Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

State Budget Cuts Force Court Advocacy Program for Domestic Violence Victims to Close Mondays

Funds must be restored to continue lifesaving services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 6, 2013

CONTACT:

Cristina Williams at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729; cristina@ricadv.org; www.ricadv.org; Facebook.com/RICADV; Twitter @RICADV

[PROVIDENCE – May 6, 2013] The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence and its member agencies that run the statewide Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program (Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center, and Women's Resource Center) are very sorry to announce today that because of severe state budgets cuts, the court advocacy program will no longer be available to victims of domestic violence on Mondays, starting June 1, 2013. With no other remaining areas to absorb the budget cuts, the agencies are left with no choice but to scale back these much needed services that provide a lifeline to victims of domestic violence in the midst of abusive situations.

Every year since 1988, victims of domestic violence have been able to receive assistance and services from the Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program. And, every year since 2007, the funds for this program have been drastically slashed — it is now unable to fully operate with only $129,094 of its original $425,000 budget. It is impossible to staff four courthouses, 5 days a week with this very limited funding. The bottom line for victims of domestic violence is clear: the funds must be restored.

Regarding the Domestic Violence Attempted Murder of Allison Taylor

Press Statement by Mary Roda, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County, and Deborah DeBare, Executive Director of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, May 8, 2013

CONTACT: Cristina Williams at RICADV: (401) 467-9940; Cell: (917) 940-3729; cristina@ricadv.org; www.ricadv.org; Facebook.com/RICADV; Twitter @RICADV

"Our hearts go out to the family, friends and community of Allison Taylor. Her tragic death, allegedly at the hands of her son, reminds us how far we have to go to achieve a society in Rhode Island that is free of violence in the home. While details are still unfolding, this tragedy appears to be a clear case of domestic elder abuse. Allison Taylor was 65, and we know that her son, Robert Taylor, 45, was living in the home with her; he has been charged with domestic murder for the killing of his mother and disposal of her body."

SURVIVING AND THRIVING

Welcome to our 2012 interactive Annual Report. You may download it two ways: through the link below and through the flip book tool, which is a higher resolution file. Please share it through the social media icons you find in this tool as well. Thanks for your continued support!

2012 Annual Report

NO MORE.

These were among the two most common words being seen and heard around the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence office and community as we closed 2012. That is in part because we, as a state coalition, had signed on to join the NO MORE campaign, a national movement launched for organizations and individuals who want to work toward the joint objectives of ending domestic violence and sexual assault. NO MORE is exemplified by a symbol that is designed to be recognized like the peace sign, the "support our troops" ribbon, or the AIDS ribbon, and we were playing our part by creating visibility around the campaign. We did this, figuratively through work with our member agencies and community partners, and literally through advertisements and signage placed and distributed statewide.

NO MORE is also the embodiment of what the RICADV is working toward: the elimination of domestic violence in Rhode Island. That goal guided our work all year long even in the face of significant challenges. For instance, after cuts made last year by the RI legislature, combined with cuts made in the previous five years, two important service areas - the Court Advocacy program and the Children Who Witness Domestic Violence program - have seen more than $500,000 in state funding cuts.

But even with the difficult economic times, the RICADV saw a variety of accomplishments and progress made in 2012.

We opened our doors to new survivors and ways of engaging with them, including through financial literacy programming and theatre; to new ways of reaching men, college students, and rural communities; and to new businesses, organizations, and community leaders who want to join RICADV and the movement to end intimate partner violence.

It is these kinds of alliances, collaborations and demonstrations of support – and those that we have with and from you – that you will see throughout this report; the ones that enable us to continue the work of protecting victims, holding batterers accountable and eliminating domestic violence in Rhode Island.

We thank you for your support and we look forward to continuing our work with you in 2013 and beyond. Together we can end domestic violence.

With Appreciation,

RICADVAnnualReport 2012 Deb Ana