|

What's New

Founder and Mentor in Anti-Sexual Violence Movement Passes

One of our founders, friends, mentors, and key figure in the anti-sexual assault movement, Gail P. Burns-Smith, 62, of Old Lyme and Vernon (CT), passed away unexpectedly at her residence on September 5.

Gail understood early that federal funding and victim-sensitive policies were critical to the efforts of community and state organizations working to assist victims and end sexual violence. She co-founded the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence. The Alliance was instrumental in securing passage of the National Violence Against Women Act and the related funding of programs for services to victims of sexual assault and other violence.

She was the Executive Director of Connecticut Sexual Assault Center of Crisis Services (CONNSACS) from 1982 to her retirement in 2004, where she grew the organization from a staff of just herself to twenty-three. In "retirement" she worked tirelessly on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, and continued as a consultant and advisor to many national organizations and federal agencies, including the Office on Violence Against Women.

Gail was one of the first people from the victim advocacy field to understand the importance of collaboration between victim advocates and sex offender treatment providers. In 1996 she partnered with the Center for Treatment of Problem Sexual Behavior, creating the first Victim Advocate Program for sex offender treatment, which later became the national model for such programs. She was an early and consistent advocate of prevention efforts, working with the Centers for Disease Control and a number of other prevention efforts. Gail's vision of supporting her colleagues led to the foundation of the Resource Sharing Project, now national effort that provides peer-to-peer assistance among sexual assault coalitions. In all arenas, Gail made certain that the voices of survivors were heard throughout her efforts.

She was a graduate of Yale New Haven School of Nursing and earned a B.A. from Eastern Connecticut State University. Early in her career she was a head nurse and the in-service educator of Nursing Staff at Hartford Hospital.

Gail's funeral was held on Friday, September 11, 2009 in Old Saybrook, CT. She is survived by her husband of over 40 years, Thomas E. Smith, daughter Kerry E. Smith, her partner Rue Landau, and grandson Eli Smith-Landau of Philadelphia PA, son David M. Smith and his fiance Mary Coleman of Tacoma, WA, father Thomas P. Burns, brother Thomas P. Burns II and his wife Susane of West Hartford, sisters Patti Burns of Rocky Hill and Maureen Kalafut and her husband Roger Kalafut of Manchester. Gail is also survived by nieces and nephews: Allyson Ruganis, Emely Larson, Sean Burns, Mark Smith, Kennen Smith, Lorraine Pelkey, Joann Rogers, James Mercier, Linda Mullen, Arthur Haskell, Robert Haskell, Susan Gunderson and several grand nieces and nephews.

To make a donation to carry on Gail's work at NAESV please send your donation to:

NAESV
Attn: Ellen Fern
1101 Vermont Ave, Nw; Suite 400
Washington, DC 20005

Memorial contributions may be also be made to The Gail Burns-Smith "Dare to Dream" Scholarship Fund, CONNSACS, 96 Pitkin St, East Hartford, CT 06108.

Thank you, Gail, for all your work, and to her wonderful family, for sharing her time and talents with all of us working to end sexual violence.

Vawa "Fix-It" Language

Since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 several implementation issues with the bill have been raised from the field. In addition, some provisions of VAWA also have not been interpreted by the Office of Violence Against Women as originally intended. As a result legislation has been introduced in the 111th Congress to "fix" some of these issues.

Senator Leahy (D-VT) introduced on January 26, 2009 S. 327, the "Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act of 2009." The bill was cosponsored by Senators Hatch (R-UT), Kaufman (D-DE), and Klobachar (D-MN). On May 7, it was passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Representative Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) and Representative Ted Poe (R-TX) introduced on July 30, 2009, H.R. 3401, the "Improving Assistance to Domestic and Sexual Violence Victims Act of 2009." This is the House counterpart to S. 327. No action on this bill has been taken at this time.

FY 2010 Appropriations Update

Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act
On Thursday, June 25, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed its FY 2010 appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation and several independent agencies. Overall, the bill totals $64.9 billion in discretionary spending for FY 2010, an increase of about $7.3 billion over last year and $200 million above the President's budget request.

Overall the bill provides $435 million for the Office on Violence Against Women including $15 million for the Sexual Assault Services Program. This is $2 million more than what is included in the FY 2010 House Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Bill! For more information on the bill, click here.

This is great news for sexual assault advocates. Next step is for the bill to be brought up for a vote by the full Senate. This is expected to occur in September. Once a final bill is passed, it will then be conferenced with the House bill to resolve all final funding levels. Stay tuned for action alerts this fall as the appropriations process continues.

House of Representatives Passes Final FY 2010 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations Act
On Thursday, June 12 the House of Representatives passed its FY 2010 appropriations bill for the Departments of Commerce, Justice, NASA, the National Science Foundation and several independent agencies. For programs funded through the Office on Violence Against Women, the bill provides an increase of approximately $11 million, including a $1 million increase for the Sexual Assault Victims Services Program funding it at $13 million for FY 2010.

The next step if for the Senate to pass its version of the bill. For more information on the bill, click here.

Gabrielle Union Testifies on Need for Sexual Assault Services

On Wednesday, June 10, award-winning actress and sexual assault survivor Gabrielle Union testified in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on the continued importance of the Violence Against Women Act. Union's testimony focused on her personal experiences as a sexual assault survivor and the need to provide funding to support services for victims. A rape crisis counselor played a critical role in her own recovery.

"Rape victims are not strangers. They are your mothers, sisters, daughters and your friends," said Union. "Justice shouldn't be for a select few but for all. Sexual violence is a complex and traumatic experience for both the victim as well as their support system - family members, friends, and colleagues."

"The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence applauds Gabrielle Union's courage in testifying before the Senate Judiciary Committee about her experience of sexual assault," said Monika Johnson Hostler, President of NAESV. "As the Senate begins its work on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, we are pleased that senators are taking time to think about the needs of the 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men in our country who have experienced sexual assault."

To view a copy of Gabrielle's testimony click here

New FY 2010 Appropriations Briefing Book Available

The Campaign for Full Funding to End Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault released the FY 2010 Appropriations Briefing Book which highlights spending for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) and the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). The briefing book can be viewed here.

House Approves April 2009 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

On April 30 H.Con.Res. 104, a resolution recognizing April 2009 at “National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month,” was passed by both the House and the Senate. The resolution was authored by Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and co-sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX). “Congressional resolutions such as this have an impact. By passing this resolution today, we honor the efforts of individuals and agencies that provide valuable rape crisis intervention and prevention services,” Baldwin stated. “We also call attention to sexual violence as a major public health issue and raise awareness of the need for increased resources for preventing sexual violence.” To read Rep. Baldwin’s press release on the passage of this resolution, click here. To view H.Con.Res. 104, click here.

NCVC and NAESV Applaud White House Sexual Assault Awareness Month Proclamation

On April 9, the National Center for Victims of Crime and the National Alliance to End Sexual Violence issued a press release applauding President Barack Obama for Wednesday�s proclamation designating April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As the first President to issue a Sexual Assault Awareness Month proclamation, President Obama has focused a national spotlight on a crime affecting more than 270,000 Americans a year. The proclamation affirms decades-long efforts to raise awareness about this pervasive and dangerous crime. The official press release can be viewed here.

President Obama Recognizes Sexual Assault Awarness Month
On April 8, the President released a proclamation in recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month! NAESV, along with PCAR and the National Center for Victims of Crime, worked extremely hard over the past several months with the White House as well as the Vice President�s Office to make this happen. It is important to note that the Office of Violence Against Women was extremely supportive of this endeavor as well. Congressional resolutions will also be introduced later this month in the Senate and House. To view the President's statement, click here.

Election Involvement Tips and How-Tos
Have you decided to be engaged in the 2008 election? Be sure to read NAESVs tips and suggestions for 501(c)(3)s.

Protect Our Children Act and Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program
On Saturday, September 27 the House passed two important bills to help victims of sexual assault. The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence applauds the efforts of Congress and sponsors Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL) to prevent and prosecute the sexual exploitation of children via the internet with the passage of "The Protect Our Children Act" and urges the President to quickly sign the Act into law. The bill includes provisions to: Establish a Special Counsel for Child Exploitation Prevention and Interdiction within the Office of the Deputy Attorney General; Improve the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force; Increase resources for regional computer forensic labs; and make improvements to increase the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute child predators. As federal and state task forces work to implement these important changes, NAESV urges them to consult with state sexual assault coalitions and rape crisis centers and prioritize adequate funding for rape crisis services in order to ensure the service needs of victims of internet exploitation are met.

In addition, the House passed HR 5057, the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program reauthorization bill which was passed in the Senate last Thursday. NAESV applauds the work of Senator Joe Biden (D-DE) and Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) who worked so hard for this bill's passage. The Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act of 2008 provides: $151 million per year for the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program to eliminate the current backlog of unanalyzed DNA samples in the nation's crime labs; $12.5 million per year to train nurses, police, and paramedics on collection and preservation of DNA evidence in sexual assault cases; and $30 million per year for the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam Grants to ensure that there are trained and equipped personnel to assist with the treatment and examination of sexual assault victims (SANEs and SAFEs).

Accessibility Statement | Copyright 2008 NAESV