Newsletter: July 2003: Sexual Violence is a Crisis, Too

The purpose of April’s Quarterly Leadership Meeting was to strategize about how to ensure that sexual violence issues receive consideration in difficult times of fiscal crisis. Programs exchanged ideas and successes with two guest speakers, both experts in media, communications and public policy change and both concerned with keeping sexual assault issues on the legislative agenda in New York.

Mindy Bockstein, crime victims advocate and Director of Policy for the New York State Attorney General helped us understand the steep competition we face when it comes to getting legislators’ attention and commitment, and how to make our issues heard. Starting with the basics, she instructed participants on the necessary preparations for successful legislative advocacy. Roberta Sklar, communications strategist and media specialist spoke on developing and implementing media strategies for public policy change, including what kind of stories to tell, and what kind of questions to expect from reporters. Both presenters were refreshing and exciting, and the information was particularly pertinent at a time when budget crunching is threatening to reduce support for service providers.

At our meeting this April, programs reported on their plans for Sexual Assault Awareness Month events. The SAAM Planning Committee talked about their work for citywide organizing, for this year and for 2004, and the Alliance reported back on preparations for the April 9th City Council forum, “NYC Decides to End Sexual Violence.” Quarterly Leadership Meetings are open to anyone who would like to attend. Contact the Alliance to learn more: 212.523.4344 or contact-us@nycagainstrape.org.

Kate Woodrow is the Outreach and Education Associate at The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. [more]

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