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2009 Report to the Community
on domestic & sexual
violence in Onondaga County
accomplishments |
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NYS
Legislative Changes
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Omnibus Domestic Violence Bill (various dates of
effectiveness):
* Expands Family Offenses to include some low-level sexual
assault crimes.
* Requires a Family Court Judge to state on the record how
domestic violence and/or child abuse factored into
custody decisions.
* Strengthens domestic violence training for law guardians.
◘
Employment Discrimination
(effective July 2009):
Prevents an
employer from firing or refusing to hire an
individual based on their status as a victim of
domestic violence.
◘
NYS Colleges Address Domestic Violence/Stalking
(effective April 2009): Requires NYS colleges to
provide students with information on prevention,
laws, and the college's response to any incidents or
offenses, including assistance for victims about
domestic violence and stalking.
◘
Updated
Power of
Attorney Law
(effective Sept. 2009):
* Offers new protections for vulnerable adults who have
signed Powers of Attorney.
* An agent will now be subject to a "prudent person standard
of care" with defined responsibilities. This
requires keeping records on the agent's
transactions.
* Authorized parties, including Adult Protective Services,
shall be able to bring a special court proceeding
for a number of purposes, including: compelling the
agent to provide the record of expenses and the
legal document proving Power of Attorney;
determining whether the Power of Attorney was
obtained through duress, fraud, or undue influence;
and even to remove the agent upon grounds that the
agent violated, or is unfit, unable or unwilling to
perform the financial duties under the Power of
Attorney.
* Most
of these changes apply only to Powers of Attorney
executed on or after the effective date.
* Provisions regarding financial responsibilities apply to
ALL Powers of Attorney, including those in place
before 9/2009. |
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In the
Last Year, Our Community...
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Focused
Attention on Male Survivors
The Onondaga Community Sexual Trauma Task Force raised
awareness about male survivors of sexual assault
through a workshop with world-renowned therapist and
author Mike Lew, and a panel of several male
survivors sharing their stories of hope and healing.
◘
Recognized World Elder Abuse Day
The Coalition’s Elder Abuse Committee acknowledged
World Elder Abuse Day on June 15, 2009 for the first
time in Onondaga County with a well-attended
community event.
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Established an International Victims Program
Hiscock Legal Aid
launched a program to provide civil legal assistance
to immigrants, migrants and refugees who are victims
of domestic or sexual violence.
◘
Expanded Safety & Access
Vera
House expanded its shelter services to provide safe
housing to men and transgender individuals.
Accessible and enhanced domestic and sexual violence
resources were created in both English and Spanish.
New resource materials for the LGBTQ community were
created and distributed. A new brochure was created
to reach people with disabilities or Deaf
individuals who may be experiencing domestic and/or
sexual violence. An advisory group of female
survivors with disabilities and Deaf survivors
helped create accessible and trauma informed
services at Vera House and ARISE. |
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Community Awareness & Partnerships
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Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority & 100 Black Men, in partnership with Vera
House, organized a powerful dialogue about healthy
relationships in the African American Community with
over 80 participants.
◘
Clothesline
Project displayed over 500 shirts created by
survivors of sexual assault at Great Northern Mall
and Clinton Square.
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Over
7,300 youth
were educated on healthy relationships, dating and
sexual violence in Onondaga County in 2008.
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For the first
time, leaders in the Deaf Community engaged in a
series of dialogues about healthy relationships and
sexual safety facilitated by Vera House and ARISE
staff.
◘
The Coalition’s
Interfaith Task Force provided information and
resources on domestic and sexual violence specific
to faith communities reaching over
20
congregations as part of Faith Weekend. |
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Read more of the 2009
Report
to the Community . . .
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