Domestic Violence News

Policy Altered on Taking Children from Victims of Domestic Abuse

A recent ruling by the Court of Appeals of New York State, has stated that battered women will no longer lose custody of their children simply because the children have witnessed violence against their mother. In a 31 page decision, Judith Kaye, chief judge of the Court of Appeals stated that though it might be emotionally harmful for a child to witness violence against a parent, it was not enough grounds for the state to take custody. Under this ruling, social service agencies which remove children to foster care solely because of this basis, are acting illegally. Domestic violence activists expressed satisfaction at this ruling since women in the past were afraid to report abuse for fear of losing custody of their children. The removal to foster care was also traumatic for the children. The court however added that exposure to domestic violence could be grounds for removal of children in some cases, if the children were in danger, and the parent failed to take minimal steps to safeguard them.

This analysis was provided by the Court of Appeals as a result of a class action suit which was being brought against the city of New York by a federal appeals court. The original lawsuit began four years ago in US District Court when battered women claimed that they were being unfairly charged with neglect by city officials, and their children placed in foster care, simply because the children witnessed domestic violence. City officials denied that there was such a policy, but were still ordered to change their procedures in 2002. The case is now before the US Court of appeals which is working with the State Court of Appeals on how the law hould be applied in certain cases.

Sherry Frohman, the Executive Director of the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence shared that local departments of social services have been reevaluating their policies and procedures to cooincide with the new ruling.

DV Events, Conferences, Training

NATIONAL SUMMIT ON INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AND ABUSE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: FORGING A SHARED AGENDA

Description:
The Summit is an event of The National Partnership to End Interpersonal Violence Across the Lifespan, an overarching group of organizations, agencies, coalitions and groups that embrace a national, multi-disciplinary and multicultural commitment to violence prevention across the lifespan. The summit will be organized around thematic threads. These threads represent different aspects of interpersonal violence. Plenary speakers and symposia will represent an interweaving of two or more of these threads. The overall aim is fostering a more integrative perspective on the critical issues to address in eliminating interpersonal violence. The summit includes identifying gaps and issues facing the field of interpersonal violence prevention, integrating practice, research, and policy to affect public awareness, training /mentoring, community action/capacity building, moving from dialogue to action, and multidisciplinary and multicultural strategies.
Date: February 24 – 26, 2010

Location: Dallas, Texas

Contact: For more information: www.npeiv.org or to register go to http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Agenda.aspx?e=dbcb0c58-1c3e-4108-8c24-3991950e647f

TEXAS ASSOCIATION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT CONFERENCE: LEADING THE CHANGE: ADVOCACY IN ACTION

Description: The theme for this year’s conference is Leading the Change: Advocacy in Action. In addition to the general workshops, there will be specialized trainings in primary prevention, diversity and volunteer management.

Date: February 28 – March 4, 2010

Location: South Padre Island, Texas

Contact: For more information: http://www.taasa.org/

THIRD ANNUAL MASSACHUSETTS WHITE RIBBON DAY

Description: Join JDI at the Massachusetts State House in Boston for a White Ribbon Day Proclamation Event, at 1pm on March 2nd, in Gardner Auditorium followed by a reception in Nurses Hall.
On March 2, 2010, men throughout Massachusetts will once again speak out to: change societal attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate and make excuses for violence against women, promote safety and respect in all relationships and situations, build a network of resounding voices that will support and advance the initiatives and efforts of Jane Doe Inc. and its member organizations to promote the safety, liberty and dignity of survivors!
As part of an international human rights effort, the Massachusetts 2010 White Ribbon Day campaign will invite men and boys to be part of the solution in ending violence against women.

Date: March 2, 2010

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, State House

Contact: http://www.janedoe.org/whiteribbonday2010/

IMMIGRANT WOMEN AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WEBINAR

Description: Immigrant women in abusive relationships face numerous barriers to escape because of immigration laws, language barriers, social isolation, and lack of financial resources.
Join Jewish Women International in a 60-minute live webinar presented by Leslye Orloff, vice president and director of Legal Momentum’s Immigrant Women Program (IWP). Leslye is also a co-founder and co-chair of the National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women. She has written local and national training curricula and manuals and is a nationally respected trainer on domestic violence, cultural competency, VAWA immigration provisions, and immigrant victims’ legal rights and experience with domestic violence.
Date: March 4, 2010 12:00 – 1:00 pm

Location: Online webinar

Contact: For more information and to register: http://www.jwi.org/site/c.okLWJ3MPKtH/b.5772451/k.98A7/Mar_4_2010_Immigrant_Women_and_Domestic_Violence.htm

HEALING GENDERATIONS AND TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES, SI SE PUEDE, YES WE CAN.

Description: Sponsored by ALIANZA, National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence. The conference will feature nationally-known experts in the field who will provide the necessary workshops, forums and resources to gain knowledge about your Latino client’s cultural strengths and barriers. For example, topics will include coordinating responses to assist victims and their children; assisting victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and dating violence with obtaining orders of protection; intimate partner stalking; children of immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and dating violence, involving Latino men to combat violence against women, elder abuse; and LGBT Latinas victims of inter-personal violence. The purpose is to address these issues in order to help service providers deliver more effective services and solutions to their Latino victims. Since each culture is different in how it views gender, family, extended family, and the respective roles and responsibilities of men and women, it is vital to know how to best tackle the question of how to best serve Hispanic victims.

Date: March 17-19, 2010

Location: Miami Beach, Florida

Contact: For more information: http://www.dvalianza.org/

INTERNATIONAL FAMILY THERAPY ASSOCIATION: WORLD FAMILY THERAPY CONGRESS

Description: The International Family Therapy Association’s XVIII World Family Therapy Congress will be returning to South America for a highly anticipated meeting when it convenes in Buenos Aires, Argentina, March 17-20, 2010. Theme of the congress is “Family Therapy 2010: Sharing in Challenging Times.” The focus will be on sharing findings, approaches to problems and ways of coping with them, and helping to heal hurting families, couples, and children in various cultures, and fostering mental health and growth in challenging times. Communicating and networking among therapists, researchers, teachers, and mental health administrators both during the time in Buenos Aires and after returning to home and community will be a significant part of the congress process. The congress is expected to enhance participant’s awareness of how the development of family therapy is rapidly becoming a mutual back-and-forth process in which new ways can and are found from all parts of the world.

Date: March 17-20, 2010

Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Contact: For more information: http://www.ifta-familytherapy.org/home.html

PREVENTING, ASSESSING & TREATING CHILD ADOLESCENT AND ADULT TRAUMA

Description: The goals of this Conference are to present the latest research, prevention, assessment, and intervention techniques concerning various aspects of child, adolescent and adult trauma and maltreatment and the long term effects if they go untreated. Plenary and breakout sessions discuss the types of child, adolescent and adult trauma, the dynamics of maltreatment and trauma at home or in the community, and the effects on children, adolescents and adults psychologically, behaviorally and neurodevelopmentally. Nationally and internationally recognized presenters and local practitioners come together to discuss the latest research, assessment methods, interventions, and prevention strategies for children, adolescents and adults who have been traumatized, abused and/or victimized. Application of current research information and practical techniques will be emphasized throughout the Conference.
Date: March 30-April 1, 2010
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii
Contact: For more information: http://www.fvsai.org/Hawaii2010.htm

8TH ANNUAL TENNESSEE COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE CONFERENCE

Description: Tennessee Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence Conference 8th Annual Conference: "Investing in Our Future, Mobilizing For Change."
Join advocates and professionals from across Tennessee for three days of networking, skill building, and training from local and nationally recognized experts in the fields of domestic and sexual violence. Scheduled presentations for "Investing in Our Future, Mobilizing for Change," include: Keynote and workshops from Mildred Muhammad, former wife of the D.C. Sniper, Special workshop track focusing on economic empowerment for survivors, Keynote and workshops from Ted Bunch of A Call to Men, Pre-conference for sexual assault advocates with the National Sexual Violence Resource Center's Sally Laskey, Workshops focusing on cultural competency, children and trauma, substance abuse and much more!

Date: March 30 – April 1, 2010

Location: Franklin, Tennessee

Contact: For more information: http://www.tcadsv.org/conferenceinfo.htm

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON SEXUAL ASSAULT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND STALKING

Description:
Join fellow law enforcement personnel, prosecutors, victim advocates, judges, parole and probation officers, rape crisis workers, medical personnel, faith community members, educators and others in this two-and-a-half-day conference highlighting promising practices and emerging issues in sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking.

Date: April 19-21, 2010

Location: Dallas, Texas

Contact: www.npeiv.org or to register go to http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Agenda.aspx?e=dbcb0c58-1c3e-4108-8c24-3991950e647f

UNICEF-GPIA INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: ADOLESCENT GIRLS, CORNERSTONES OF SOCIETY - BUILDING

Description: The aim of the conference is to inform thinking and practices around key issues and trends related to adolescent girls. Recent years have seen a growing interest in the topic of adolescent girls as a strategic group in addressing poverty alleviation and gender equality. While the experiences gained through years of programs in promoting protective environments in schools, working to eliminate harmful traditional practices, and addressing sexual abuse has provided a growing evidence base, there has not yet been sufficient empirical evidence or knowledge generated to drive effective and innovative policies. The 5th International Conference organized by the Graduate Program in International Affairs at the New School and UNICEF will review current global trends and ideas regarding adolescent girls, explore ways to fill the knowledge gaps and showcase lessons learned and good practices for effective and strategic policy making.

Date: April 26 – 28, 2010

Location: New York, New York: The New School

Contact: For more information: http://www.equityforchildren.org/apr-26-28-2010-unicef-gpia-international-confer...

NATIONAL CALL TO ACTION INSTITUTE AND CONFERENCE

Description: The Women of Color Network in partnership with Office for Victims of Crime (OVC). SAVE THE DATE! The event will begin with three institutes occurring simultaneously over two days: a Women of Color Institute, Men's Institute (in partnership with A Call to Men), and Mainstream Women Allies Institute. This will be followed by a two-day national conference.

Date: May 10 – 14, 2010

Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

Contact: For more information: http://womenofcolornetwork.org/

WALKING THE LINE: TRAUMA, VICTIMIZATION AND BORDERLINE PERSONALITY DISORDER

Description: Barrier Free Justice Annual Conference, more information coming soon

Date: May 13, 2010

Location: Brooklyn, NY

Contact: http://www.brooklynda.org/barrier_free_justice/barrier_free_justice.htm