Announcements

Below you will find a rotating list of community announcements from our partners and colleagues in the field, ranging from local events and fundraisers to job and volunteer opportunities.

 

Want to receive announcements and more from the NYC anti-violence community straight to your email inbox? Our bi-weekly Alliance Digest features current news, research, community events, local resources and more. Sign up now!

 

To have your program’s announcement included in this list, and in our bi-weekly Alliance Digest, please email webmanager@svfreenyc.org with details and promotional materials, with the subject heading “Announcement”.

Alliance Announcements

 

SAFE TeleSAFE / Telemedicine Seminar
Free monthly sexual assault forensic examiner (SAFE) expert seminar series.

This seminar, Nancy Harris, NP, will present on this innovative telemedicine program designed to provide comprehensive care twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, to victims of sexual assault or abuse who are taken to hospitals that do not have their own SAFE program or lack capacity. This presenter will discuss:

  • What TeleSAFE is and how it works
  • The program’s history and unprecedented growth in 2023
  • TeleSAFE in hospitals with no SAFE nurses
  • How TeleSAFE complements an existing SAFE program
  • How to bring TeleSAFE to your community

There will be a Q&A at the end of the training.

 

Become a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner: 40-hour Adult/Adolescent Course
The objectives of this course address the development of skillful assessment techniques, thorough understanding of the dynamics of rape and intimate partner violence, and the mechanics of injury which provide a solid foundation for working with survivors. This course combines the knowledge and expertise of a nationally and internationally recognized faculty with a variety of educational methods to give participants the maximum opportunity for professional growth in this advanced practice role. Learn more by clicking the link above.

Upon completion of all course requirements, course participants will be able to use the Certificate of Completion for certification purposes as SAFENY with NYS DOH.

 

Virtual Panel Discussion Recording – Defending Bodily Autonomy: Abortion Access & the Sexual Violence Prevention
On June 24, 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Ending our constitutional right to abortion undoubtedly impacts survivors and victims of sexual violence. Click the heading above to access the full recording of a virtual panel discussion highlighting the intersections between abortion access and the sexual violence prevention movement. Through an action-oriented lens alongside legal, medical, and education experts we will discuss how everyone can get involved in defending bodily autonomy in a post-Roe America. Available on Youtube!

 

Alliance Statement on the Overturn of Roe v. Wade
We Support Choice Today. And We Will Support Choice Tomorrow.
The right to the choice not to continue with an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy is an essential, non-negotiable component of the support that survivors of sexual violence deserve after sexual assault. In standing with survivors, the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault supports ready, safe, and unrestricted abortion access in our city and beyond. Click the title to read our full statement.

 

Senior Prevention Coordinator Shilpy Chatterjee Interviewed on Impact of Roe Decision
Alliance Senior Prevention Coordinator Shilpy Chatterjee was recently interviewed in Urdu on Voice of America, and was asked to speak about how the SC ruling could affect the struggle for women’s rights.

 

Alliance Statement on Rejecting Title IX TERFs

The term “TERF” is central to the current public discourse surrounding the upcoming release of the Biden Administration’s Department of Education’s new Title IX Regulations. It is rumored that the new draft rules will redefine “sex” to “gender” and “gender identity.” This potential change in language alone would be a massive win for Trans student rights to an education free from discrimination.

 

The backlash to this possible progress takes form in TERF rhetoric and ideology. For example, so-called feminists, often holding a combination of white heterosexual skinny cisgender womananhoods and other privileged identities, are being given platforms in some of the most major national news outlets to share their thoughts about pending changes to Title IX. TERF opinion pieces are arguing that any Biden Administration re-write to the draft rule would “erase women and undermine constitutional liberties” while others baselessly claim that allowing trangender women to participate in college athletics takes away opportunities for cisgender women.

 

Sport physicist and avid runner Joanna Harper’s says it best in her research: “We always focus on advantages; well we actually allow advantages in sport…For instance, in baseball, the configuration of the diamond lends many advantages to left-handed players over right-handed players. And yet, that’s an advantage we allow. We can have meaningful competition between left-handed baseball players, and right-handed baseball players, despite the advantages…The important question isn’t, “Do trans women have advantages?” What really matters is can trans women and cis women compete against one another in meaningful competition. There’s no indication that trans women are anywhere close to taking over women’s sport, it’s not happening now.”

Click the title to read the full statement!

 

 

The Campus Program is Relaunching: A Blog Post from Senior Campus Coordinator, Sam Skaller

As we rebuild this organization, take accountability for the past, and strive to rebuild community trust, I feel grateful to be back aiding these ongoing efforts. In the spirit of new beginnings, it is my absolute pleasure to officially relaunch the Campus Program!

 

First, we are now able to offer in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to colleges and universities through our Campus Training Institute (CTI). Our training menus for students, faculty, and staff range in content and can be catered to the specific needs of YOUR campus communities. Second, we are able to help support New York colleges and universities in their creation, promotion, dissemination, and/or analysis of Campus Sexual Violence Climate Surveys compliant with NYS Education Law 129b., “Enough is Enough.” Lastly, we plan to launch our student volunteer programs in the Fall of 2022 for eligible NYC students passionate about getting involved in campus sexual violence prevention. More details about all of this can be found on our website here…Read Sam’s full blog post about the Campus relaunch here.

The Alliance is Relaunching: A Blog Post from Alliance ED, Emily Miles

“As many of you know, after a brief period of shutdown this summer, the Alliance hired me as Executive Director in late October, with a charge to work with the broader gender-based violence community to restart operations in a way that is both culturally competent and fiscally responsible. The last two and a half months have been a whirlwind, and I am so grateful to the many who have offered their support and critical feedback as we work to rebuild and reform the Alliance.

 

Sexual assault and sexual violence impact all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Every survivor deserves access to differentiated services grounded in the unique needs of their community and a system that supports them in a manner that is both trauma-informed and culturally competent. In working to restart Alliance operations, we seek to use this time to reflect on how our work can be strengthened to better support the full diversity of survivor experiences, to develop stronger programming and organizational practices reflective of those needs, and to further invest in sexual violence prevention efforts. To accomplish this, we have taken several actions…” Read the full blog post here.

 

 

The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, an umbrella organization for New York City-based rape crisis centers, strongly supports the Adult Survivors Act (A.648/S.66) which would create a one-year window to allow adult sexual assault survivors with time–barred claims to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser and, where applicable, the institution that failed to stop the abuse. Click the link above to read our full statement.

The ‘Enough is Enough’ Onboarding Webinars project was initiated by the Training and Technical Assistance teams at The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault and The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. We felt that it would be helpful to create a series of trainings that provide an overview of ‘Enough is Enough’ programming. When a staff member joins a new ‘Enough is Enough’ program, the Training and Technical Assistance Coordinators provide trainings to help orient them to the landscape of the ‘Enough is Enough’ grant and supervisors often ask for refreshers, so we felt it was important to host the ‘Enough is Enough’: Onboarding Training Series here where providers can access the content as needed. We invite you to refer to it as needed.
11th Annual Virtual Celebration of Excellence – Full Video Included!
The NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault held our 11th Annual Celebration of Excellence virtually on October 22, 2020 at 6:30 pm. Thank you to all who could join us for this virtual event where we honored your colleagues who have done exemplary advocacy work on behalf of survivors of sexual assault! The Annual Celebration of Excellence brings together the sexual assault community to honor and commemorate the winners of the Lydia Martinez Multidisciplinary Collaboration Awards. Thank you for helping us celebrate these extraordinary professionals and their stories of serving survivors of sexual assault. Please check out the link above to watch a video of the entire live event!
On May 6th, the U.S. Department of Education released its final rule mandating how
schools and higher education institutions address sexual violence under Title IX. If allowed to take effect, this rule will make schools more dangerous for all students and will make it easier for institutions to avoid responsibility for responding to sexual assault and harassment. In the midst of a global pandemic, the Department of Education has given schools just 100 days to adapt their policies, at a time when vulnerable populations are at greater risk and schools already need to adapt in order to meet this moment. Please click here to read the Alliance’s full statement on the adoption of this Title IX rule.

Events

 

Mental Health & Wellness Fair: Bronx Community

Calling the community to come out for a day of fun focused on mental health and wellness. Our minds are just as important as our bodies. Come eat, dance, play and stretch with us on May 13th! There will be health screenings, yoga, games, music, food, and much more! We will be providing helpful resources for families. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME! Follow @mental_help_group on Instagram for more information and updates.

 

Ujima Talks: A Conversation with Thecia Jenkins on Teen Dating Violence — Ujima Community

This “Ujima Talks” discusses modern-day relationship culture and how historical treatment of and ideas about Black women impact their experiences with dating and domestic violence. During the conversation, featuring Thecia Jenkins, we discuss how generational trauma shows up in our everyday lives, and how it influences our help-seeking behaviors. We also discuss how society adultifies Black women and girls and how that impacts their relationship with violence. Watch now!

 

Webinar: Beliefs about Sexual Violence Among Muslim Students on Campus — HEART
This recorded webinar explores the intersection of gender and sexual violence beliefs among Muslim college students across campuses nationwide.

For Survivors and Allies

 

Women Survivors Group Therapy — NYC Peace of Mind

In-person weekly group therapy sessions for women who have experienced any sexual abuse and.or domestic violence. We hope to encourage and inspire women to see their inner beauty beyond the scars and fears they experiences. The group is held at NYC Peace of Mind, PLLC on Mondays from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Each weekly session has a cost of $30.

 

Sister Circles  —  Black Women’s Blueprint

Sister Circles are held virtually each week on Thursdays from 7-9 pm EST.

Job Opportunities

Community Organizer — NYC Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
Senior Director of Campaigns — Girls for Gender Equity (GGE)
Senior Director of Programs — Girls for Gender Equity (GGE)
Corporate Research Associate (remote) — RALIANCE