PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

State Budget Cuts Force Court Advocacy Program for Domestic Violence Victims to Close Mondays

Funds must be restored to continue lifesaving services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 6, 2013

CONTACT:

Cristina Williams at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729;   cristina@ricadv.org; www.ricadv.org; Facebook.com/RICADV; Twitter @RICADV

[PROVIDENCE – May 6, 2013] The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its member agencies that run the statewide Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, and Women's Resource Center) are very sorry to announce today that because of severe state budgets cuts, the court advocacy program will no longer be available to victims of domestic violence on Mondays, starting June 1, 2013. With no other remaining areas to absorb the budget cuts, the agencies are left with no choice but to scale back these much needed services that provide a lifeline to victims of domestic violence in the midst of abusive situations.

Every year since 1988, victims of domestic violence have been able to receive assistance and services from the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program. And, every year since 2007, the funds for this program have been drastically slashed — it is now unable to fully operate with only $129,094 of its original $425,000 budget. It is impossible to staff four courthouses, 5 days a week with this very limited funding. The bottom line for victims of domestic violence is clear: the funds must be restored.

Leer más: Budget Cuts Force Court Program for Domestic Violence Victims to Close Mondays

March 13 Declared NO MORE Day by RI General Assembly

The resolution was chosen to align with national NO MORE Day, an initiative to unify all advocacy organizations and community members that support ending domestic violence and sexual assault across the country

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 15, 2013

CONTACT: Reza C. Clifton at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (401) 497-5246

Wednesday, amidst national and local activity to build awareness for ending domestic violence and sexual assault, the Rhode Island General Assembly issued a commitment of its own: the declaration of March 13, 2013 as NO MORE Day in Rhode Island.

The announcement, which is archived on the General Assembly's website and records, coincided with a community gathering at the State House organized by the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence – in response to the serious issue of Governor Lincoln D. Chafee's proposed budget cuts to programs and services that are vital in saving the lives of domestic and sexual abuse victims. The event was also part of National NO MORE Day, an initiative to publicly launch the NO MORE campaign, which here in RI has been building momentum since last year. To mark the occasion locally, RICADV, its member agencies (Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Sojourner House, Women's Center of Rhode Island and the Women's Resource Center), and Day One invited allies, advocates and the general public to talk with legislators and public officials about the severe impact these detrimental cuts will have on Rhode Island's future—one that should be free of domestic violence and sexual assault, but cannot be if this plan is enacted.

Upon entering their respective chambers, House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket) and Senator Maryellen Goodwin (D-Dist. 1, Senate Majority Whip, Providence) introduced resolutions to the RI House of Representatives and Senate to make March 13, 2013 NO MORE Day, and each body passed the resolution. RICADV was also recognized during both sessions for the organization's work in the movement to end domestic violence.

Representative Coderre and Senator Goodwin are long-time supporters of RICADV and powerful allies in the movement to end domestic violence, and both acknowledged that in passing the resolution, the impact of the day would 1) be felt for years to come and 2) serve as a permanent reminder to all Rhode Islanders to pledge NO MORE to domestic violence and sexual assault. That is, in part, because the resolution includes language recognizing that there are 205,000 victims in the State who experience rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetimes and that domestic violence poses a major public health crisis, not only for the significant others who fall victim to these horrific acts, but also for the children who suffer through the experience and the community that often feels powerless when DV incidences occur.

The resolution also includes the following language about NO MORE Day: "WHEREAS, 'NO MORE Day' serves as a symbol of commitment to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Rhode Island and across the nation; and WHEREAS, 'NO MORE Day' will also serve as a national symbol to bring awareness to issues of domestic violence and sexual assault that all too often get overlooked; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, That this (Senate/House) of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations hereby recognizes March 13, 2013, as 'NO MORE Day,' a day that will be known as the nation's call to end domestic violence and sexual assault."

Deborah DeBare, RICADV Executive Director, commended the General Assembly for publicly making a commitment to ending Domestic Violence in RI. "I am also happy," she said "that the legislators took time to hear from the members of their constituency who joined us at the State House to raise their voices in opposition to these cuts. It is important for members of the public to know that their views and concerns matter, and it is important that our legislators be reminded that domestic violence happens in every community in RI."

To see the entire resolution, visit http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/BillText/BillText13/SenateText13/S0704.pdf. For more information about Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, visit www.ricadv.org or find out about the NO MORE Campaign in RI by visiting www.nomoreri.org.

About RICADV:
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the six domestic violence prevention agencies in Rhode Island. The organization also provides leadership to its six member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

###

1) House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), RICADV Legislative Coordinator Rachel Orsinger and Elvia Sanchez of SOAR – Survivors Overcoming Abusive Relationships (RICADV's taskforce) – pose after both houses pass the NO MORE Day resolution.

2) Mary Roda, Executive Director of RICADV member agency Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County (DVRCSC), poses with Representative Teresa Tanzi, one of the legislators who serves her catchment area.

3) Staff and volunteers from RICADV and its 6 member agencies (Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Sojourner House, Women's Center of Rhode Island and the Women's Resource Center), along with members of RICADV task force SOAR (Survivors Overcoming Abusive Relationships) pose with House of Representatives Speaker Pro Tempore Elaine A. Coderre (D-Dist. 60, Pawtucket), after both the House and Senate passed the NO MORE Day resolution.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Its Six Member Agencies, Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships, and Day One, Address Legislators at State House Community Gathering to Help Thousands of Domestic and Sexual Abuse Victims

Vital programs and services that save lives face 25 percent budget cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 13, 2013
CONTACT: Cristina Williams, RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729; cristina@ricadv.org

[Providence, R.I.] The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence today hosted a community gathering at the State House to address the serious issue of Governor Lincoln D. Chafee's proposed budget cuts to programs and services that are vital in saving the lives of domestic and sexual abuse victims. RICADV, its member agencies (Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, Sojourner House, Women's Resource Center of Newport, and the Women's Center of Rhode Island), Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships (SOAR), and Day One, invited allies, advocates and the general public to participate in the day's awareness efforts. The primary goal was to educate legislators and public officials about the severe impact these detrimental cuts will have on Rhode Island's future—one that should be free of domestic violence and sexual assault, but cannot be if this plan is enacted.

Leer más: RICADV and Day One Address Legislators at State House to Save Victims of Domestic and Sexual Abuse

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Organizes Community Gathering at State House to Help Thousands of Abuse Victims

Vital programs and services that save lives face 25 percent budget cuts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, March 8, 2013
CONTACT: Cristina Williams at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729

[Providence, R.I.] The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host a gathering at the State House from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 during which community members can raise their voices in response to the proposed budget cuts in RI, and stand with the organization and its six member agencies as they demand NO MORE domestic violence.

The RICADV is facing 25 percent budget cuts to vital statewide domestic violence programs and services that save lives—and these cuts will hurt everyone because domestic violence is a public health crisis. But, it is preventable when advocates and victims are given the resources to survive. On NO MORE Day community members will be encouraged to speak to their legislators and public officials before these cuts take place, and tell them NO MORE.

For more information about how to be involved in this critical movement and important day of action, contact: Rachel Orsinger (rorsinger@ricadv.org) or Zulma Garcia (zulma@ricadv.org); (401) 467-9940.

About NO MORE Day:
NO MORE Day was designed to unite all organizations in the United States that seek to end domestic violence by raising awareness in various ways. In RI, the RICADV has chosen to observe the national NO MORE Day by raising their voices in response to the proposed State budgets cuts. By speaking out on this day, voices will resonate loudly - locally and nationally - as one against domestic violence and against these detrimental budget cuts. The impact will be great as the community stands together to end domestic violence.

About RICADV:
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. The RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the six domestic violence prevention agencies in Rhode Island. The organization also provides leadership to its six member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

###

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence Organizes Community Gathering at State House to Help Thousands of Abuse Victims

Vital programs and services that save lives face 25 percent budget cuts

[Providence, R.I.] The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence will host a gathering at the State House from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, 2013 during which community members can raise their voices in response to the proposed budget cuts in RI, and stand with the organization and its six member agencies as they demand NO MORE domestic violence.

The RICADV is facing 25 percent budget cuts to vital statewide domestic violence programs and services that save lives—and these cuts will hurt everyone because domestic violence is a public health crisis. But, it is preventable when advocates and victims are given the resources to survive. On NO MORE Day community members will be encouraged to speak to their legislators and public officials before these cuts take place, and tell them NO MORE.

For more information about how to be involved in this critical movement and important day of action, contact: Rachel Orsinger (rorsinger@ricadv.org) or Zulma Garcia (zulma@ricadv.org); (401) 467-9940.

About NO MORE Day:
NO MORE Day was designed to unite all organizations in the United States that seek to end domestic violence by raising awareness in various ways. In RI, the RICADV has chosen to observe the national NO MORE Day by raising their voices in response to the proposed State budgets cuts. By speaking out on this day, voices will resonate loudly - locally and nationally - as one against domestic violence and against these detrimental budget cuts. The impact will be great as the community stands together to end domestic violence.

About RICADV:
The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. The RICADV was formed in 1979 to support and assist the six domestic violence prevention agencies in Rhode Island. The organization also provides leadership to its six member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and raises awareness on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

###