NYSCASA Monthly Digest – November 2019

Do you have news for NYSCASA to share in our next digest? Email submissions with “Newsletter” in the subject line to Chelsea Miller, Communications Director, at cmiller@nyscasa.org.

 

 

Coalition News

 

NYSCASA Is Hiring!

NYSCASA is currently hiring for two full-time positions at our Albany office:

  • Campus Projects Director: The Campus Projects Director is responsible for ongoing development of NYSCASA’s initiative that addresses improved communication between campus personnel, rape crisis advocates, local law enforcement, community partners, students, and county prosecutors to allow for a coordinated statewide and community specific response to collegiate sexual violence.
  • Grants Compliance Director: The Grants Compliance Director has overall responsibility for ensuring NYSCASA and its grantees effectively fulfill funding requirements and expectations.

We are looking for candidates who are dedicated to our mission of ending sexual violence while addressing the intersections of oppression and injustice.

To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume by email to Sam Mitchell at smitchell@nyscasa.org.

In Case You Missed It: Comprehensive Sex Education Op-Ed in the Times Union

This fall, NYSCASA collaborated with Prevent Child Abuse New York and Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts on an opinion editorial in the Times Union advocating for comprehensive sex education in New York State.

As the 2020 legislative session approaches, we must reflect on what has been accomplished to protect and empower the youth of New York state: Do they have the tools they need to lead healthy and productive lives? Assembly member Cathy Nolan, D-Ridgewood, and Sen. Jen Metzger, D-Rosendale, have introduced legislation (A6512/S4484) that would equip students with information and skills they need to engage in healthy relationships with themselves and each other. We urge the passage of this legislation, which advances the health and well-being of our youth by encouraging educational and community support systems.

Read our full commentary in the Times Union.

Gearing Up for #GivingTuesday

Giving Tuesday is Tuesday, December 3. If you aren’t familiar, it is a global day of giving that takes place on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Give back on Dec 3rd by donating or creating your own fundraiser for New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault. This year we are fundraising to strengthen sexual violence prevention and response efforts. Join us: bit.ly/GivingTuesdayNYSCASA

 

 

 

Coalition Events

 

Trauma Stewardship Event in Syracuse (November 14)

Join Vera House, Inc., for a two-part event, “Navigating Amidst Overwhelming Times: Whether because of trauma, crises, or really, really hard days,” with trauma expert Laura van Dernoot Lipsky. Laura van Dernoot Lipsky is founder and director of The Trauma Stewardship Institute and author of Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others and The Age of Overwhelm: Strategies for the Long Haul. Read more and register here.

Rensselaer County SART 9th Annual Conference (January 16)

On January 16, in Troy, NY, the Rensselaer County SART offers its ninth annual training opportunity for professionals who work to reduce sexual assault, and/or work with sexual assault victims/survivors. This year, the conference will focus on creating inclusion in our communities. This unique conference offers the opportunity for individuals from various disciplines, who often work on complex cases together, to train alongside one another. We anticipate that this conference will draw attendees from throughout New York State who represent the victim services, law enforcement, healthcare, higher education, mental health, and criminal justice fields. Students are also welcome at this training. Register here.

2020 Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Conference: Ending Violence Without Violence (Syracuse, NY)

NYSCASA is thrilled to announce that we are co-creating a conference to be held in 2020 with Seven Dancers Coalition, the Indigenous anti-violence coalition in New York State and Haudenosaunee Country, and Interrupting Criminalization: Research in Action, a new project led by Mariame Kaba and Andrea Ritchie at the Barnard Center for Research on Women. The 2020 Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention Conference will be held in Syracuse, NY, on June 4–6, 2020, with a pre-conference institute on June 3.

This conference will provide a space for survivors, advocates, counselors, victim assistance programs, allied organizations, and community members across New York State and Haudenosaunee Country to develop the knowledge, skills, and courage to implement community-centered practices to prevent and respond to harm and sexual violence.

Pre-conference events, speakers, and registration information to be announced.

Sign up to receive updates about the 2020 conference here: bit.ly/NYSCASA2020

For information about additional upcoming events, be sure to check NYSCASA’s calendar!

 

 

Sexual Violence in the News

 

 

New and Noteworthy Resources

 

Repairing Harm: A Better Alternative to Punishment

In this blog post and podcast interview, Cult of Pedagogy discusses the practice of repairing harm as an alternative to punishment with Brad Weinstein and Nathan Maynard, authors of Hacking School Discipline: 9 Ways to Create a Culture of Empathy & Responsibility Using Restorative Justice.

Read more and listen here.

Building Accountable Communities: A Video Series

Accountability is a familiar buzz-word in contemporary social movements, but what does it mean? How do we work toward it?

In this series of four short videos, anti-violence activists Kiyomi Fujikawa and Shannon Perez-Darby ask and explore: What does it look like to be accountable to survivors without exiling or disposing those who do harm?

Learn more and watch the series here.

Stop It Now! Helpline Report

Stop It Now! recently published a new report about the Stop It Now! Helpline. The helpline offers accessible and confidential information, guidance, and support to anyone who is concerned about their own feelings or someone else’s sexualized feelings or behaviors toward children, worried that a child has been sexually harmed, or simply seeking information about preventing abuse. The new report shares not only data but the stories and insights that have resulted from the sheer presence of this unique and critical prevention resource. The data, combined with the personal voices and stories gathered from our confidential and anonymous Helpline users, demonstrates that the Helpline fills an essential need in child sexual abuse prevention—a safe place for adults to talk about and get help with extremely sensitive, difficult and often terrifying concerns.

Read the full report here.

 

 

Job Opportunities

 

Jobs at NYSCASA and Rape Crisis Member Programs

 

Jobs at Allied Organizations