Newsletter: Fall 2004: Quarterly Meeting Review

At our most recent meeting on September 21 it was noted that the city's annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month march was cancelled. Organizers say this is due to inadequate support from corporate sponsors. The sexual assault and domestic violence communities must work in solidarity to ensure the ongoing existence of public events. This year, folks at our meeting plan to support smaller, local events to show their support this October. The Alliance will keep you informed of other opportunities for collaboration.

Representatives from the Kings County DA's Office shared information on their programs for victims with mental retardation and mental disabilities. Heidi Pascuiti discussed Project Shield's efforts to outreach to service providers, encouraging increased identification and reporting of sexual assault in this population, and the unique aspects of prosecuting these crimes. Jenna Levy told us about Barrier Free Living's non-residential domestic violence program for victims 16 and over with disabilities, which offers safety planning, crisis counseling, legal advocacy, and on-going counseling and case management. Contact Heidi at (718) 250-3609 for more information on either program.

Harriet Lessel described her experiences at a celebration of the Violence Against Women Act's 10 year anniversary in Washington, DC. The conference highlighted accomplishments in healthcare, criminal justice and rape crisis services and collaboration between these partners. Attendees also took the opportunity to look back on the past ten years and revisit the rape crisis movement's roots and goals. Concern was raised over reaching the vast majority of survivors who never access medical or legal services. A public health approach to sexual assault was useful for conceptualizing the effects of sexual abuse across the lifespan, and ways to involve communities in prevention and intervention.

At our meeting, we approached several related questions: who is at our table? Who is not represented? Where can intervention happen? What can new partnerships bring to the movement, and are we able to open our own agenda to varying priorities? We identified areas in which outreach is needed, including the HIV/AIDS, formerly incarcerated, domestic violence and mental health treatment and prevention organizations. We will continue to discuss new ways to prevent sexual assault and support survivors in future meetings. The next quarterly meeting December 14, 9am-12pm. Check your mail for location, to be announced soon.

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