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Newsletter: Spring 2005: Quarterly MeetingBirth Doulas NetworkWhen sexual assault survivors give birth, they may suffer retraumatization. At the quarterly meeting, Sarah Maimon, a registered nurse in obstetrical care, birth doula, and founder of the Birth Doulas Network, discussed her efforts to organize volunteer doula services for these survivors. A doula’s sole responsibility is emotional care for the birthing woman. She meets with her prenatally, and helps advocate for her wishes with medical providers. Research shows this attention is a primary factor in a positive birthing experience; has medical benefits including effects on stress hormones and the progress of labor; and reduces the need for caesarians. Doula services are not widely known, as they are generally not covered by insurance and can be costly. Agencies with survivor clients that could benefit from doula services should contact the network for referrals: saramaimon@yahoo.comThe Meaning of JusticeSurvivors, rape crisis programs and their allies fought to make the criminal justice system take rape seriously. Now, the inequalities within the criminal justice system pose a challenge to inclusivity. When sex offenders, or their victims, belong to communities historically treated unfairly by the criminal justice system, inequalities in the system become a key factor. At the quarterly meeting, we posed the question: How can the rape crisis movement ensure inclusivity to all, while holding offenders accountable?Wilson Prunier of Mustard Seed Forensic Social Work Services, recalled an article he read two years ago, about a man being charged with a sex offense. The author argued that the crime was heinous and the offender should be deported, without treatment. Less than a year later, he was. In this case, issues were raised regarding the lack of communication and collaboration between local and government entities. These appeared to signal, to Wilson, the coming of what we are now hearing and witnessing about the detentions and deportations under Operation Predator. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement Unit's Operation Predator initiative has the authority to hold offenders in detention centers awaiting deportation indefinitely. Offenders cannot communicate with their families. Some cannot be accounted for and are assumed deported. Wilson explained why these kind of policies can hurt survivors and place communities at higher risk. Because many offenders’ victims are their own children, and offenders are often major financial contributors to their families, threat of deportation can discourage reporting. And because offenders are not provided quality treatment before being detained and deported, we are exporting sexual violence to other parts of the world. Taking rape seriously doesn't mean just deporting offenders; havoc can ensue at the country of origin when offenders are not treated, and families here are left with increased financial and emotional burdens. Ije Ude of Generation Five discussed their focus on community involvement in preventing child sexual abuse. Gen-5 looked at current efforts and found that victims are not getting the healing and justice they need. Gen-5 identified offender involvement as a crucial piece in finding that justice. Part of the restorative and community justice philosophy is transformative justice, which transforms the condition that allowed the abuse to take place initially. Helping communities and families respond appropriately to offenders and victims will change that. Ije and Wilson explored a new and complex understanding of sexual violence, its offenders and its victims, both on a global scale and a familial one. The group was responsive and shared their varying perspectives. In an energetic discussion following the presentations, the group discussed how these complexities might inform abuse prevention efforts.
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Marta Sanchez
SAYSO in the wee hours
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