Support the VAWA Reauthorization Now!

The 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) legislation includes the Sexual Assault Services Act (SASA). The proposed SASA will create the first funding stream dedicated entirely to the provision of direct services for victims of sexual violence.

The Senate version of the bill would authorize $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2005-2009; the House version authorizes $60 million for those same years. SASA funding, if appropriated, would provide the State of Utah with $529,031.25 annually for rape and sexual assault services.

Crucial VAWA enhancements include, but are not limited to:

• funding to provide direct services to adult and minor sexual assault victims.
• a new section to ensure that all grant programs: have the same basic definitions for sexual assault and other core terms; address sexual assault, dating violence and stalking (rather than just domestic violence); focus on including communities of color and enhancing culturally-specific services in all phases of program work; and offer strong confidentiality protections for victims of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
• prohibiting the polygraph testing of victims
• stopping the deportation of immigrant victims of sexual assault and human trafficking.
• removing barriers in immigration laws that cut victims off from trafficking victim protections.
• restoring the authority of Indian tribes to appropriately respond to rape by sentencing perpetrators of such crimes beyond one year and $5,000 fine.
• establishing a commission of appointed military leaders and civilian experts on sexual assault to ensure, among other things,: the availability of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners to respond to any sexual assault victim seeking medical services; the implementation of a victim advocacy program; and a comprehensive public education and prevention campaign to reduce the incidents of sexual assault.
• language prohibiting match requirements for certain grantees.
• grants for public information campaigns targeting racial and ethnic minority and immigrant communities about sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
• grants for providing services for sexual assault victims over age 60.

Urge Utah's members of Congress to sponsor VAWA 2005

The month of August is a critical time to build as much support as possible for VAWA reauthorization and expansion. Please write, call and/or request a meeting with the following members of Congress, while on August recess, to discuss the importance of supporting and appropriating this legislation with SASA enhancements.

Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) :contact
Senator Robert F. Bennett (R-UT) :contact
Representative Rob Bishop (R-01) :contact
Representative James D. Matheson (D-02) :contact
Representative Christopher Cannon (R-03) :contact

:sample letter :more information

Toward a Community Solution: A Web Dialogue on Shifting Norms to Prevent Violence Against Women
August 16th, noon-1:30pm
:register

This web dialogue is an opportunity for more advanced and focused conversation about the primary prevention of violence against women. This web dialogue will engage a smaller group of participants than web forums. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Only past web conference participants may attend web dialogues. See below for information on up-coming web conferences.

Learn About Victims' Rights From the Expert
Web Forum Host: Steve Twist
August 31st, noon
:more information and to register

Steve Twist has worked to promote victims' rights for more than 30 years, providing assistance to Congress, state legislatures, and local organizations in implementing statutes and developing and passing victims' rights amendments. He teaches victims' rights law at the Arizona State University College of Law, where he is a founder of the school's Crime Victims Legal Assistance Project, which provides free legal representation to crime victims seeking to protect their legal rights.

Toward a Community Solution: Address the Underlying Contributors of Violence Against Women
Web Conference Presenters: Larry Cohen and Rachel Davis of Prevention Institute
September 7th, noon-1:30pm
:register

Part of the series of free, on-line conferences to explore efforts to end violence against women before it happens. Prevention experts will present on a range of topics to build the capacity of local, state, territorial, national and tribal agencies and organizations to develop, implement and evaluate effective violence against women initiatives.

Exploring the Possibilty of Abuse When Marks are Not Visible
Conference Call Facilitators: Toby Myers, EdD, National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, and Joan Zorza, Esq.
September 8th, 10-11am

Mental health professionals and advocates working to treat and prevent family violence are invited to participate in this facilitated conference call. Please register by calling meredith soffrin at 800.343.2823.

Military Culture and Sexual Assault Victims
A compilation of articles dealing with sexual assault within the military culture and how the military is responding to this issue. Includes 'Military Sexual Assault Victims Faced Inconsistent System of Treatment' by John J. Lumpkin; 'Air Force Issues Long-Awaited Report on Sexual Assault Issues' by Nicole Gaudiano; 'An Atmosphere of Change' by LT Colonel Laurent Fox; and 'Sexual Assault and the Military: A Community Sexual Assault Program's Perspective' by Stephanie Sacks. :publication

Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response
The Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (JTF-SAPR) has launched a website. The JTF-SAPR serves as a single point of accountibility for Department of Defense (DoD) sexual assault policy. This website provides guidance and other information for victims of sexual assault, unit commanders, first responders, and those who wish to prevent or respond to this crime. :website

Access 22 States' Sex Offender Registries Online
The Department of Justice announces the activation of its National Sex Offender Public Registry (NSOPR) website, which provides real-time access to public sex offender data nationwide with a single internet search. The site allows citizens to search the 22 existing public state and territory sex offender registries. :more information

DNA Evidence Collection Training Modules Available Online
The popular "What Every Law Enforcement Officer Should Know About DNA Evidence" (Modules 1 and 2) is now available online. This two-module interactive training curriculum provides basic and advanced DNA evidence identification instruction and information on the preservation and collection of DNA evidence. :more information

utah sexual violence council
department of health
288 north 1460 west, rm 125
salt lake city, utah
september 28th, 12pm-2pm
:more information

rpeg quarterly meeting
department of health
august 10th, 10am
guest speaker: rory c. reid, msw, program director for the provo counseling center
topic: pornography and its intersections with sexual violence

assisting utah women with disabilities who are victims of violence: a workshop for disabilities, sexual assault and domestic violence personnel
september 13th-14th
brigham city, utah
:more information :schedule
:register

sexual assault nurse examiner training
salt lake city, utah
october 3rd-7th
tuition: $225
ceu's: 40 hours
:more information :register

the faces of sexuality and violence: 2nd annual conference on sexual violence in utah
December 7th-9th
salt lake city, utah
:information and registration
:call for presenters

university of utah
salt lake city, utah
august 8th, 10th, 12th, 15th & 17th, 8am-5pm
:more information

rape recovery center
salt lake city, utah
august 9th, 11th, 13th, 16th, 18th, 20th, 23rd & 25th, tuesdays and thursdays 5:30-9:30pm & saturdays 9am-6pm
:more information :register

canyon creek women's crisis center
cedar city, utah
september 22nd-24th, 8am-5pm
:more information :register

ucasa trainings meet the continuing education requirements for social work.

national conference on sexual violence prevention and intervention
pittsburgh, pennsylvania
september 28th-30th
:conference information

18th annual conference on child abuse and family violence
salt lake city, utah
october 3rd-5th
:conference information