Great News!  The Coalition’s priority legislation for the 2009 General Assembly session become law.

The General Assembly convened on January 5, 2010 to override a number of vetoes by Governor Carcieri, including bills S510, sponsored by Senator Maryellen Goodwin, and H5227 Sub A, sponsored by Representative Elaine Coderre.  These bills increase the fines for domestic violence offenders and earmark the increase to the Coalition.

That revenue will be used to offset the more than 50 percent funding cuts previously made to the Court Advocacy Program, which assists victims of domestic violence as they navigate through the court system.  Because of this legislation, services will be restored to victims of domestic violence throughout the state.

We are grateful to Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed, House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, and our champions and sponsors House Deputy Majority Whip Elaine Coderre and Senator Maryellen Goodwin.

To find out more about this legislation, as well as the successful passage of the expansion of the existing address confidentiality program, download our Legislative Summary.

Legislative_Summary_2009.pdf

During the 2008 Legislative Season, the Coalition worked hard to prevent a 50% cut in funding to our Children Who Witness and Court Advocacy programs. Unfortunately, due to the state's budget deficit, funding to these programs was cut by %50. The cuts to these vital programs will have a devastating impact on domestic violence victims and their children and a severe consequence to our entire community.

To learn more about the impact of these budget cuts and the other work we did during the 2008 legislative season, download our 2008 Legislative Summary here 608.71 Kb .

SAFETY FOR CHILDREN

A report on the impact of Rhode Island's custody system on victims of domestic violence and their children.

Even when victims of domestic violence attempt to live free from violence and protect their children, they too often continue to suffer injustice and abuse throughout the custody and visitation process. As a result of having this issue surface as a priority concern for its members, SOAR (Sisters Overcoming Abusive Relationships), with the support of the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence, established the Child Custody and Visitation Advisory Committee (CCVAC) in 2007.