IN THIS ISSUE:
Philly DA Larry Krasner takes a stand for immigrant survivors, iPledge 2018 promotes safer relationships for students, our Police Liaison is honored by PCADV (and the Phillie Phanatic!), the Violence Against Women Act expands its protections for survivors, Amy's Kisses makes a gift to our safe havens, and our smallest survivors need your help as they go back to school!
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Dear Friends and Advocates,
A community in Philadelphia is mourning the loss of a life taken far too soon. On Sunday August 5th, 7-year-old
Kayden Mancuso
was murdered by her father, who then took his own life. Kayden's father had a history of domestic violence, and a court-ordered evaluation revealed he suffered from a major depressive disorder and suicidal tendencies. In spite of all these red flags, a judge granted him unsupervised weekend visitation rights with his daughter.
In fiscal year 2018, Women Against Abuse's Legal Center helped more than
3,500 survivors
navigate our local justice system. And yet cases where survivors and their children face immediate danger from a violent partner are far too common. How do communities keep survivors and their families safe when the law falls short?
The path to safer communities is paved by grassroots efforts like our very own
iPledge Campaign
and partnerships with policymakers and members of law enforcement who are ready to take a stand for the rights of survivors. I am encouraged by the commitment of
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
to survivors of abuse who are undocumented, and by lawmakers in Washington working to expand protections in the 2018 reauthorization of the
Violence Against Women Act
. I'm also proud to work with dedicated individuals like our Legal Center's
Police Liaison Mike Gallagher
, who was recently honored by the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
for leading the way to improve law enforcement's response to relationship violence.
Our summer newsletter has more information about these steps to protect survivors, as well as resources to empower advocates like you to take action in the struggle to end domestic violence.
In Solidarity,
Jeannine L. Lisitski
Executive Director and President
Women Against Abuse
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One in three teens is a survivor of teen dating violence. This fall, our annual
iPledge
©
Campaign
for
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
will
illuminate the prevalence of teen dating violence and honor local schools who are leading the way in preparing their students to pursue healthy relationships.
You can help make this year's campaign a success in-person and online:
- On October 3rd, join us at 12noon at the North Side Plaza of Philadelphia's City Hall for the official launch of the 2018 iPledge Campaign! We’re grateful to have Mayor Jim Kenney as our 2018 Keynote Speaker, and we’re also honored to unveil the story of a young man whose childhood experiences with domestic violence have shaped his views on relationships as a college student.
- Take the #iPledgeBecause Challenge to speak out against domestic violence and spread the word on social media.
- Download the iPledge toolkit for resources and strategies for speaking out against violence.
- Share our messages on Facebook and Twitter throughout the month of October.
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Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner with Women Against Abuse staff members
Brenda Magoba,
Legal Center Director Molly Callahan, and Managing Attorney
Kathleen O’Malley.
Photo Credit: Tom MacDonald/WHYY
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On June 27th,
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner
held a press conference to affirm the city's commitment to keeping immigrant survivors of abuse safe when they testify against their abusers in court. Staff members and attorneys from Women Against Abuse's Legal Center were there, and
Legal Center Director Molly Callahan
delivered a powerful rebuke to Attorney General Jeff Sessions' policies targeting immigrant survivors of domestic violence seeking asylum:
“Women Against Abuse is appalled by Attorney General Jeff Session’s recent decision to end asylum for immigrants fleeing domestic violence. For all victims of domestic violence, leaving a dangerous relationship increases their risk of being harmed. On top of this, immigrant victims face additional barriers when leaving a dangerous relationship, such as fear of deportation, separation from their US-born children and language access barriers. The Attorney General’s ruling, as well as the Administration’s rhetoric and policy decisions surrounding immigration, exacerbate these fears and discourage immigrant victims from seeking assistance. Women Against Abuse works closely with the District Attorney’s office and the Philadelphia Police Department and we want to stress that Women Against Abuse is here to help all victims of domestic violence, regardless of immigration status."
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The
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
was first passed in 1994 with bipartisan support. It served as the first piece of U.S. federal legislation acknowledging domestic violence and sexual assault as crimes, and provided federal resources to encourage coordinated community responses to combating violence.
But did you know that each reauthorization is an opportunity for our elected officials to expand its reach?
When VAWA was reauthorized in 2000 it created a much-needed legal assistance program for victims by
expanding the definition of crime
to include dating violence and stalking. When it was reauthorized again in 2005, the bill included new focus areas such as
prevention, landmark housing protections for survivors, funding for rape crisis centers, and culturally- and linguistically-specific services
. In 2013, VAWA was expanded to include lifesaving services for all victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking - including
Native American women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ victims, college students and youth, and public housing residents
.
This year’s reauthorization gives us a chance to strengthen VAWA yet again! The
housing provisions
included in this reauthorization are important for improving the safety of survivors fleeing abuse because:
- they prohibit housing discrimination against DV victims
- enable victims to maintain safe housing through emergency transfers and vouchers
- guarantee survivors the right to call 911 without retaliation
It also includes additional resources for violence prevention, increased financial assistance, coordinated healthcare responses, and
enhanced protections for indigenous survivors
.
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Mike Gallagher (seated center) with Women Against Abuse Executive Director and President Jeannine L. Lisitski (standing right), members of Mike's family, and staff members from Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Lutheran Settlement House, and Women in Transition.
Photo Credit: PCADV
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On June 13th, the
Philadelphia Phillies
hosted a game to raise awareness of domestic violence as part of the
Father's Day Pledge to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
by the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV)
and
PA Says No More
. Before the game, Women Against Abuse's Police Liaison
Mike Gallagher
was honored with the
Excellence in Male Leadership Award
by PCADV, for his advocacy to survivors of abuse and his commitment to changing law enforcement's response to domestic violence. Mike even got to throw out the first pitch of the game!
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Amy's Kisses co-founder Jill Gobora and her son Michael present the foundation's gift to Women Against Abuse's safe havens via Executive Director and President Jeannine L. Lisitski and Vice President of Advancement Katie Young-Wildes
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Since 2012, the
Amy's Kisses Foundation
has made a difference in the lives of students with financial need through scholarships and materials for SAT and college prep. The organization was founded in memory of
Amy Perez
and her children Molly and Gregory after their lives were tragically cut short as the result of domestic violence. Amy's unique way of rewarding her students' work with chocolate kisses inspired founders
Patti Cush
(Amy's best friend) and
Jill Gobora
(Amy's sister) to think of unique ways to help learners succeed. This summer, Amy's Kisses made a generous gift of $10,000 to help Women Against Abuse renovate the client lending libraries and provide a new supply of learning resources in our safe havens.
"Amy’s Kisses was inspired to refurbish the lending libraries at the safe havens at Women Against Abuse because of our unique set of circumstances," explained co-founder Jill Gobora
via email.
For Jill, making a gift to the lending libraries offered a chance to combine Amy's passion for helping students with the opportunity to address the issue that her parents struggled to acknowledge after losing their daughter.
"Since Amy’s Kisses was established only a year after Amy, Molly and Gregory’s passing, my parents were not emotionally ready to come to terms with the thought of recognizing that my sister was a victim of domestic violence, and instead wanted Amy’s Kisses to focus solely on Amy’s positive attributes of her love of learning and her desire to educate," Jill continued. "As I realized domestic violence awareness was also an area Amy’s Kisses need to address, while keeping true to our mission statement and my parent’s feelings, the natural union seemed to be [providing] enriching educational opportunities to survivors of domestic violence."
Libraries offer individuals of all backgrounds a path to knowledge and empowerment. For survivors, having access to high-quality books and learning resources not only helps them heal after abuse, it prepares them and their children to proceed confidently into the next chapter of their lives.
"Amy’s Kisses hopes that survivors of all ages of domestic abuse will benefit from a warm, cozy, welcoming environment in which to escape life’s daily challenges, relax, and learn. [We hope] that children and adults can visit the safe haven libraries and do their homework, get lost in a good book in a comfy chair, or research continuing education or college prep materials. We hope that the refurbished libraries will inspire survivors who visit to pursue their educational goals and offer opportunities to grow and thrive."
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The back-to-school season is upon us, and you can help our smallest survivors start school with the supplies they need through our
Backpack Drive for Families
. From now until
Wednesday, August 22nd
,
we are accepting donations of new school backpacks filled with newly-purchased school supplies such as:
- Pencils
- A box of crayons
- Folders
- A calculator
- Blank notebooks
- Scissors
- Sticky notes
- A ruler
- Glue sticks
- A pack of construction paper
Donated backpacks can be dropped off at Women Against Abuse's Administrative Office, located at:
100 S. Broad Street, Suite 1341, Philadelphia, PA 19110
.
Thank you for making the back to school season a happier, stress-free one for our families!
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Feeling unsafe in your relationship?
All calls are free and confidential.
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