Welcome to this edition of NYSCASA’s email newsletter, where we share recent items of interest with our community.

Interested in sharing your news with the community? Send us an email with "Newsletter" in the subject line. Please contact Anna Woodworth: awoodworth@nyscasa.org

We want to hear from you! Advocates, programs, and survivors doing work in the field are why we’re here. Please reach out to NYSCASA with needs, concerns, and updates. 

Upcoming Events

FEB.

13

WEBINARS: MenHealing Webinar Series

12:00 - 1:30PM EST: The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) is partnering with MenHealing to offer a six-session webinar series for community-based victim service organizations on working with men who are survivors of sexual violence. Sessions will be offered on the second Tuesdays of the month, February through July 2024, from 12:00-1:30 EST on Zoom. Please reach out to Louie Marven, project coordinator, at lmarven@nsvrc-respecttogether.org with any questions.

FEB.

16

TRAINING: Trauma Responsive and Resilience Informed Care Training of Trainers Applications Due

New York State Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (TINRC) is hosting three days of training-the-trainer experience March 13, 14, and 22. The first two days take place in Newburgh, NY, and the last day takes place virtually. This initiative seeks to increase trauma informed training capacity statewide by creating a network of available trainers and champions to increase awareness and effective response with respect to Trauma Informed Care (TIC) at the local and community level.

FEB.

20

GROUP: Sexual Assault Survivor Support Group

6:30PM EST: WestCOP Victim Assistance Services offers a free, virtual support group which is open to all those located in New York or Connecticut and who identify as female. The group offers a safe place for individuals who have experienced their own sexual assault or are impacted by the sexual assault of a loved one, and will provide psychoeducation, coping skills, and more! Group will begin Tuesday February 20th on Zoom at 6:30PM and run for 9 weeks. To register and answer any questions, please contact Brielle Nuzzo, LMHC: BNuzzo@westcop.org, 914-703-9444.

FEB.

23

MEETING: SANASA All-Campus Meeting

10:30AM EST: The Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault (SANASA) encourages all college students and faculty interested in joining SANASA to join an All-Campus Meeting this spring 2024 semester. Meetings take place on the last Friday of each month. Email E at ebjorkman@nyscasa.org  with any questions about SANASA and click below to register for the All-Campus Meetings.

FEB.

27, 29

WEBINARS: Serving Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

1:00 – 3:00PM EST: Hosted by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV). Black women-identified survivors have been disproportionately harmed by the triple pandemics of COVID-19, intimate partner violence, and racial injustice. These webinars will give advocates the tools and practical strategies to identify, reach, and effectively serve this population. Presenters Carolyn M. West and Doris O’Neal will offer highlights from their newly released 4-part NRCDV TA Guidance document series of the same name. 

MAR.

5

EVENT: Albany Advocacy Day with NYSCASA and the Alliance

10:00AM – 3:00PM EST: Join NYSCASA and the Alliance in Albany for a day of advocacy in our Capitol! We welcome EiE coordinators, EiE program staff, students, campus representatives, and ALL those who want to make their voices heard. Come dressed to impress, representing your alma mater or favorite college/university. We ask that all participants plan to be at the Capitol by 9:15AM in order to make it through security in time for our first meetings. We will follow up with registrants about a central meeting location.

Please register by 5PM on Friday, February 23.

MAR.

5

WEBINAR: Trauma-Informed Approaches to Support Latin@ Immigrant Survivors through Their Immigration Process

2:00PM EST: The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), in partnership between WomensLaw, Esperanza United, and ASISTA, invites advocates to build their skills in supporting Latin@ immigrant survivors through their immigration process. A survivor’s story is one of the most important pieces of evidence for getting a VAWA self-petition or a U visa. Presenters will discuss how to prioritize survivors’ safety and psychological well-being as well as develop an emotional safety plan for survivors as they are often retraumatized and triggered from sharing their stories. 

Recent Milestones and News

FEB.

Black History Month

February is Black History Month, where we celebrate the diverse, dynamic, and pivotal role of Black people in the United States and world history. NYSCASA stands in solidarity with Black survivors everywhere. There is no survivor justice without racial justice. 

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Text reads "Honoring BLACK HISTORY MONTH - 2024" left of two profile silhouettes with a NYSCASA logo below.

FEB.

Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

This month we observe Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, where we raise awareness about the prevalence of teen dating violence and how we can advocate and educate to stop dating abuse before it starts.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Text reads "february is teen dating violence awareness month #LoveLikeThat #TDVAM2024" with a Love is Respect logo below.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: A square white box with teal trim containing text: "WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR: Increased annual funding by $5.1 million for Enough is Enough Programs and Training and Technical Assistance (TTA), a total of $9.6 million annually. An additional $1.5 million over the course of three years to fund a statewide Campus Coordinated Response Team (CCRT) demonstration project. A formal 2024-2025 Statewide Review of enough is Enough Compliance." NYCAASA, Enough is Not Enough, and NYSCASA logos line the bottom.

JAN.

31

Enough is Not Enough Prep Session

NYSCASA and the Alliance were pleased to host the Enough is Not Enough Advocacy Day Prep Session on the 31st, presented by Brittni Gulotty and Emily Miles. Attendees learned about the best practices for meeting with legislators, general messaging, social media plans, and answering difficult questions for the February 6 and March 5 advocacy days.

JAN.

30

TTA Engaging International Students Webinar

The Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) Center hosted an Engaging International Students webinar with Womankind which focused on how EiE providers may effectively engage international students. Presenters Shan Huang and Yifei Zhang discussed the unique aspects of the international student survivors’ experience, shared strategies and approaches used for engagement, and recommended good practices for EiE providers to connect, support, and empower international students.

JAN.

26

First SANASA All-Campus Meeting of 2024

The Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault (SANASA) successfully held its first All-Campus Meeting of 2024 in late January.

JAN.

24

TeleSAFE Webinar

NYSCASA hosted a webinar presented by TeleSAFE, which assists hospitals in providing high-quality, timely forensic medical care to survivors. Presenters Christine Kirk, Christi Waldron, Nancy Harris, Tina Bates discussed healthcare access for sexual assault survivors in New York State.

JAN.

23

Engaging Men on College Campuses with Phil Burse and John Roberts of In Our Own Voices Webinar

The Training and Technical Assistance Center (TTA) hosted a virtual training with experts Phil Burse and John Roberts of In Our Own Voices which provided Enough is Enough providers the knowledge and skill set to engage men on college campuses. The training focused on male identities that are not often included in the conversation.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Presenter Myra Strand motions to a presentation slide on stage at the SART Conference with backs of attendees' heads visible. Presentation slide reads "Rape Culture" with multiple rape culture traits listed within a pyramid.

JAN.

10

Rensselaer County SART Conference

The Rensselaer County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Conference welcomed professionals from various disciplines in early January to attend specialized presentations and connect with others in the field. Presenters Myra Strand, Cindy Neff, Jason Effman, Nancy Harris, and Tina Bates shared their knowledge and expertise in serving victims/survivors of sexual assault in our communities. 

Public Policy and Government Affairs

JAN.

31

NYSCASA Provides Written Budget Testimony

In response to the 2024-2025 Executive Budget, NYSCASA provided written budget testimony that pertains to Human Services.

IMAGE DESCRIPTION: Governor Hochul signs Rape is Rape Bill, seated at table with 'New York Stands with Survivors' sign facing audience. Eleven professionals stand smiling behind Hochul in support.

JAN.

30

Governor Hochul Signs Rape is Rape Bill into Legislation

Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Rape is Rape bill (S.3161/A.3340) in late January. This legislation recognizes the severity of various sex crimes and, crucially, extends protection to survivors and victims in the LGBTQ+ community who were not always able to seek justice under the state law’s previous antiquated definition of rape. NYSCASA expresses our gratitude to Governor Hochul and to the survivors, advocates, and professionals who brought this bill to fruition.

JAN.

25

OVS Blanket Match Waiver Announcement

The New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) released a statement notifying OVS' funded programs that the blanket Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) match waiver will be extended for an additional year, through September 30, 2025. All contract periods ending on September 30, 2023 (Year 1 of the 2022 RFA awards); September 30, 2024 (Year 2 of the 2022 RFA awards); and September 30, 2025 (Year 3 of the 2022 RFA awards) will not require match. Waiving this match requirement provides programs with added flexibility in spending their awards on VOCA-allowable expenses and core direct services.

Program Highlights

Student Activist Network Against Sexual Assault (SANASA)

SANASA is excited to host experts from across the field to present to students on college campuses during the spring 2024 semester. 

During the fall 2023 semester, SANASA hosted four All-Campus Meetings. Some highlights include: 

• Strong Oak LeFebvre of Visioning BEAR Intertribal Coalition presented on Circle Process for Survivors 
• Jasmine Griffin-Inostroza of One Love discussed their membership structure and support systems 
• Scarlett Thompson of the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault shared their prevention-based Project DOT campaign and the OutSmart nightlife and safe environments curriculum 
• Aly Accardi Tarmin presented on the Instagram account New York Survivors, an infographic and digital story sharing platform for survivors and supporters. 

SANASA will continue hosting All-Campus Meetings open to all college students in February 2024. Please share this link with any and all folks who may be interested in joining SANASA.

If you're doing great work on college campuses and would like to share important highlights, updates, or news with the Student Activist Network, reach out to E at ebjorkman@nyscasa.org. 

Recent Publications and NYSCASA in the News

JAN.

29

E. Jean Carroll and Trump Verdict

NYSCASA released a press release in response to the federal jury’s ruling on January 26 regarding writer E. Jean Carroll’s civil defamation case against former president Donald Trump. The statement lauds Carroll’s remarkable bravery in sharing her story and repeatedly pursuing justice.

JAN.

22

Statement from NYSCASA Interim Executive Director Will Rivera

Interim Executive Director Will Rivera shared a statement at the end of January regarding NYSCASA's structural changes.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2024

Coalition Community SAAM Planning

NYSCASA Leadership

Staff Changes at NYSCASA

In recent months, our organization has lost a number of staff members, including Enough is Enough Technical Assistance Director Nicole Blidy.

For those seeking technical assistance related to Enough is Enough, please contact the Alliance for support.

Please email Interim Executive Director Will Rivera at wrivera@nyscasa.org with any questions, concerns, or comments regarding NYSCASA’s internal structure and who to contact for your needs moving forward.

Join Our Team!

NYSCASA Employment Opportunities

• Prevention and Outreach Coordinator

• Programs and Technical Assistance Coordinator

• Enough is Enough (EiE) Program Coordinator

• Associate Director of Operations

Looking Ahead

NYSCASA continues to strengthen our connections with culturally specific organizations in New York and amplify the voices of victims/survivors and advocates in marginalized communities.

Our 2022-2023 Annual Report will be released soon: the publication highlights the important work the NYSCASA team and the Coalition community has accomplished over the past two years. The 22-23 Annual Report will be housed on the NYSCASA website.

Finally, our team continues to prepare for our Annual Meeting in June 2024.