Victims of Crime Helpline Seeking Volunteers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 27, 2012
CONTACT: Wendy Allmendinger at Day One, Phone: (401) 421-4100, ext. 146

Assist Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Hate Crimes

Rhode Island – The Victims of Crime Helpline is seeking volunteers to help victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and hate crimes.  Volunteers will work with victims at hospitals and police stations throughout the state to offer support, information, referrals, and safety planning.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and complete a 30-hour training program.  The next training session begins September 27th.  To sign up, or for more information, contact Wendy Allmendinger at Day One, 421-4100 x146 or wallmendinger@dayoneri.org.  In particular, there is a current need for volunteers who are bilingual and able to work with diverse populations.  Deadline to apply is September 17th, 2012.

The Victims of Crime Helpline is a partnership between the Day One and the Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center, on behalf of the six domestic violence agencies of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

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U.S. Senator Jack Reed Joins RICADV & Sojourner House to Urge for Renewal of the Landmark Violence Against Women Act

Press Release from Senator Reed's office

PROVIDENCE, RI -- Domestic abuse and sexual violence are serious problems that must be addressed. But efforts to pass legislation that would help thousands of victims escape their abusers is being blocked by some in Congress.

Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed joined advocates from Sojourner House and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence in calling for action and swift passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA), the federal law which provides Rhode Island with funds for hotlines, shelters, and training and education for nurses and law enforcement to help prevent domestic violence and protect victims from their abusers.

"The Violence Against Women Act is literally a lifeline that helps victims escape their abusers. Without critical support from VAWA and places like Sojourner House and the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, victims and their kids can remain trapped in abusive situations and the cycle of violence continues. VAWA is effective. It saves lives and taxpayer dollars. It should be renewed so we can build on effective programs like the ones at Sojourner House that are making a real difference in people's lives," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations subcommittee which oversees federal funding for the Department of Justice's Office on Violence Against Women programs.

Read more: Reed Joins RICADV & Sojourner House to Urge for Renewal of VAWA

Anti-Strangulation Bill Passes General Assembly

We were thrilled last night to see the General Assembly pass the Anti-Strangulation Bill. This important bill provides police officers and prosecutors with a much-needed tool to hold the most dangerous batterers accountable and protect the lives of Rhode Islanders.

When an abuser strangles his victim, he is showing her that he has her life in his hands and that he has the power to end it. By elevating this dangerous and damaging attack to a felony level, police officers, prosecutors and advocates will be able to better protect the lives of domestic violence victims and children and help stop domestic violence homicides.

Read more: Anti-Strangulation Bill Passes General Assembly

R.I. State Budget Passes with Severe Cuts to Domestic Violence Services

We were disappointed to see that the final budget bill adopted by the General Assembly included a 25% cut for community service grants. These cuts will be devastating to domestic violence programs in our state, including the Court Advocacy program, which provides domestic violence victims with advocacy, support and information in the courtroom.

We cannot forget how many other important community programs throughout the state will also be adversely affected by these dramatic cuts, affecting not just domestic violence victims and their families but all those in need. Though we appreciate the difficulty of these financial times, the General Assembly cannot continue to balance the budget on the backs of those most vulnerable in our state.

Read more: Budget Passes with Severe Cuts to DV Services