Support Women – Take Action on VAWA funding

–While this posting originated as an e-mail from the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault, it applies to EVERYONE!!  Read the entire posting please.  You’ll see what you can do right now (Today):

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will begin consideration, with votes throughout the week, of funding for VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) programs under the jurisdiction of the FY2010 Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS) spending budget.  We are incredibly proud that one of Wisconsin’s own, Rep. Gwen Moore, will be leading the effort to increase federal funding for Civil Legal Assistance for Victims.

WCADV has been working with Rep. Moore to include the voices of Wisconsin survivors in the discussion, as Rep. Moore makes the case for providing more victims with civil legal assistance.  Thanks to the brave survivors who have offered to share their stories with Rep. Moore and be spokeswomen for VAWA funding!

Now we all can join survivors around the country in fighting for increased funding.   Please call your House Member and ask him or her  to support the following amendments:

Moore/Poe Amendment: This amendment would increase funding for Civil Legal Assistance for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by $4 million (from $37 million to $41 million).

Reichert Amendment:  This amendment would provide funding for the 1st time the STEP program at $5 million.  The STEP program provides prevention and early intervention services for middle school and high school students regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.

Gresham Amendment:  This amendment would ban earmarks from raiding the Grants to Combat Violence Against Women account, thereby safeguarding funding for the essential STOP grants and Transitional Housing program.

Never called a Member of Congress before? Don’t worry, it’s easy!

Call 1-866-305-9428 toll free to be connected to the Capitol Switchboard.  Tell them the name of your Representative and they will connect you to their office.   Your call will be answered by a receptionist.  Tell him or her:

“Hello, my name is ____ and I am a constituent, from [include your state and town or zip].”
“I urge Representative [last name] to vote YES on the Moore/Poe Amendment, Reichert Amendment, and Barrett Amendment.
These Amendments will provide increased funding to help meet the dire need for victim services nationwide.
“Thank you.”
Outlook and Next Steps

We expect that the House to vote on amendments throughout the week and finalize their work on the CJS spending measure by Thursday, June 18th.  Once the House completes work on the CJS bill, the Senate will begin consideration of their version as early as next week.  Stay tuned for updates.

High school students take action on intimacy & sexual assault!

Too often, the media and entertainment industry (TV news shows, gossip magazines, & online new sources) focuses so much attention on negative and/or dangerous choices male and female teenagers engage in – that they miss a lot of the positive choices high school students make concerning intimacy, dating, sexual activity, and supporting sexual assault survivors every day in our country.   We were honored to hear our “Can I Kiss You?” program inspired teenage students in Wisconsin at Lodi High School, Portage High School and Wisconsin Dells High School to continue the messages of “Asking First,” “Opening a Door,” and “Being a Friend” throughout their high school careers. They created an “AWARENESS DAY” at their schools and in their communities.  In addition, they are already working on creating ideas for next school year AND concepts to be practiced over this summer which encourage safer and healthier decisions for everyone.  They shared pictures with us of males and females taking active roles in making educational posters addressing consent, respect, boundaries, supporting sexual assault survivors ,and dealing with sexual intimacy in high schools. The posters were being put up around the schools AND in popular community places of business for students to see throughout the summer.  The teenagers told us the poster making was motivated by the “Do You Ask?” posters addressing consent at http://www.DoYouAsk.org

Regardless of where you are located geographically, send a note to their Principals and give them a big Kudos for being role models to others.  Here are the 3 e-mail addresses:

lovela@lodi.k12.wi.us
exok@portage.k12.wi.us
ckunau@sdwd.k12.wi.us

Share your thoughts and encourage more students to follow these ideas by leaving your comments in the “Leave a Reply” box below.

Welcome to 2009 Blog

Welcome to our 2009 Blog.  As you can see, we have included posts from our previous blogs from 2007 – 2008 before we took a break to remodel our online community which is now launching in the summer of 2009.

The Date Safe Project blog is a CONVERSATION and so please engage and SHARE with everyone here by utilizing the “Comments” after each post.  You will find posts for parents, educators, students, and caring individuals & organizations addressing dating, intimacy, decision-making, and sexual assault.  While having fun sharing your thoughts with us, please keep comments positive in tone.  THANKS!

Lets make a difference together,
Mike Domitrz