape crisis hotlines: (operators speak Spanish only)

Instituto Colombiano de Bienstar Familiar (ICBF) – 018000918080 – 24 hours
ICBF provides psycho-social, medical, and legal support to victims of sexual violence.

Centro de Atención Integral a Victimas de Delitos Sexuales
Diagonal 34 No. 5-18, Tel. 2880557, 2324011

Special Information for Cases of Domestic Violence:

Domestic violence is a crime under the Colombian Penal Code. The National Constitution sets the guidelines for implementing prevention, solution and punishment of violence within the family. Domestic violence, including spousal abuse, remains a serious problem in Colombia.  Judicial authorities may remove an abuser from the household and require counseling.  Prison time is possible if the abuser causes grave harm or the abuse is recurrent; however, provisions for fines are generally not applied.  The law stipulates that the government must provide victims of domestic violence with immediate protection from physical or psychological abuse.  The ICBF provides safe houses and counseling for victims, but its services are dwarfed by the magnitude of the problem.  In addition to fulfilling traditional family counseling functions, the ICBF family ombudsmen handle domestic violence cases.  The Human Rights Ombudsman’s Office conducts regional training workshops to promote the application of domestic violence statutes. If you need immediate assistance finding a place to stay the Embassy can also provide the names of hotels or a temporary shelter.

How can the victims obtain a restraining order?
Under Colombian law, every person, who is a victim of physical or psychological abuse, insult, offence or any other form of aggression within his/her family, can ask the family commissioner, the Civil Municipality or PROMISCUO Judge, for an immediate protective measure that helps to put an end to the violence or prevent its reoccurrence.  The request for a protective measure can be made personally by the victim, any other person that acts on his/her behalf, or by the family commissioner when the victim cannot do it, in writing or verbally .

The request for protection measures has to state the following clearly:

a) Name of requester and identity card number, if possible
b) Name of the victim
c) Name of the perpetrator and his/her address
d) Report of the facts
e) Request for necessary evidence

A commissary or judge upon receiving the petition will issue a restraining order within four hours.

“ASEDIO”- harassment or stalking in Colombia has a political connotation.  It is not considered to be a violent crime.

Point of contact to report domestic violence:

Local Police Stations

Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar 018000918080, 24 hours a day

The criminal report can be filed

  • at any URI
  • the Prosecutor’s Office
  • SAU or police officer and at the CAVIF located on Cra 13 # 18-38 First Floor in Bogota.

123 (equivalent of U.S. 911) in cases of security, fire, rescue, disasters, car accidents, public services emergencies (i.e. gas leaks, short circuits, etc), health emergencies, family violence

 

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Highlighting Anti-Violence Agencies in Virginia: YWCA in Richmond, VA

ywca of richmond

Services for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Richmond, VA are available through the YWCA of Richmond.  The YWCA has been serving and supporting women for over 100 years, since 1887. 

They provide services for victims of domestic violence – primary services are crisis intervention, education, advocacy, case management, safety planning, and counseling.  These services are offered to every client–both in residential (safehouse) and community programs.

They provide services for victims of sexual violence – free comprehensive crisis services for victims of sexual assault (over 12 years of age) and their families. The YWCA Sexual Violence Program is the only certified sexual violence program serving the Greater Richmond area.  These services include:  (a) individual and group counseling, (b) access to a 24-hour hotline, (c) 24-hour hospital accompaniment, (d) court accompaniment, (e) emergency shelter, if needed, and (f) referrals to other services, as needed.

The YWCA also has a Child Development Center – The YWCA Child Development Center’s purpose is to provide an environment that encourages social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth and development of the child as a whole.

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Highlighting Sister Anti-Violence Agencies: Project Hope at Quin Rivers

Website Facebook Page
Company Overview:
Project Hope’s goal is to provide a safe and supportive environment for adult and child victims to establish a violence-free life; hold perpetrators accountable for their violence; and create community norms that do not tolerate violence.
Mission:
Working to eliminate domestic and sexual violence in our homes and communities.
Products:
PROJECT HOPE of Quin Rivers Inc. offers the following services to child and adult victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

-INDIVIDUAL & GROUP SUPPORT COUNSELING for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence

-CRISIS INTERVENTION (safety planning, assistance with emergency food, clothing, and shelter)

-COURT and HOSPITAL ADVOCACY for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence

-ACCOMPANIMENT to court, hospital, magistrate’s office and/or sheriff’s office for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence

-SAFETY ENHANCEMENT (free alarms systems for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence with active protective orders; emergency 911 cell phones)

-REFERRALS to various community resources (housing, social -services, medical/mental health, legal)

-PUBLIC EDUCATION on the dynamics of domestic and sexual violence for community groups, organizations, and agencies

-TEEN DATING AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PREVENTION PROGRAM provides education and prevention activities to raise awareness for teens about domestic violence, sexual assault, and sexual harassment through classroom and youth groups

-POWER PALS SUMMER DAY CAMP offers skill-building activities for children between the ages of 6 and 12 who have witnessed or been direct victims of domestic and/or sexual violence

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Ways to Support DV Advocacy #31 – write an Op-Ed for your paper

Write a letter to your local paper’s Op-Ed section on your views about domestic violence and what you would like your community to do.

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Ways to Support DV Awareness #29 – YWCA’s Remember My Name Memorial

Host a “Remember My Name Memorial” to commemorate the lives of individuals who have died from domestic violence.

October 29th The YWCA of Richmond is hosting the 14th annual Remember My Name Memorial to commemorate the lives of individuals in our community who have died from domestic violence. The memorial will be held on October 29th at 7 pm at the Monument Heights Baptist Church. This nondenominational service commemorates those in the Greater Richmond and surrounding areas who have lost their lives due to domestic violence. During the ceremony, families, friends and community leaders will have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the victims or give testimonies about how domestic violence has affected their lives. This event is free and open to the public.

For information about submitting a name to the memorial or general information about Remember My Name, please contact Lauren Rosati at 804-643-6761 ext. 116 or lrosati@ywcarichmond.org.

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Ways to Support Domestic Violence Awareness #27

Host a movie showing of a film that centers on interpersonal violence.  Include a panel discussion following the event.

October 27 – Rappahannock Council Against Sexual Assault, in collaboration with the University of Mary Washington and Student Anti-Violence Educators (SAVE) is hosting a movie showing of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at the Dodd Auditorium.  6pm  Following the movie showing a discussion group will be led by Dr. Zukor, Chris Kilmartin, and Carol Olson

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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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