FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2022 Contact: Dianna Thompson (202) 531-9330 director@stopabuseforeveryone.org Stop Abuse For Everyone Announces an Esteemed “Woman of the Year” Award Winner
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8, Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) has designed its “Woman of the Year” award to celebrate women who recognize underserved victims of both domestic violence and abuse, as well as those whose long-term devotion focuses on helping victims despite their gender, age, race, or sexual identity.
For such dedication, SAFE announces Erin Pizzey as its 2022 Woman of the Year recipient. “I learned that Erin Pizzey has supported domestic violence victims for over 50 years, making this award especially fitting,” said Dr. Vermelle Greene, Executive Director of SAFE.
Pizzey is best known for starting the first safe house for women and children escaping domestic violence. Originally started in Chiswick, West London in 1971, “Chiswick Women’s Aid” is now called “Refuge” and is currently the largest domestic violence shelter in the world.
This first shelter, which modeled how to help women who were suffering abusive circumstances in their homes, led to the development of thousands of shelters all around the world.
While Pizzey opened the shelter with the initial idea of serving women, she soon realized that other victims also needed attention, respect, and services, including the elderly, the disabled, men, and boys. She also realized that domestic violence can be initiated by both women and men.
“Regrettably, a number of feminist leaders felt threatened if they were to have considered victims being anyone else other than women or perpetrators being anyone else other than men,” said Greene. “So Pizzey would have been ostracized by those leaders. I understand she was tenacious, which gave her motivation to open the initial shelter. She insisted that all victims be recognized, and all perpetrators are held to the same standard.”
Stop Abuse For Everyone is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, nonprofit educational organization. Through our educational, media, and training programs, we inform the public about solutions to domestic violence, dating violence, bullying, sibling abuse, and elder abuse.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 10, 2022
Contact: Dianna Thompson
(202) 531-9330
director@stopabuseforeveryone.org
TITLE IX LIVE A CONVERSATION WITH SUZANNE GOLDBERG, DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR STRATEGIC OPERATIONS AND OUTREACH AND FORMER ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
The Biden Administration has announced its intention to revise the Title IX regulation governing sexual harassment and sexual assault. Striking a fair balance between accuser and accused is essential since there have been hundreds of lawsuits alleging that schools violated the rights of students.
On January 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time, join moderator Hampton Conway III and Stop Abuse for Everyone (SAFE) as we welcome Suzanne Goldberg, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategic Operations and Outreach and Former Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, for an educational discussion followed by a Q&A regarding the upcoming notice of public rulemaking (NPRM) to amend the current Title IX regulation.
The Title IX regulation governing sexual harassment and sexual assault in education programs has been under review by the Biden Administration, and the most recent estimate is that the public comment period for the proposed revisions to the regulation will begin in April 2022. Suzanne Goldberg will describe the regulatory review process, explain how interested parties can participate in the public comment period, and take questions from attendees.
The “Dear Colleague” guidance of the Obama Administration was replaced by a regulation developed under the Trump Administration. The Biden Administration is now developing proposed changes to the regulation. The new regulation will have important consequences for schools and for both accuser and accused students in determining the process by which allegations are resolved. SAFE is sponsoring this event for the purpose of educating the public about the administrative process for the creation of any amendments to the current Title IX regulation. SAFE encourages everyone to take this opportunity to learn about and participate in the administrative process.
This is a free virtual event. Registration is required at Eventbrite https://bit.ly/3zyyaRX
Stop Abuse For Everyone is a 501(c)(3), tax-exempt, nonprofit educational organization. Through our educational, media, and training programs, we inform the public about solutions to domestic violence, dating violence, bullying, sibling abuse, and elder abuse. SAFE offers information, resources, educational brochures, videos, articles, media campaigns, advocacy programs, and a Speakers Bureau.
If you are interested in covering this event please contact Dianna Thompson at 202-531-9330. For more information on SAFE visit our website at www.stopabuseforeveryone.org
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Passed in 1972, Title IX is a law enacted to ensure the following: “No person in the United States shall, based on sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.”
Rather than follow the rulemaking procedure under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), in April 2011, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) released a “Dear Colleague Letter” (DCL) stating OCR’s view of the obligations of school districts (K-12), colleges, and universities, in their implementation of Title IX, to provide all students with an education environment free from discrimination. This “significant guidance document” stated that acts of sexual assault are a form of sexual harassment and, as such, are a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX and enforceable by schools. In addition, the DCL detailed OCR’s view of the specific requirements of how colleges and universities receiving federal funds must respond to allegations of sexual assault. In 2014, OCR released a Q&A on Title IX and Sexual Violence to offer additional views of OCR on schools’ obligations.
In the years following the release of the 2011 DCL, many hundreds of lawsuits (possibly over 1000) were filed against colleges and universities by students claiming the processes used by their schools to respond to and adjudicate cases of sexual assault were unfair and lacked due process protections for both the accuser and accused parties.
In September 2017, OCR rescinded the 2011 DCL and related 2014 Q&A and announced plans to release a new regulation in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). In November 2018, as required under the APA, OCR published in the Federal Register a proposed Title IX regulation to replace the rescinded documents and formally invited the public to comment via a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).
By January 2019, when OCR closed the 60-day public comment period, it had received over 120,000 public comments. After considering the numerous public comments, OCR finalized the new regulation in May 2020, and on August 14, 2020, the new Title IX regulation went into effect. The new regulation substantially enhanced due process protections for accuser and accused parties. Five separate litigations attacked the new regulation, but except for one subparagraph in the regulation, all of the regulation remains in place and in force.
On March 8, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order (EO) directing OCR to review the existing regulations. The position of the Biden Administration is that the existing regulation unfairly favors accused students. OCR announced in April 2021 an immediate action to carry out the requirements of the EO, including a comprehensive review of the Title IX regulation.
Unlike the informal guidance letters issued in 2011 and 2014, the 2020 regulation went through a formal rulemaking process, which disallows simple rescission of the existing regulation by the Biden Administration. To begin the comprehensive review in anticipation of amendments to the current regulation, OCR held a virtual public hearing from June 7 to June 11, 2021 to gather information for improving enforcement of Title IX. A transcript of these public comments was released in July 2021.
In accordance with the APA, on December 10, 2021, the Department of Education issued a statement that the Department anticipates proposing amendments to the Title IX regulation with an NPRM by April 2022 to give the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments.
The Title IX regulation governs all school districts (K-12), colleges, and universities that receive Federal funding. The regulation includes many definitions such as what constitutes sexual harassment, what defines a school’s education program or activity, and how a school must respond to reports of sexual harassment. Step-by-step policies and procedures mandate the resolution process of both formal and informal complaints.
There is fierce debate regarding the definition of sexual harassment, how schools should respond to complaints of sexual harassment that occur outside of their education program or activity, and what procedures should be mandated to allow for a fair resolution with due process protections for all parties involved in allegations of sexual harassment. Hundreds of court decisions have now addressed concerns about whether schools have been providing fair procedures and any new regulation will need to conform to the standards set by the courts. Trial courts and Courts of Appeal throughout the nation have opined on their interpretation on the Title IX regulation and related requirements for schools.
The NPRM allows individuals to voice concerns and to propose improvements to the draft that OCR will circulate. You can learn more about how to participate in the administrative process by joining our conversation with Suzanne Goldberg on Wednesday, January 19, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
The Administrative Procedure Act (APA): Enacted June 11, 1946, the APA governs how administrative agencies of the United States federal government may propose and establish regulations and grants.
The Federal Register: The official journal of the United States federal government that contains government agency rules, proposed rules, and public notices.
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM): A public notice issued by law when an independent agency of the U.S. government wishes to add, remove, or change a rule or regulation as part of the rulemaking process. The notice is an integral part of U.S. administrative law, which facilitates government by typically creating a process of taking of public comment.
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR): An administrative agency within the U.S. Department of Education (ED). In May 1980, the ED began oversight of Title IX through OCR.
“… Not a lot of people know this about shelters, according to Dianna Thompson, SAFE Executive Director:
“It is shocking that you’re pretty much out in the cold if you have a son,” Thompson said. “How is that helpful? And that boy is a victim, too — he’s been witnessing the violence. You’re excluding someone just because he is male? It’s wrong.”
Thompson has received letters from female domestic-violence victims who haven’t been able to escape from their abuser because they have a son who is not welcome in a shelter. …”
On Thursday, October 27, 2016, Elizabeth Crawford was a keynote speaker at Missouri State University for the Stop the Violence Conference. Attendees were given a presentation by Crawford in order to bring attention and awareness to the effects of domestic violence on the African-American community. Her speech, titled “Trauma and Domestic Violence in the African American Community,” not only had a powerful impact on the audience, but also brought more attention to a topic oftentimes ignored and overlooked.
Thank you, Elizabeth Crawford, for your wonderful presentation!
Join us for a FREE conference sponsored by Verizon Wireless, BKD,LLP, and Missouri State Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Missouri State University, Plaster Student Union with special keynotes from Susan Still and Elizabeth Crawford. The Stop the Violence Conference is a community call to action to stop intimate partner violence. Attendees will have a choice of various breakout sessions regarding intimate partner violence including breakouts on human trafficking and bystander intervention. The “Stop the Violence” conference is coordinated by the Family Violence Task Force, led by Community Partnership of the Ozarks’ Violence Free Families Coalition, which has brought together many community organizations and agencies.
Conference Schedule
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Breakfast and Registration
8:30 AM – 8:45 AM
Welcome
8:45 AM – 10:00 AM
Keynote Speaker
“Sharing My Story” presented by Susan Still
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
Breakout Session 1
“Family Justice Center: the I-Phone 7 of the Justice System” presented by Suzan Stewart
“Green Dot Strategy: A Community & College Collaboration on Bystander Intervention” presented by Jenay Lamey
“Human Trafficking” presented by Dr. Rachael Herrington
“Safety Planning” presented by The Victim Center
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
Lunch in the Plaster Student Union (On Your Own)
12:15 PM – 1:30 PM
Local Community Panel moderated by Sara Forhetz
1:45PM – 2:45 PM
Breakout Session 2
“Family Justice Center: the I-Phone 7 of the Justice System” presented by Suzan Stewart
“Green Dot Strategy: A Community & College Collaboration on Bystander Intervention” presented by Jenay Lamey
“Human Trafficking” presented by Dr. Rachael Herrington
“Safety Planning” presented by The Victim Center
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Closing Keynote
“It Takes A Community to Combat Child Abuse, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault” presented by Elizabeth Crawford — SAFE Speaker’s Bureau
SAFE RELEASES THEIR FIRST VIDEO “TILL DEATH DO US PART” TO INCREASE AWARENESS OF UNDERSERVED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
Stop Abuse For Everyone (SAFE) just released a video to shed light on underserved domestic violence victims. SAFE’s video focuses on domestic violence against men that often doesn’t receive the attention it deserves. Click here to watch the full video.
The number of male domestic abuse victims is shockingly high, rarely talked about, and few services are available for men. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released data from its National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey – and one of the most shocking statistics aside from the amount of victims was the breakdown by gender. Also, from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “…5.3 million men a year experience physical violence from an intimate partner. …”
SAFE is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt, non-profit organization that provides unique services for domestic violence victims and helps underserved victims. SAFE believes that if you are in an abusive relationship, services should be available to you regardless of gender, sexuality, or age. Through our educational, media, and training programs we inform the public on what to do if you become a victim. SAFE offers information, resources, educational brochures, videos, articles, media campaigns, advocacy programs, as well as, a Speakers Bureau covering a wide array of topics; Dating Violence, Sibling Abuse, Elderly Abuse, Bullying, LGBT Abuse, and Domestic Violence against Men.
SAFE’s Speakers Bureau is organized to present accurate, balanced, and objective information about domestic violence with a focus on underserved groups. SAFE works to ensure that abusers will be held accountable for their actions and that services will be available for all domestic violence victims, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, or ethnicity.
Often domestic violence victims needing help and assistance have nowhere to turn because shelters are not available to them. SAFE provides an online National Directory of Shelters and Services for those who typically fall between the cracks of domestic violence services.
Our Graphic Arts intern created a new SAFE flyer to highlight our mission and goals. We are very excited to report that our flyer was featured at the 2016’s International Conference on Men’s Issues in the United Kingdom. Our organization views domestic violence as a human rights issue. It should not matter if you are male or female – services should be available to you.
SAFE will provide a PDF of our new flyer on our website so that you too can spread the word that there should be services for all victims and accountability for all perpetrators. We are working to stop abuse for everyone. We need your help!
The interns for Stop Abuse For Everyone held a fundraising night at John’s Incredible Pizza on Friday, July 9, 2016. The goal of the fundraiser was to raise money to fund SAFE’s upcoming Public Service Announcement video. Our PSA highlights domestic violence against males and how society tends to overlook them as being victims of abuse. The fundraising night was a huge success with over 200 people who came out to support SAFE.
During the fundraiser, the interns informed members and fellow advocates about SAFE’s mission and how the community can help make a difference.Our interns found many new supporters that were more than willing to help our organization after they heard about our cause and the measures we are taking to bring awareness to male domestic violence victims.
It was a pleasant experience for our interns to engage with the community and educate them further on human rights issues. On behalf of SAFE, we would like to thank everyone who came out to this event and supported our organization.
Stop Abuse for Everyone’s 2016 interns attended the Summit on Community Resilience, Intervention, Prevention, and Training (SCRIPT) – conference. The conference focuses on how to stop the stigma of male domestic violence. The interns attended meetings that discuss how to end violence around communities, as well as the LGBTQ community. Types of violence could include: gang, retaliatory, domestic, post-traumatic stress, interpersonal (using violence to solve a dispute), black and brown, and emotional. The speakers and the audience then explored ways to battle these different forms of violence, such as getting involved with your community through volunteering and mentorship, love the community that you serve, and share any helpful information with your community. Physical fitness and showing compassion can also help mend a broken community.
Stanley Green, a male victim of domestic violence and member of SAFE’s Speaker Bureau, and Carol Crabson, the CEO of Valley Oasis’ male domestic violence shelter, showed a presentation on male domestic violence and identified the what signs to look for. The picture to the right is of Stanley and Carol. The audience received resources on intimate partner violence, which are available to individuals who did not attend the conference as well. This was a fantastic conference that opened the minds of our interns and cleared any assumptions about domestic violence.
