Crime Victims with Disabilities Act
Posted on May 8, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News , News, Victim Services | Leave a Comment
Assemblywoman Lieber was interviewed by KCRA yesterday. She discussed the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act during the television segment. Click here to view the segment.
Background on the Crime Victims with Disabilities Act:
The Crime Victims with Disabilities Act attempts to create a comprehensive approach, upgrading law enforcement training, giving police and judges new tools to protect victims, assuring that relevant state agencies focus on the problem, and changing terminology to make it clear to all that the law protects all Californians with disabilities.
Read more
Group Discusses How to Reduce Sex Crimes by Safely Housing Sex Offenders Post-Release
Posted on May 6, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News | Leave a Comment
from the Council of State Governments
On April 21, the Council of State Governments Justice Center convened a meeting of state agency officials, victim advocates, prosecutors, and national experts to discuss a draft policy guide, which reviews strategies for increasing public safety by ensuring that sex offenders released from prisons and jails have a place to live.
Suzanne Brown-McBride, executive director of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault and a Justice Center board member, stressed at the meeting the importance of addressing the reality of sex offenders’ living arrangements in the states rather than focusing only on the locations from which they are excluded. Brown-McBride explained:
Lawmakers should be made aware that homelessness and transience among this population is on the rise.
Weekly News Update
Posted on May 5, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News | Leave a Comment
Week of April 28th
Legislation to Address Violence Against Women & Girls Worldwide Introduced in House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC - Violence prevention, women’s and human rights leaders today hailed the introduction late yesterday in the House of Representatives of groundbreaking legislation to address the global crisis of violence against women and girls. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA – HR 5927) is being sponsored in the House by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA). It would apply the force of U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid over five years toward preventing abuse and exploitation, which is estimated to affect one in three women worldwide.
Sexual harassment in fields dangerous for women
Working as a field laborer is tough. Often the weather conditions are adverse, and it is a seasonal job that requires great physical effort. In addition to that, if you are a woman, there are circumstances that can make that task a bit like a nightmare.
Men walk a mile in her shoes against rape
Posted on May 2, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News | Leave a Comment
The Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center, one of CALCASA’s member agencies had an excellent turnout for a fundraiser they hosted last week.
Over 100 men put on “high heels for a one-mile walk through San Luis Obispo to raise money and awareness about sexual crimes.”
Jennifer Adams, Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention Center, said:
“It is an opportunity for men to come out and show their support and to speak out against sexual violence.”
Click here to watch the television clip of the story.
CDCR Completes GPS Implementation for High Risk Sex Offenders on Parole
Posted on May 1, 2008
Filed Under News, Sex Offender Management | Leave a Comment
from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR)
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR), announced yesterday that they have “completed placing every High Risk Sex Offender parolee on GPS monitoring.”
Scott Kernan, Chief Deputy Secretary of Adult Operations for CDCR, said:
“This is a significant accomplishment and shows that we are on track in implementing the GPS requirements mandated by Jessica’s Law. Our parole agents are working aggressively to increase public safety, and this is a major step for us to monitor those sex offenders deemed high risk to re-offend.”
Passed by California voters in 2006, Proposition 83 - also known as Jessica’s Law - requires that every paroled sex offender be monitored by GPS. With limited amounts of GPS units, CDCR has prioritized the approximately 2,500 of its high-risk sex offender population on parole to be equipped with ankle monitors.
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Long Beach suspends sex offender residence ordinance
Posted on April 30, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News | Leave a Comment
Paul Eakins, with the Long Beach Press-Telegram, reported earlier this afternoon that Long Beach has “temporarily suspended enforcement of its new sex offender residency ordinance, according to attorneys representing about 25 sex offenders and property owners who had filed a claim opposing the ordinance.”
Fountain Valley defense attorney, Sarah Stockwell, was informed of the decision this morning by the City Attorney.
“Under the law, most residentially zoned areas in Long Beach are now off-limits to sex offenders, and the ordinance affects all sex offenders, giving it the retroactive status that Jessica’s Law doesn’t have.”
Click here to continue reading the article.
House Passes SAAM Resolution
Posted on April 30, 2008
Filed Under Leadership | Leave a Comment
Marking the final day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), the U.S. House of Representatives passed the House Concurrent Resolution 330, recognizing the importance of SAAM.
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (WI) the lead Democratic co-sponsor introduced the resolution and talked about the need to support victims by providing adequate services.
The resolution’s co-sponsor, Rep. Ted Poe (TX) spoke in support of the resolution and highlighted the rights, concerns and needs of sexual assault victims. He spoke passionately about the need to be vigilant about victim’s rights.
In addition, Rep. Ric Keller (R-FL) spoke in support of the resolution. He too cited staggering statistics in his remarks and also mentioned the importance of reauthorizing the Debbie Smith Act.
Like their counterparts in California, these legislators are taking the opportunity of SAAM to show just how vital sexual assault victim services are in every community in the nation.
Day of Silence
Posted on April 29, 2008
Filed Under Leadership, News | Leave a Comment
Last week on Denim Day, more than 900 students at The School of Social Justice, Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (MCLC) participated in the Day of Silence.
The event included a public commendation that was extended to students, faculty and organizational leaders. The commendation recognized not only the “school’s efforts around the national Day of Silence, but their year-round commitment to the protection of all LGBTQ students and families.”
Filmmakers of the new major motion picture, TRU LOVED, were at the event along with “Grey’s Anatomy” star T.R. Knight.
CALCASA has worked with the TRU LOVED filmmakers and support the work they are doing.
Click here to continue reading.
Weekly News Update
Posted on April 28, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Policy News , Funding | Leave a Comment
Week of April 21th
CALCASA Visits Federal Legislators to Advocate for Sexual Assault Victim Service Funding
Last week, CALCASA and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) visited federal legislators to advocate for sexual assault victim service funding. There are two key federal funding streams that sexual assault crisis programs in California depend upon for services: Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) and Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) funds - both of which are facing reductions this year.
Click here to continue reading.
California Leaders Join Advocates to Sign the Pledge to End Sexual Violence
Legislators, elected policy makers, state agencies and associations from across the state joined sexual assault advocates in recognizing Denim Day California last week, an event in which participants wear denim to “break the dress code and speak out against sexual violence.”
Read more
TODAY IS THE LAST DAY! ACT NOW–NAESV’s E-Lobby Week
Posted on April 25, 2008
Filed Under CALCASA Activties, CALCASA Policy News , Funding, Leadership, News, Take Action!, Uncategorized, Victim Services | 1 Comment
NAESV’s E-Lobby Week has arrived!
Over 325 letters have already been sent to Congresspeople from across the country. This is your last chance to join advocates Nationally and have your voice heard in Washington, DC!
The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV) E-Lobby Week is going on now (4/21/08 - 4/25/08). April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the NAESV E-Lobby week is a chance to spread the word all the way to Congress. To participate, there are two components:
1. Be virtually present in Washington, DC:
With a click of a button, participants will send a letter to their Members of Congress explaining how important funding for sexual assault services is in your state. After signup, this step takes as little as 45 seconds from start to finish!
2. District Visits:
It is what you do at home in your Congressional district that really brings this virtual lobby week together. Making a visit to your Member of Congress’ district office is an important means of getting your voice heard and in building relationships with staff.
How to participate:
Click here to register. Once you’ve registered, you will be “carried” through the process electronically during the E-Lobby Week.
Click here to log in and send your message:
