Thank you for your extraordinary advocacy around VAWA’s reauthorization and your work to defeat H.R. 4970, a bill that moves backward on VAWA reauthorization.  Although the bill passed in the House (222 to 205) it was a divided and very close vote.  This close vote will help to strengthen the voice of victims when the House and Senate bills are reconciled in the conference process and we will continue to work hard to get a VAWA that moves forward. 

Our work is not done!  Now we must thank those who stood for and with victims of violence and express our disappointment in those who did not and voted to weaken VAWA.  We can look forward to the conference process, where we can push to ensure that the vote will more closely reflect the Senate passed S. 1925.  Please take the following actions – we have to keep the pressure up to get the best law for victims!

ACTION 1:  THANK REPRESENTATIVES WHO VOTED AGAINST H.R. 4970

Now we need to thank Representatives who voted against H.R. 4970.  Please call these Representatives and say, “Thank you for listening to the needs of victims and for voting against H.R. 4970.  We look forward to your continued leadership as VAWA is addressed in the conference process.” 

Click this link to find those who voted “NO”  http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll258.xml#N.  To find your Representative, click herehttp://www.house.gov/representatives/find/.  Use the Capitol Switchboard to be connected with your Representative’s office (202) 224-3121. 

ACTION 2:  EXPRESS YOUR DISAPPOINTMENT TO REPRESENTATIVES WHO VOTED YES ON H.R. 4970

Find out if your Representative voted for the flawed H.R.4970 through this link http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2012/roll258.xml#Y (an “AYE” vote is a yes on H.R. 4970).  To find your Representative, click here http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/.  Use the Capitol Switchboard to find your Representative’s phone number – (202) 224-3121.

Please call your Representative and say, “I am disappointed in his/her vote on H.R. 4970, a bill that moves backward on VAWA because it rolls back long-standing protections and does not meet the urgent needs of many victims.  We urge him/her to support a bipartisan bill that mirrors the Senate passed S. 1925 as the bill moves forward.”  

You can also modify and send this Letter to the Editor.  This letter is designed for individuals and organizations who voiced their concerns with H.R. 4970 and were disappointed in their Representative’s vote. 

Listen to victims – move forward on VAWA

I am writing to express my extreme disappointment in the passage of H.R. 4970 in the U.S. House of Representatives.  I called my Representative, XX and urged her/him to vote against this bill which rolls back protections for victims and does not meet the urgent needs of many victims.  Not only did my Representative not listen to me, he/she did not listen to any of the thousands of organizations and individuals engaged in the work to end violence against women who urged them to vote against the bill.  Many Representatives claimed that the provisions in the Senate bill were included to make this a political fight.  As a victim advocate, I have no interest in such a fight.  I just want to ensure that all victims are protected from abuse and that perpetrators are held accountable.  And make no mistake, H.R. 4970 is not a bill that is supported by my organization and it does not address many of the most pressing needs of victims

The House had the opportunity but failed to take up the bipartisan Senate bill that enjoyed the support of thousands of victim-centered organizations working to end domestic and sexual violence.  We urge the House and the Senate to come together to pass a bipartisan bill that builds upon VAWA’s strengths, moves the legislation forward and meets the urgent needs of victims. Victims need VAWA to pass – with protections and services for all!

Monica McLaughlin

Senior Public Policy Specialist

National Network to End Domestic Violence

mmclaughlin@nnedv.org

Cell: 202.251.2191

Main office: 202.543.5566

www.nnedv.org

TELL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO VOTE NO ON (H.R. 4970) – it STILL weakens the Violence Against Women Act!

While H.R. 4970 will be amended before a vote tomorrow, it STILL rolls back protections and is harmful for victims.  We must tell our Representatives that we strongly oppose this bill.  The vote could be as early as tomorrow, so now is the time for Representatives to hear from you.  If you have called before, please call again to ensure that your Representative knows that H.R. 4970 STILL harms victims. 

ACTION 1:  CALL EACH U.S. REPRESENTATIVE AND TELL THEM THAT H.R. 4970 STILL HARMS VICTIMS

Message: “H.R. 4970 STILL HARMS victims of violence.  We oppose H.R. 4970, even as amended, because it rolls back protections for victims and does not address the needs of all victims. We support a bill like the bipartisan Senate bill that protects Native victims, immigrant victims, LGBT victims and other marginalized communities.  The House must must support ALL victims.” Use the Capital switchboard number (202) 224-3121 to be connected.

H.R. 4970 moves VAWA backward – please read and share this New York Times Op Ed -  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/14/opinion/backward-on-domestic-violence.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Mental Health Specialist Gone MENTAL.....

For those females that have no children and bully the children of their mates, that is also abuse or Domestic Violence......


A Mental health specialist should be able to identify someone with these traits or characteristics very easily......
Unless it is not their intent to care for the child, but to cover up for the battering parent. Why do you do it??? Is it Money? Is it Power over the abused?? Are you a batterer too??


Yes you are. You use your power of the system and hide behind your title to batter the stronger person. For your info, if that person is truly strong and has had enough, you might as well kick rocks. I AM NOT AFRAID. The previous blog holds strong.


I am taking a stand for every Mother you have bullied, made false allegations about. Cheated out of the right outcome and on top of that destroyed the family and values that those Mother's children could have had, had they have not trusted you as their cfi, your not even worth the capitol letters......


You are not worth the dirt under my fingernails.....


Ladies and Gentlemen hold your head high and fight for your children. YOU are their ONLY Advocate, don't let anyone fool you into thinking, they have the best interest in your children. When MONEY comes into play, your children are just another commodity. 


Parents know their children's worth, and unfortunately batterers know how to pull the true parent down, With their children. SAD, but it can change, look at the last couple of blogs, WE can make a change, by NOT BEING AFRAID.


CONTINUE TO ADVOCATE FOR YOUR CHILDREN, YOU ARE TRULY THE ONLY ONE WHO CARES.........


JJ

Progress for Efforts!!

Dear Fellow Coloradan,

I am proud to announce that last week the Senate passed the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA). The bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives, where – despite receiving broad bipartisan support in the Senate – it faces an uphill battle.

Especially in an election year, even common-sense legislation like VAWA is at risk of turning into a political chess piece. That's why I'm calling on my colleagues in the House not to allow this truly bipartisan legislation to be compromised by partisan games.

You can show your support for VAWA by signing my petition: http://markudall.senate.gov/vawa.

VAWA is an important tool to fight back against domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking and other crimes that affect the entire community. For the past 18 years, VAWA has supported critical services for victims and survivors, and provided our law enforcement beefed-up resources and tools for catching and prosecuting perpetrators of violent crimes against women.

VAWA has been instrumental in making a difference in the lives of millions of women, children – and yes, men too – across our country, changing the way we think about and respond to domestic violence. In 2010 alone, 60,000 survivors of domestic violence in Colorado contacted state crisis hotlines seeking help – a staggering number that reinforces the urgency of reauthorizing VAWA.

Thank you for all of your support in helping me pass this important bill in the Senate. I hope you will stay involved as the bill is considered in the House.

Warm regards,

I'm not afraid (I'm not afraid)
To take a stand (to take a stand)
Everybody (everybody)
Come take my hand (come take my hand)
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just letting you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel like you've been down the same road (same road)
Chorus by Eminem, I'm not afraid


Don't be afraid to stand up and fight, for those you love, especially your children. You carried them, had them and raise them on a day to day basis. Fight for your rights and theirs, till the end.......


JJ