Newsletter: October 2003: Quarterly Leadership Meeting Review

The June 2003 Alliance Quarterly Meeting was packed with information for the attendees. It began with Alliance Executive Director Harriet Lessel announcing new legislation had been passed by the state legislature in an effort that cleaned up outstanding issues in the Sexual Assault Reform Act of 2000 before the legislature adjourned for the summer. It was great news for advocates: a provision was included that ensures that rape victims will not be responsible for payment for treatment, and language of the penal code will be updated to replace archaic phrases such as “deviate sexual intercourse” and “sodomy.” A separate bill was passed requiring all hospitals to provide emergency contraception on site for rape victims.

It wasn’t all good news for the city’s rape crisis programs, who are seeing the effect of another crisis – New York’s budget. Recognizing the limited availability of city and state funds for rape crisis services, a commitment was made by all to work together to advocate for increased rape crisis service funding, this year and in the future.

The Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) committee announced that they have met to set goals for next April. Among the goals: increase public participation in SAAM activities and work with the City Council for recognition and support of the cause.

Karyn Hadfield, Research Coordinator for the Alliance, gave a short presentation on data collection. She provided valuable information on collecting and sorting data to meet specific organizations needs and addressed a number of questions from program staff about the challenges they face in collecting data, and some ways to better use data to advocate for their programs.

Finally, guest speakers Christa Stewart and Nadra Qadeer of Safe Horizon’s Anti-Trafficking Program gave a moving presentation on the trafficking epidemic in and around New York City. Safe Horizon continues to take steps to combat this troubling problem, and encourages everyone to increase our individual and collective awareness. A fact sheet on trafficking was distributed at the meeting, and can be downloaded on the Alliance’s website. For more information and to learn about networking and other opportunities, the Anti-Trafficking Program can be reached at (212) 577-3891.

(Read other articles in this series.)

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