Over the last 30 years, many laws have been implemented that improve victim safety and offender accountability. Yet, gaps remain that create barriers for victims of domestic violence to achieve safety, freedom, and justice.
Come to Albany to educate the legislature about ways to
CLOSE THE GAPS!
Economic Justice
- Stop housing discrimination against victims of domestic violence (A.8070 Titus).
- Protect the rights of victims to call for police and emergency assistance (A.9056 Lavine/S.6924 Robach).
- Promote and protect the economic viability of survivors through stronger employment protection (A.898 Weinstein/S.3385 Hassel-Thompson).
- Break down barriers that hinder women’s equality (A.8070 Titus).
- Curb the filing of abusive collection lawsuits, which have a particularly devastating impact on victims of domestic violence (A.9053 Weinstein).
Legal System Protections
- Promote justice for domestic violence survivor defendants by allowing for judicial discretion in sentencing defendants who were victims of domestic violence at the time of their crime (A.4314-B Aubry/S.3337-B Hassel-Thompson).
- Provide victims of domestic violence with civil recourse when law enforcement or municipalities fail to enforce orders of protection (A.899 Weinstein/S.6928 Golden).
- Improve the petition process for family court orders of protection (A.8070 Titus).
- Allow judges to consider public safety when making bail determinations (A.6799 Lentol/S.4483 Nozzolio).
- Emphasize the significance of orders of protection by requiring persons who violate orders of protection while on bail forfeit that bail (A.2510 Clark/S.4891 Robach).
The passage of these bills will CLOSE THE GAPS that create barriers for victims of domestic violence to achieve safety, freedom, and justice.
Logistical Details:
When: Tuesday, April 29, 2014
- 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Registration and networking (Please be sure to eat breakfast prior to your arrival as we are not allowed to have food and beverages in Hearing Room C.)
- 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Program – Speakers will include advocates, allies and legislators
- 11:30 AM – Program ends
- 11:45 AM – Legislative visits begin
Where: Hearing Room C, Legislative Office Building, 198 State Street, Albany, NY 12207
Who Should Attend: Staff and volunteers from organizations that provide services to or on behalf of those affected by intimate partner violence and their families as well as organizations, programs, or entities in New York who are concerned with domestic violence and intimate partner sexual violence. We encourage and support survivors, their families, and community members to attend.
Meet With Your Legislators: Attendees are responsible for scheduling meetings with their Assembly Members and Senators. We encourage you to schedule these appointments after 11:45 AM so you are able to attend the entire program. If you need guidance in scheduling these visits, please contact Elizabeth Bliss (518-482-5465, ebliss@nyscadv.org).
Prepare For Your Legislative Meetings: NYSCADV will host webinars that will describe the legislation to help you prepare for your legislative visits. If you are interested in participating in one of these webinars, please click on the "Register Here" link with the preferred date/time to proceed to the registration page.
- Monday, April 14: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM REGISTER HERE for 4/14/14 LAD Webinar
- Wednesday, April 16: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM REGISTER HERE for 4/16/14 LAD Webinar
- Tuesday, April 22: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM REGISTER HERE for 4/22/14 LAD Webinar
- Thursday, April 24: 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM REGISTER HERE for 4/24/14 LAD Webinar
Regional Representatives Take Note! We can coordinate with Regional Representatives from the NYSCADV board to schedule an LAD Prep webinar for NYSCADV Member Program regional meetings. Please contact Elizabeth Bliss to schedule (518-482-5465, ebliss@nyscadv.org).