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Alliance: Newsletter: Spring 2006: Policy Corner

Newsletter: Spring 2006: Policy Corner

Federal

SASP funding

The Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005 (HR 3402) was passed by Congress before the Winter Intercession and was signed into law by President Bush on January 5, 2006. However, all of VAWA's new programs, including the SASP rape crisis funding, were authorized too late to be included in the President's FY 2007 budget request. In an effort to fund it, Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) are circulating
a letter to rally Congressional support for SASP funding. ([1] More information).

State Offender Legislation

Civil commitment of sex offenders was highlighted by Governor Pataki in his State of the State address as one of his five primary goals for the next four years. He suggested "a comprehensive series of measures that will provide New York's children with every possible protection from sexually violent predators and keep New York's families safe." The governor then advocated for civil commitment of sex offenders and longer prison sentences. Proposed civil commitment laws seek to place offenders in psychiatric institutions after their release from prison. According to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD), the proposed legislation does not provide for adequate protection of patients or for
increased capacity to treat sexual offenders. NASMHPD has identified steps necessary to implement a statewide civil commitment of sex offenders, including the creation of separate facilities in order to handle their specific needs. ([2] More information).

Local

SAFE in the City II

Last June the Alliance gathered key stakeholders in order to brainstorm on a strategy that will provide all rape victims the best access to care. On Tuesday, January 24, the Alliance organized SAFE in the City II to discuss specific strategies. Participants debated whether to focus on establishing SAFE Centers across the board, or to first create a system to transport victims to hospitals best equipped to provide them with specific services. NYC Council testimony In December Harriet Lessel testified before the New York City Council's Women's Issues Committee. First, she thanked the Committee for recognizing sexual violence as its own, separate issue. She also lobbied for prevention and education initiatives. The Alliance is grateful to outgoing chairperson Tracy Boyland for all her support. We also look forward to strengthening our relationship with the Committee.

City Council Elections

We would like to thank the New York City Council members who have served the city this past year. Congratulations to the eight new council members elected in the November elections. We also extend a special congratulations to newly elected Speaker Christine Quinn. We are enthusiastic about working with you this year!

The Economic Costs of Rape

The costs to our healthcare and criminal justice system to treat and counsel rape victims and to prosecute perpetrators are enormous. It was estimated that in 1995 the health care costs associated with rape exceeded $26 billion a year. Add in time off from work, and the cost of rape to society climbs even more. Twenty percent of rape victims report missing work as a result of their attack, with one in five reporting more than eleven days out of work as a consequence of the physical and mental strain following their attack.

Data provided by Dr. Victoria Fry from the Center for Urban Epidemiologic Studies of the New York Academy of Medicine

(Read [3] other articles in this series.)

[4] ← previous article | [5] next article →

[1]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/alert_63.html
[2]: http://www.nasmhpd.org/general_files/position_statement/sexpred.htm
[3]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_column_4.html
[4]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_218.html
[5]: http://www.nycagainstrape.org/home/nycaasa/stage.nycagainstrape.org/newsletter_article_221.html

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