What’s New | JDI

Hema Sarang-Sieminski Named Next Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc.

jdi-admin — Wed, 31 Jul 2024 13:43:19 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Harry Shipps, harry@ninetywest.com

Hema Sarang-Sieminski Named Next Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc.

Boston, July 31 – Today, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, announced that Hema (Hay-muh) Sarang-Sieminski will become the organization’s next Executive Director. Sarang-Sieminski will replace current Executive Director Debra Robbin, who announced earlier this year that she would be transitioning out of the role this coming fall.

“Since she joined JDI in 2020, Hema has brought invaluable insight, compassion, and energy to the work of supporting survivors and strengthening JDI as an organization,” said Dawn Sauma, Chair of the JDI Board of Directors. “We could not be more excited for Hema to step into the role of Executive Director. Debra Robbin leaves an incredible legacy after more than two decades at JDI, and no one is better suited than Hema to carry forward JDI’s essential efforts on behalf of survivors, our Coalition members, and communities across the Commonwealth. As a Board, we look forward to working alongside Hema in this new role to support the JDI team, our member programs and partners, and to build on JDI’s position as a leading state SA/DV coalition nationwide.”

“I am honored and elated to step into the role of Executive Director of JDI,” said Sarang-Sieminski. “Together, the vibrant team at JDI, our member programs, and partners are invested in the life-changing work of supporting survivors and transforming our communities every day. I’m excited to bring the sum of my experience and expertise, derived from our collective wisdom, to help lead this organization forward. My deepest gratitude to Debra Robbin for her guidance and friendship over the past four-plus years, and to every member of the JDI team, who are constantly pushing to make JDI even bolder, more inclusive, and more effective on behalf of survivors across Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing to do this work in partnership with everyone in the JDI community, and to embodying JDI’s commitment to be an organization led by survivors and focused on equity, justice, and wholeness for all.”

Prior to joining JDI, Sarang-Sieminski was a Senior Attorney at the Victim Rights Law Center, where they provided local and national training and technical assistance to enhance access to civil legal services for sexual assault survivors, as well as direct legal representation to immigrant and LGBTQ survivor communities. She has worked with survivors of partner abuse and sexual violence for well over 20 years in various roles, including private immigration practice, community engagement in LGBTQ communities with The Network/La Red, and as a Staff Attorney at the Immigration Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services.

Sarang-Sieminski will officially assume the role of Executive Director on September 16.

ABOUT JDI

JDI (Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence) is the only statewide membership and advocacy coalition in Massachusetts dedicated to addressing sexual and domestic violence. We aim to support survivors and end violence by promoting gender equity, racial justice, and safety for everyone. JDI’s mission is to complement and support the expertise and leadership of our 60 community-based member organizations with a statewide strategy involving public and private partners to tackle systemic issues that foster and perpetuate violence, to create policies and explore innovative solutions that improve the lives of survivors, and to prevent gender-based violence. To learn more visit https://janedoe.org.

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Jane Doe Inc. Statement on the Senate Passage of An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation

jdi-admin — Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:31:44 +0000

Contact: Katherine Sele, katherine@ninetywest.com

Jane Doe Inc. Statement on the Senate Passage of An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation

Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, released the following statement after the Massachusetts State Senate voted to pass S.2703, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation:

“Thank you to the Massachusetts Senate for unanimously passing S.2703, An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation. Alongside survivors and advocates, Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, has pushed for passage of this essential legislation, which will advance critical protections for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence across the Commonwealth, including stronger protections against image-based sexual assault – sometimes referred to as “revenge porn” – and coercive control, a pattern of deliberate behavior by an abuser that substantially restricts another person’s safety and autonomy.

This legislation will bring Massachusetts into line with 48 other states that have current protections against image-based sexual assault, and will ensure that state law better reflects the full spectrum of sexual and domestic violence. We are grateful to Senator Michael Moore, Senator Cynthia Creem, and Senator Paul Mark for their work on this legislation, and to every member of the Senate who voted in favor. We are hopeful that there will be a swift resolution from the conference committee, and that the legislation will move to Governor Healey’s desk without delay.”

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ABOUT JDI

PRESS RELEASE: Jane Doe Inc. Leads 2024 Advocacy Day on Beacon Hill to Support Key Legislative and Budget Priorities

jdi-admin — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 17:39:15 +0000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jane Doe Inc. Leads 2024 Advocacy Day on Beacon Hill to Support Key Legislative and Budget Priorities

Along with survivors, advocates, and legislators, JDI called for critical policy action to support survivors and prevent violence

Boston, MA – On Friday, March 15, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, was joined by more than 300 people for its 2024 Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. JDI coalition members, survivors, advocates, and partners from across Massachusetts came out in full force for the first in-person Advocacy Day since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The day kicked off with a speaking program in the Great Hall, before attendees participated in smaller group meetings with legislators and staff to discuss key priorities, including:

Vital funding in the FY2025 state budget, including fully funding the $60 million request for the VOCA Bridge, to mitigate impending cuts to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and maintain essential services;
H.4241: An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation – which adds essential protections for survivors, including against image-based sexual assault and coercive control;
H.1399/S.1079: An Act Relative to Controlling and Abusive Litigation – which will help prevent individuals from using the legal system to harm and control others;
S.1979: An Act Establishing a Prison and Jail Construction Moratorium – which would pause the construction of new prisons and jails in Massachusetts in order to shift spending priorities to community investments;
H.3084/S.1990: Language Access and Inclusion Act – which would require state agencies to meet language access, including for survivors; and,
H.544/S.268: Healthy Youth Act – which would ensure age-appropriate, medically-accurate sex and relationship education critical to preventing future sexual and domestic violence.

State Representatives Natalie Blais and Michael Day and State Senator Robyn Kennedy spoke with attendees about the important bills before the legislature, and to express their support for survivors and those in attendance.

“Today, your stories are reverberating in this Great Hall and echoing throughout the hallways of this building,” said Representative Blais. “Your efforts are making a difference in impacting lives across the Commonwealth as we strive to end violence for everyone.”

Senator Kennedy shared a similar sentiment, saying “Legislation is moving here because your voice matters. Because you’re speaking up, you’re representing the survivors across our Commonwealth, who need to make sure our laws are changing [and] improving to protect them.”

Representative Day added “The work that you all do educating us on what survivor-centric and what trauma-informed truly means has made the difference in what we’ve been able to accomplish and what we’re going to accomplish here in the legislature moving forward.”

JDI Executive Director Debra Robbin spoke to the tangible impact of collective advocacy on ensuring that available resources more fully reflect the needs of survivors and direct service organizations. “It’s important to understand how much our advocacy means and how successful we have been at collectively raising the funding that supports services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” she said. “Just for perspective, 10 years ago, we asked for about $31 million for survivor services. And now, in 2025, we are asking for $67 million. We have more than doubled funding in 10 years.”

JDI is incredibly thankful to all of those who attended to share their stories and raise their voice in support of critical policies that will strengthen services, uplift survivors voices, invest in communities, and advance life-saving protections for those experiencing sexual assault and domestic violence. We look forward to continuing the work alongside survivors, advocates, and policymakers to ensure this legislation succeeds.

Attendees of JDI’s 2024 Advocacy Day gathered on the Grand Staircase in the State House. Photo Courtesy of Stefanie Belnavis, @thediahannproject

Hema Sarang Sieminski, JDI Deputy Director, Ren Liu, JDI Communications and Outreach Manager, Nithya Badrinath, JDI Associate Director of Policy and Advocacy, and Debra Robbin, JDI Executive Director, pose for a photo in the State House. Photo Courtesy of Stefanie Belnavis, @thediahannproject

Advocates in conversation with Hema Sarang Sieminski, JDI Deputy Director, at JDI’s 2024 Advocacy Day in the State House. Photo Courtesy of Stefanie Belnavis, @thediahannproject

Advocates pose ahead of connecting with legislators at the State House during JDI’s 2024 Advocacy Day. Photo Courtesy of Stefanie Belnavis, @thediahannproject

ABOUT JDI

Jane Doe Inc. Statement on the Senate Passage of the Healthy Youth Act

jdi-admin — Thu, 29 Feb 2024 17:29:24 +0000

Contact: Katherine Sele, katherine@ninetywest.com

Jane Doe Inc. Statement on the Senate Passage of the Healthy Youth Act

Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, applauds the Massachusetts Senate for once again passing S.268, An Act Relative to Healthy Youth. It’s now incumbent on the House of Representatives to step up and pass this vitally important legislation without delay.

This bill – which the Senate has passed in several previous sessions – would strengthen age-appropriate, LGBTQ+ inclusive, medically-accurate sex and relationship education for young people across Massachusetts, including guidance on how to identify and have healthy, respectful relationships free of abusive behavior. Young people are increasingly facing many different forms of violence, including coercive control and image-based sexual assault (often called “revenge porn”), and more robust education and support is essential to preventing additional harm.

Across the Commonwealth, far too many school committees are considering regressive measures that would deny young people access to necessary, health-giving, life-saving information about healthy relationships and sexuality. These discussions send a message to young people – especially to vulnerable young people at the margins – that their existence is not welcome in their communities. The Healthy Youth Act gives Massachusetts the opportunity to center diverse experiences and make clear that the safety, wellbeing, and education of ALL students is paramount.

We are grateful to State Senator Sal DiDomenico and all the Senators who co-sponsored and voted for this legislation. We urge the House of Representatives to join their colleagues in the Senate and pass this important bill, so that every young person in the Commonwealth can benefit from comprehensive, inclusive sex and relationship education and live free from violence.

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ABOUT JDI

Bridging Reproductive Justice & Anti-Violence Movements

jdi-admin — Mon, 17 Oct 2022 13:54:24 +0000

Jane Doe Inc is excited to partner with the Vermont Network to invite you all to “Bridging Reproductive Justice & Anti-Violence Movements: Community, Care, Action.” The summit will take place on October 26, 2022 from 10am to 4pm. The summit will feature a morning conversation between The SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective and Girls for Gender Equity to understand the deep connections between the movements to end Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Justice. In the afternoon, community members in Vermont and Massachusetts will participate in state-specific community building sessions to envision our future collaborations.

In collaboration with local and national reproductive justice organizers, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI) and The Vermont Network, two state coalitions addressing sexual and domestic violence, are hosting Bridging Reproductive Justice & Anti-Violence Movements: Community, Care, Action. We are inspired by the momentum of so many community efforts that insist on uplifting and honoring bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom, and community safety despite the recent Dobbs decision.

We invite those impacted by reproductive justice and anti-violence movements across the country to attend our morning conversation between The SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective and Girls for Gender Equity to understand the deep connections between the movements to end Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Justice. In the afternoon, we invite our community members in Vermont and Massachusetts to participate in state-specific community building sessions to envision our future collaborations.

During this summit, we will:

· More fully integrate antiviolence advocacy with reproductive justice efforts

· Support the reclaiming of bodily autonomy, consent, choice, and reproductive freedom

· Examine racism as it pertains to reproductive freedom and antiviolence advocacy

· Build meaningful collaboration with local grassroots Reproductive Justice & Anti-Sexual/Domestic Violence changemakers

· Cultivate and land in a place of hope and solidarity

Spring Into Action 2022 raises $149K for JDI

jdi-admin — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 19:18:48 +0000

JDI’s Spring into Action Breakfast
Held In-Person After Two Years

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, JDI members, community leaders, committed sponsors, and friends came together in person and virtually in support of JDI’s work to end sexual assault and domestic violence and to celebrate 2022 Justice in Action awardees – the Honorable Rachael Rollins and The Massachusetts Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment, led by Executive Director Alayna Van Tassel.

Held at the Boston College Club in downtown Boston, this year’s breakfast was extra special because it was the first time in two years that we were able to gather in person after engaging with one another via small screens and chat boxes. This year’s breakfast raised just under $150,000 – a testament to the commitment of our wonderful sponsors, the generosity of individual supporters, and the hard work of the Spring into Action Host Committee! We thank everyone for their continual support and generosity.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTO GALLERY HERE; VIDEO LINK BELOW: https://janedoeinc.smugmug.com/Spring-Into-Action-2022

The breakfast event began with remarks by Denella Clark and Maria Harris, Co-Chairs of this year’s Spring into Action. Following the Land Acknowledgement, attendees were treated to a performance of “A Painting of Peace” by Caleb McCoy, a Bostonian rapper, musician and producer who has branded his style as OAK music. OAK stands for One of a Kind – and Caleb lives up to that moniker! As Caleb has said: “Honesty is a beautiful thing, and even more beautiful when put to dope beats and smooth melodies.” Caleb also closed the morning with “Be a Man,” a piece that JDI commissioned for the 15th anniversary Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign.

The highlight of the breakfast was the heartfelt and personal conversation among Rachael (as she insisted we call her!), Alayna, Denella and Maria. Getting beyond their resumes, the awardees shared what they considered their greatest accomplishments and what keeps them motivated.

“When Treasurer Goldberg established OEE seven years ago it was the first of its kind in the country and has become a national model. Treasurer Goldberg had a vision to bring economic empowerment to this state. I am incredibly proud to be part of a team making sure that all Massachusetts residents have access to the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions throughout their lives.” ~ Alayna Van Tassel

Alayna also gave a shout out to JDI’s Director of Membership and Programs for the partnership with OEE on addressing the economic and financial issues faced by survivors. “Any bankers in the room? Please get this training! It was so eye-opening. This training is so important to recognize when survivors are looking for safe places, there’s a role that banks can play.”

US Attorney Rollins shared the positive results of her data and community driven approaches to divert resources from overcriminalization of lesser crimes to focus instead on more serious crimes and seek alternative approaches to accountability.

“We are smart on crime. [When I joined the Suffolk DA’s office, I decided to] flip the presumption from always prosecuting to instead…push them into a city, state or federal service because close to 80% suffer from mental health disorder, are in crisis, have a substance abuse disorder or have food or housing insecurity…. This is the last face you want to see if you commit a violent serious crime. I promise you because this face looks you dead in the face and says to you and your family, I know you are more than this moment, but in this moment, you will be held accountable.” ~ Rachael Rollins

Rollins also shared an anecdote that speaks to her commitment to flip the conversation and assumptions about crime, victimhood, and accountability. “One of the first things that happened under my leadership as DA was when Jassy Correia was kidnapped and murdered in 2019. At the press conference, I said, ‘You know what we aren’t going to do? We aren’t going to talk about what Jassy was wearing or her friends. We are going to tell men to stop raping and kidnapping and murdering us and to start speaking to other men about violence. This is an issue for everyone.”

Being all about engagement, Denella invited the audience to ask a question of the honorees. Host Committee member Arcadia Ewell, Miss Blackstone Valley, drew on her background as a PhD Student at Boston University where she is studying Developmental Science to ask about how a scientist can help contribute to some of those mentality shifts and focus on evidence-based approaches to violence crime that Rollins described.

Rollins responded, “We need you – we need scientists, psychologists, and others to help us stay current and bring an additional level of inquiry that allows us to consider brain development, impact of trauma. Reach out and offer information and resources. Don’t be afraid to jump in!”

That is a message for all of us!

Whether it’s being an active bystander, getting involved in civic issues, using our expertise and experience to address social concerns, or finding ways to support the mission of JDI, we all have a role to play! You are part of the movement and your contributions – here today, in your personal lives and professional settings – will make a difference!

Want to get inspired? Watch the breakfast program!

Want to help make sure JDI continues to have the resources it needs?

Please consider making a one-time gift or become a sustaining donor through JDI’s Grand Circle of Giving. Log on to bit.ly/JDIgrandcircle.

No donation is too small. We offer special programming for these donors throughout the year. Whether you give $50 a month or, as we figured out, an annual donation of $1000 comes to $83.33 a month, your support will mean that JDI can pivot when new challenges arise, can take a chance on innovative approaches, and can continue to be a bold leader for Massachusetts.

Thank you for your generosity for this year’s breakfast and always. We can’t wait to continue this vital work in partnership with all of you!

To learn about more ways that you can support JDI, please contact: Toni Troop, JDI’s Director of Communications and Development at 617-557-1807 or ttroop@janedoe.org

15th Anniversary of White Ribbon Day Campaign

jdi-admin — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 23:28:14 +0000

That’s right! It’s the 15th anniversary of the Massachusetts White Ribbon Day Campaign founded by Jane Doe Inc.

Please join us for a celebration of Ambassadors and Affiliates who have kept at it for the past 15 years.

When: Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 5:30pm – 7:00pm EST
Register with this link to join us by zoom: bit.ly/MAWRD15
Or engage and watch through Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/JaneDoeIncCoalition/

Other ways you can help mark this anniversary:

Check out the calendar of WRD events in Massachusetts: janedoe.org/events.

Download the #ReimagineManhood Action and Discussion Guide and White Ribbon Day Toolkit and host a conversation with your network, students, and workplace: https://www.janedoe.org/whiteribbonday/

Invite your friends and colleagues to join you on March 10 and find out how they can get involved in promoting gender equity, racial justice, healthy masculinities and safety for all.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us.

Mini Grants Make Huge Impact

jdi-admin — Wed, 27 Oct 2021 20:47:13 +0000

JDI awarded the 2021 Economic Empowerment grants totaling $10,000 to 10 sexual and domestic violence programs on behalf of 11 survivors from across the Commonwealth. The grants reflect the resilience, creativity, and dedication of survivors. Scroll down to read their stories.

Since 2012, JDI has distributed 106 grants totaling $89,533 in Massachusetts to demonstrate how a small investment of cash can result in enormous positive change in the lives of survivors and their families. Funding for these grants was made possible with support from The Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse program.

WHY IT MATTERS: Victims of sexual and domestic violence experience many hardships when it comes to economic stability and independence. A frequent aspect of domestic violence occurs in the form of financial abuse, which can result in ruined credit scores, an inability to pay for training and education, and limited experience managing finances. Additionally, survivors who experience sexual assault or stalking while in high school and college are more likely to drop out and have difficulty completing coursework, disrupting their educational plans and impacting their long-term earning potential. With such formidable barriers in place, it is paramount for survivors to have access to resources and support in order to establish financial stability and gain autonomy over their decisions, careers, and passions — economically and otherwise.

“Buenos dias. Quiero compartir con todos mi felicidad ya que pude obtener este gran premio que me va ayudar alcanzar parte de mis metas. Gracias a todos los que hicieron esto posible.” – Survivor

“Thank you for the opportunity to become an EMT. I hope to complete my certification in the next few months. I am particularly excited to help women and children utilizing my new skills. As a survivor of abuse, I hope to share information about trauma and survivor needs with my fellow first responders. I am eager to gain financial stability and more independence and I am excited to do all that while doing something I enjoy.” – Survivor

GET INSPIRED: Debra J. Robbin, Jane Doe Inc.’s Executive Director, said, “We have been inspired by the ways in which these modest grants have enabled so many survivors of sexual and domestic violence to advance their goals and dreams.  These funds have fostered economic independence in the areas of education, healthcare, therapy, and entrepreneurship, and we are thrilled to support the resilience of survivors.”

Through providing survivors these grants, Jane Doe Inc. and The Allstate Foundation’s Purple Purse program make an investment in survivors’ futures and provide them with another tool to aid in the meaningful transition to independence and empowerment. 

Mary McDermott of the Allstate Insurance Company noted, “We are proud to partner with Jane Doe Inc. to support them and their member programs who provide financial education, job-training and work-readiness programs for survivors of sexual and domestic violence in Massachusetts.”

GRANT RECIPIENTS:

Please note that unless the survivor wished otherwise, JDI has opted to use the singular pronoun “they” in order to protect the identity of the survivor, not because the survivor uses a gender-neutral pronoun. Click on the image below to open full size.

Smells Like Success

After having to flee for the safety of their child and themself, this survivor was unable to continue to run their business of selling scented candles on Etsy. However, with this grant, they can purchase a laptop as well as materials for their candles and resources for the shop. Now, they will be able to reopen their business and promote their candles again, providing economic stability for them and their child.

The Masterful Medic

Even after immigrating to the US to escape an abusive relationship, this survivor and their child still experienced violence from their abuser. Now living in a shelter to feel safe from their abuser, this survivor will use this grant to take English classes and use their medical degree from their home country to eventually work in the medical field. This boost, combined with their perseverance, will help this survivor find a life of independence and stability for both themself and their children.

Healing Together

Having suffered from domestic violence, this survivor hopes to create a safe space for other survivors in the form of a studio for health coaching, trauma-informed yoga teaching, and reiki healings. With support from this grant to fund their training and certification classes, this survivor is blazing their own path and using their voice to help other survivors as well as support themself and their three young children.

Learning to Help

After immigrating to the US with a college degree in social work and experience as a social worker, this survivor experienced an abusive relationship. After obtaining a restraining order against their abuser and custody of their child, they went out in search of job opportunities. To become a licensed social worker in the US, this survivor will use the grant to take summer courses and improve their English, giving them the opportunity to find economic stability for them and their child.

Tech Check

Having escaped domestic violence and immigrating to the US with their parent and sibling last year, this survivor is using the grant to purchase a personal laptop to use as they pursue higher education. After a year of remote learning, they found they were greatly in need of a personal computer, and now having it will assist them in their journey through college and into employment and financial independence.

Student, Worker, and Parent, Oh My!

A perseverant single parent, this survivor has a child in daycare, works 30 hours a week, and goes to school full-time. They are using this grant to cover the costs of their textbooks, and now with this support, they can finish school next year with a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services. With this degree, this survivor has great potential to get a higher paying job, which will help them support their family and continue on a path of financial stability.

Nailing it!

A hardworking parent of two, this survivor will use this grant to fund their training as an esthetician. This training, coupled with the survivor’s nail license and experience working at a nail salon, will give the survivor the opportunity they need to improve their family’s life and budget for their children’s future.

Paying it Forward

Though they’ve suffered from medical issues, this survivor has dreams of becoming a counselor for young adult transgender and genderqueer survivors, giving them support to express themselves and their identities to the fullest extent. With this grant, this resilient survivor can take courses to become accredited in professional skills to build community with clients. This boost will help this survivor to make crucial connections with others in the industry and eventually get hired for their dream job.

Crafting a New Future

With this survivor’s determination and flair for sewing and art, she hopes to create a craft business that can support her and her family better than her current low-paying job. She works late into the night making handbags, napkins, vases, and paintings that she hopes to sell at the local farmers’ market. With help from the grant to cover the costs of equipment and a table at the market, she hopes to build a strong reputation and grow her business, for which she is already developing a website

Responding to the Call

After working intermittently before and throughout the pandemic, this survivor hopes to find stability and independence. Using their experience as a certified, volunteer first responder along with an EMT certification course, they will have the opportunity to take shifts with an ambulance company until they have enough hours to start training as a paramedic. This grant will provide the funding needed for the EMT course as well as equipment and supplies for the course, ultimately allowing this survivor to advance their journey towards helping others in a stable job in emergency response

For more information about Jane Doe Inc.’s continued economic empowerment efforts, please visit: https://www.janedoe.org/economic-empowerment/

For more information about The Allstate Foundation’s work to help End Domestic Violence, visit: https://allstatefoundation.org/what-we-do/end-domestic-violence/

Spring Into Action Recap and Final Fundraising Stretch

jdi-admin — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:38:29 +0000

Spring Into Action 2021

JDI’s annual Spring Into Action breakfast honored Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark and Lovern Gordon for their leadership, activism, and collaboration to advance the rights of survivors and promote safety and justice for all.

Justice in Action Awardees Congresswoman Katherine Clark (top center), Assistant Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives, and Lovern Gordon (right of Clark), Founder and President of the Love Life Now Foundation, hold up their awards at JDI’s 2021 Spring Into Action breakfast on June 29th on Zoom.

On Tuesday, June 29th, JDI had the pleasure of honoring two local champions in the work to end and prevent gender-based violence, Lovern Gordon, Founder and President of the Love Life Now Foundation, and Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Assistant Speaker of the US House of Representatives, with the 2021 Justice In Action awards. Sponsors and individual donors helped raise over $100,000 to support JDI and get us closer to our goal.

The event’s emcees, Yadires Nova-Salcedo and Lee Pelton, made everyone feel right at home as we once again held the Spring Into Action breakfast virtually. The morning highlight was a conversation Lee and Yadires led with Clark and Gordon. The awardees shared what inspires them in their work and their vision for the future of the movement.

Sad you missed the conversation? Check out the full recording of the breakfast below!

Make your donation today!

Help JDI reach its goal of raising $120,000 so we may continue the work to end sexual and domestic violence. Together, we can create a safer, more equitable world for all.

Give today!

Join the Grand Circle of Giving!

Become a sustainer today!

The awardees take part in conversation with the hosts

Yadires Nova-Salcedo smiles with her JDI mug

Guests enjoy the event and meet JDI board members

Monika Johnson Hostler pays tribute to JDI

Lee Pelton and Toni Troop thank guests for coming

For Congresswoman Katherine Clark, who serves as the Assistant Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, her career as a prosecutor led her to the anti-violence movement:

“For me, this work really started when I was a prosecutor out of law school and saw the corrosive effect of our criminal justice system on women and women of color, how women who were survivors were also criminalized in the system. I wanted to be part of not just the end when everything had gone wrong, but be part of prevention and education and putting justice back in our systems.”

While her previous work initially motivated her to pursue justice, Assistant Speaker Clark noted that it is the strength of survivors that inspires her and informs her work on the Hill every day.

During the Q&A portion of the event, Assistant Speaker Clark shares that survivors inspire her in the work she does daily.

Lovern Gordon, the Founder and President of the Love Life Now Foundation, shared a moving anecdote about the work she does with companies to raise awareness about the ways that domestic violence permeates the workplace. In one instance, after delivering a workshop, Lovern noted that around 70% of the organization’s workers approached her tearfully to thank her and disclose their own experiences with domestic violence, many of them for the first time.

“Every day doing this work is a humble day and a grateful day because I am on the other side with a voice that many still don’t have, and sometimes, I’m able to give permission to them [to speak about their experiences.] That, for me, is just out of this world.”

While the event took place on Zoom, guests cheered together to honor the two awardees for their leadership, dedication, and activism to advance the rights of survivors and promote safety and equity for all. The celebration continued when Yadires shared that the benefit exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in order to continue JDI’s work towards gender equity and racial justice.

Deborah Collins-Gousby, chair of the JDI Board of Directors, summarized JDI’s commitment to its work:

“Driven by an analysis of the intersections of oppression, the root causes of sexual and domestic violence, and the need for systemic change, JDI is a beacon of what is possible. making space to reflect on where and how the domestic violence field has and continues to uphold white supremacy culture demands focus, humility, and accountability. On behalf of the JDI Board of Directors, I want everyone to know that the Coalition is always guided by the voices of survivors, and that our commitment to be an anti-racist organization means that we will be diligent about making sure that all voices are included.”

Yadires added that while the event raised $102,675, the final goal is to raise $120,000 by July 30th, which means it is not too late to give!

Check out more of JDI’s work!

> 2021 White Ribbon Day Underway

> JDI Economic Empowerment Program Featured

> Sexual Assault Awareness Month Message

> Employment Protections for Survivors

> School Resource Officers, Racial Equity, and Decriminalizing Survivors

Thanks to the 2021 Spring Into Action Sponsors:

Donate

JDI’s policy and systems advocacy efforts on behalf of survivors. are a pillar of the Coalition’s work Your support allows us to sit at decision making tables, educate policy makers, and mobilize support for programs that provide life-saving work every single day.

Donate

Stay informed

SAAM 2021 Message

jdi-admin — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 04:25:00 +0000

Remarks by Debra J. Robbin, JDI’s Executive Director
April 21, 2021 at a SAAM Event hosted by Lt. Governor Karyn Polito

I am honored to be here today as the Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc (JDI), as an Advocate and as a survivor of sexual assault. I want to extend many thanks to you, Lt. Governor Polito, for your leadership and for hosting today’s event.
And to Secretary Sudders, thank you for your unwavering support of this work.

On this particular day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month in 2021, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the multiple pandemics of this moment in time: COVID, sexual violence and racial injustice.

They are all insidious and inextricably linked and they all lift up the parallel issues of why a public health and human rights approach that centers oppression and disparities is so important. It is only through our collective efforts and partnerships that we can even begin to make progress, focus on healing, and find new ways to address accountability and justice.

While April 2021 marks the 20th official anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, its roots run deep–from the civil rights movement to the founding of the first rape crisis center to critical state and federal legislation.

We have come a long way in this work: moving from awareness to prevention, understanding that the actions of those who commit sexual assault and cause harm are not about the stranger in the alley but more likely about the person we know in our families, our neighborhoods, our communities, our schools and our workplaces.

We also know that this work is founded on the amazing activism of survivors whose breadth of lived experiences informs and guides our work every day.

While this past year has both exposed all of the challenges and inequities, it has also given us opportunities to affirm what we already know:
• That sexual violence thrives on silence and isolation;
• That healing looks different for every person who is a survivor;
• That rape crisis centers are the hubs of expertise in their communities, and they are an essential resource as thought leaders, for survivors and their families and for moving the needle on changing the social norms that foster sexual violence in the first place.

And it is the advocates at rape crisis centers who I want to uplift today. During the past year, it has been their commitment, their innovation and their resilience that has made the difference for survivors.
From pivoting practically overnight to providing virtual services, to figuring out how to provide training, outreach and prevention programming in this new reality to addressing the myriad of ongoing and new insurmountable challenges facing survivors—it is the workforce of advocates—paid (but not enough) and unpaid—who have shown up time and time again for survivors.

From the advocate who created healing packages of arts and crafts and sent them to every support group member so that they could co-create healing arts together and virtually.

To the advocate who lives in rural Western MA and had to drive down a mountain to a parking lot in order to have the best cell phone coverage possible to answer hotline calls;

To the many advocates delivering food, medical supplies, PPE and children’s toys and supplies across the state in cities, towns and islands in order to ensure that their clients had what they needed to do more than survive.

And to the mobile healing van that Isa just described and the love and compassion that her staff and the staff of all rape crisis centers have had in being a lifeline to those in their communities who rely on their expertise, their assurances and their resilience.

Indeed, it takes all of us to create the safety net for survivors. Thank you to all who are here today and to the larger community for being part of that safety net.

Thank you.

We invite you to learn more about these various initiatives an how you can help prevent sexual violence.

Check out the resources and information about creating online safe spaces and more at: https://nsvrc.org/saam.
Watch JDI’s 5 Things with JDI every Wednesday at 11AM on JDI’s Facebook Page as we talk about advocacy and prevention: https://facebook.com/janedoeinccoalition.
If you or someone you know needs help, reach out to a sexual violence program. Visit https://janedoe.org/findhelp.
Participate in activities hosted by sexual violence programs across Massachusetts. Events listed on this calendar: https://www.janedoe.org/events/.

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Spring Into Action 2021

JDI’s annual Spring Into Action breakfast honored Assistant Speaker Katherine Clark and Lovern Gordon for their leadership, activism, and collaboration to advance the rights of survivors and promote safety and justice for all.

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The awardees take part in conversation with the hosts

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SAAM 2021 Message

JDI’s Spring into Action Breakfast
Held In-Person After Two Years