Help us thank our Maryland senators!

Call them today and thank them for supporting VAWA Reauthorization S.1925. Please offer a special thanks to Senator Mikulski for her leadership on funding issues. Contact information and tips on messaging are provided below.

Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), (202) 224-4654
Message for Senator Mikulski: Thank you for your leadership to help fund sexual assault programs including SASP, the Sexual Assault Services Program. SASP provides core funding for direct services to survivors. I also know you co-sponsored VAWA Re-authorization, S.1925, and I stand firmly behind this bill. Thank you for leading Maryland and the nation in helping to end violence against women.

Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD), (202) 224-4524
Message for Senator Cardin: Thank you for co-sponsoring S.1925, the VAWA reauthorization. I appreciate everything you do to help victims of violence against women, and I stand firmly behind this bill. I believe that VAWA truly helps to save lives.

The award highlights individuals throughout the country whose outstanding work is making a significant impact in their communities. Senator Forehand has been a steady and strong advocate for survivors of sexual violence throughout her tenure in Maryland’s General Assembly. As part of her work, she has helped to:

· Extend Maryland’s rape shield act to males and to child sexual abuse victims
· Criminalize human trafficking and involuntary servitude
· Make it a crime to secretly videotape individuals
· Require police to force internet service providers to remove child pornography
· Criminalize the intimidation of witnesses and victims
· Allow out-of-court testimony from school principals and vice principals, nurses, social workers, licensed professional counselors and therapists in cases involving physical and sexual child abuse

“MCASA is honored to recognize the contributions of Senator Jennie Forehand,” said Lisae C. Jordan, Esq., General Counsel for MCASA. “We have had the pleasure of working with her for years, and Senator Forehand is a true partner in efforts to end sexual violence in the State of Maryland.”

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

Darkness2Light-Stewards of Children Program

April 19, 2012
10am-1pm

Stewards of Children teaches adults how to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. The program is designed for individuals concerned about the safety of children as well as organizations that serve youth. Stewards of Children is the only nationally distributed program proven to increase knowledge, improve attitudes and change child protective behaviors.

The training will be delivered by Donna Leffew, MS, NCC, LCPC, Clinical Director at the Life Crisis Center in Salisbury, MD.

Attendees will leave with:

• An increased awareness of the prevalence, consequences and circumstances of child sexual abuse
• New skills to prevent, recognize and react responsibly to child sexual abuse
• Proactive, positive input to change organizational policies and procedures
• An individual commitment to action via a personal prevention plan

There is a $10 fee for the training manual/workbook which will be provided on-site.  This fee is transferable but is non-refundable.  The fee must be received in advance in order to be fully registered.  Space is limited, so register soon.

For more information on this training program or to register, please visit http://bit.ly/y4bIiI.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) has made available a new online resource on child sexual abuse on their website at http://www.mcasa.org/child-sexual-abuse/. The new resource, which MCASA hopes will help the public learn to recognize and take measures to prevent child sexual abuse in communities across Maryland, offers information on topics such as:

• Creating Safe Environments:  Working to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse

• Behaviors of Sexual Predators: Grooming

• Incidence of Child Sexual Abuse:  Focus on Maryland

• Early Warning Signs and Symptoms of Child Sexual Abuse

• Appropriate Responses to a Child Reporting Sexual Abuse & Available Resources

• Requirements for Reporting Child Sexual Abuse

“The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault is pleased to have developed these resources to help in the fight to end child sexual abuse in our state,” said Jennie Boden, MCASA’s Executive Director.“We estimate that there are more than 31,930 cases of child sexual abuse annually in the state of Maryland, with most of these survivors never seeking or receiving services. Clearly, we must begin expanding services to those in need, but it’s important to work toward preventing child sexual abuse, and we hope these resources will be helpful in that endeavor.”

CLICK HERE to visit MCASA’s Resources for Preventing and Addressing Child Sexual Abuse.

According to MCASA Executive Director, Jennie Boden, “Nearly 10 years later, we want to better understand the number of sexual assault patients seen, the specific responsibilities held by SAFE coordinators, program protocols and any obstacles faced by SAFE programs as they strive to provide care for sexual assault patients and assist the criminal justice process with thorough documentation and testimony. It is our hope that the survey findings will help SAFE coordinators, hospital administrators and others understand the special challenges of SAFE programs so that they can be strengthened to improve response to sexual assault in Maryland.”

Some of the findings from the 2011 SAFE survey include:

• Funding and training remain prime concerns for SAFE programs, both of which will improve the management and consistency across programs.  
• Victim advocates were present at less than half of the SAFE exams performed in 2010.
• Five additional SAFE programs have been created since the 2002 survey.
• Communication and cooperation levels between forensic nursing and law enforcement were ranked highly, whereas there were obstacles cited in the 2002 survey.

The results of the 2011 survey illustrate the need to address SAFE program funding, sustainability, training and protocol issues, all of which are interrelated. MCASA makes recommendations released around these focus areas in The State of the State, Sexual Assault Examiner Programs in Maryland.

CLICK HERE to download a PDF of the report.

The event hosted by SharperMinds Consultants, a nonprofit that offers support and opportunities to help sharpen Baltimore’s youngest minds, was held to raise funds to support their Annual Symposium on Dating & Domestic Violence and Interpersonal Relationships which aims to prevent dating violence and combat youth violence in Maryland through artistic and innovative learning for teenagers, adults, parents and professionals.

Kathy Ferguson is the program manager of MCASA’s Women of Color Network which recognizes that women of color are an under-served population in the area of sexual violence and strives to promote education, advocacy and leadership in communities in order to improve service delivery to victims.

Laura Neuman is the CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority and a MCASA Board member. Ms. Neuman founded the Laura Neuman Foundation to help other women get their cases reopened, actively investigated, and successfully resolved through the criminal justice system. Ms. Neuman, who is an outspoken survivor of sexual assault, believes that victims should speak out about their assaults in an effort to shed more light on this heinous crime.

Ann Quasman is the host of WomanTalk Live, a talk radio show that focuses on issues surrounding women today. In addition to serving on MCASA’s Board, Ms. Quasman is actively involved in bringing awareness to the issues that face women in their communities, such as sexual and domestic violence, as well as celebrating young women who are making a difference through Girls Gone Great.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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Baltimore City announced today the release of a detailed report which tracks the activities and progress of the City’s Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) during the course of the past year. The SART team, of which MCASA and MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI) are members, has been working cooperatively since July 2010 to address the City’s handling of rape and sexual assault cases following a Baltimore Sun investigation that revealed that Baltimore had the highest percentage of unfounded rape cases of any city in the country for the past four years.

The report, produced by MCASA, details the SART’s activities, including the work of an audit committee which reviewed 134 cases of rape and/or sexual assault that had been unfounded between January 2009 and August 2010.  In addition, a best practices committee was formed to conduct a review of national best practices, craft a SART mission statement and make recommendations for revisions to policies and procedures across all participating disciplines.  A number of key processes within the Baltimore Police Department and the State’s Attorney’s Office have been strengthened as a result of this process.

 The SART report reveals that a year later Baltimore City has seen:

A 68% increase in the number of reported rapes (as of May 31, 2011). Given that incidences of rape and sexual assault are vastly under-reported, this is positive as more of victims are reporting their assaults. (National studies show that only 36% of non-stranger and 55% of stranger assaults are reported to the police.)

The number of unfounded rape and attempted rape cases has decreased 93% (as of May 31, 2011) compared to the same period last year. As of May 31, 2011, 5 reports of rape were deemed unfounded.

Additionally, MCASA played a key role in developing a city-wide outreach campaign to help sexual assault victims.  MCASA’s communications manager served as campaign coordinator and copywriter, overseeing the development of the campaign.

The goal of the campaign is to promote the City’s helpline, a 24-hour hotline with a trained staff that connects rape victims with assistance and resources. The campaign includes advertising on city transit, a public service announcement from the Mayor that features the voices of sexual assault survivors from Baltimore City and a website, www.rapeisnotyourfault.com. The campaign was designed by a graduate student at the Maryland Institute College of Art and was also reviewed by a group of rape victims in the city for their thoughts and feedback.

The City’s rape helpline is available to take calls from victims of rape and sexual assault 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 443-279-0379. All calls are free and confidential.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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October 3, 2011

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) Partner to Develop New Resources on Stalking

Educational materials for the public and specialized trainings on stalking, technology and the law will be offered to professionals working to end violence against women in Maryland.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) and the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) today announced the availability of new resources to support communities and professionals in Maryland working with survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking

A new brochure, Stalking: A Guide for Victims, is being released today and is available free of charge through both organizations. The brochure provides an overview of stalking, its effects and, most importantly, what specific steps survivors of stalking can take to help safeguard their security. The brochure, which also includes statewide resources to support survivors, was developed jointly by MCASA and MNADV. You may view the brochure electronically here.

Additionally, the two organizations, along with MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute (SALI), are teaming up to provide a free two-hour training for professionals statewide, entitled Stalking: Laws and Technology. The trainings will be held on Friday, November 4, 2011 and Wednesday, January 25, 2012. Trainers include:

• Erin Boguski, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
• Amanda Cardone, Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Amy Johnson, Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
• Jessica Powers-Heaven, Esq., MCASA’s Sexual Assault Legal Institute

CLICK HERE for more information or to register for the November training session. To receive free copies of the brochure, please contact MCASA at 800-983-7278 or MNADV at 800-MD-HELPS.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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May 24, 2011

MCASA LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES

MCASA has launched an outreach campaign, Speak up. Speak out. that focuses on engaging bystanders in preventing sexual violence on college campuses statewide. “MCASA is proud to partner with the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to launch a college sexual violence prevention campaign in Maryland. Women between the ages of 18 to 24 are at the highest risk of being sexually assaulted, which is why we have decided to focus our efforts on a college-aged audience,” said MCASA Executive Director, Jennie Boden.

The campaign includes a website, www.speakup-speakout.org, which utilizes illustrations of sexual violence statistics specific to college campuses to encourage students to share this information on social networks such as Facebook and Twitter. The website also features personal accounts from college students who have experienced sexual violence, as well as information and resources on how students can become more involved in ending sexual violence on their campuses.

A series of brochures has also been produced to accompany the website. How You Can Help Prevent Sexual Violence on Campus, Healthy Relationships and How Guys Can Prevent Sexual Violence on Campus can be viewed on the prevention page and are available to schools statewide. To learn more about the campaign or to request copies of brochures email info at mcasa dot org or call 410-974-4507.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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January 12, 2011

MCASA ANNOUNCES 2011 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual violence, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public.  MCASA responds to policy questions and legislative initiatives throughout Maryland’s legislative session (January-April).

We expect our priority list will expand, but 2011 priorities currently include the following:

Support:

Funding for Services for Sexual Assault Survivors. Last session, the Department of Human Resources imposed a 31.5% cut to rape crisis programs.  The Governor’s Office of Crime Control & Prevention restored this funding for FY11.  One of MCASA’s top priorities is to maintain this funding and prevent loss of services for victims of child sexual abuse and sexual assault.

Victim-Centered Sex Crimes Law. Current law treats sex crimes involving penetration with a finger or fist less seriously than penetration with an object.  Victims experience penetration as penetration – the law should treat these acts with the same degree of seriousness.  Last session, this bill passed the Senate, but was not voted on in the Judiciary Committee.  Lead sponsors:  Delegate Kris Valderrama and Senator Jennie Forehand.

Human Trafficking. A bill will be reintroduced to provide for the forfeiture of assets derived from or used in connection with human trafficking activity.  Lead sponsors:  Delegate Kathleen Dumais and Senator Jamie Raskin.  Other bills may be introduced that will allow for wiretapping in human trafficking cases, and assure child victims receive services instead of being prosecuted for prostitution.

Hearsay in Child Sex Abuse Cases. MCASA is working with sex crimes prosecutors to amend Maryland’s statute regarding when juries can hear evidence of what a child said when she or he disclosed sexual abuse.

Evidence of Prior Acts of Child Sexual Abuse. MCASA is monitoring efforts to allow juries to consider a criminal defendants history of abusing other children.  We support efforts to introduce this evidence after a judge has reviewed it and determined there is “clear and convincing” evidence the defendant molested another child.  This higher standard balances a jury’s need for information with due process protections.

Statute of Limitation – 4^th degree Sexual Offense. A bill to expand the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of all types of 4^th degree sexual offense from one year to three years.  Lead sponsors:  Senator Rob Garagiola and Delegate Aruna Miller.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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October 18, 2010

CONFERENCE FOR MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PROFESSIONALS ADDRESSES SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) with the support of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) brings local professionals together to address sexual violence in underserved communities across Maryland.

The Spectrum of Trauma and Prevention is a day-long conference on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at the University of Baltimore in Baltimore, MD that aims to educate on the topic of sexual violence prevention and response in underserved communities across Maryland.

The conference will focus on prevention work that gets at the root cause of sexual violence, rather than focusing on risk reduction and self-defense to prevent sexual violence. Topics will include: Trauma Informed Care; Victimization, Trauma and the African-American Community, as well as Sexual Violence and Social Justice.

According to Jennie Boden, Executive Director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), “Given the vast underreporting of rapes in our state and nationwide, we feel it is vital that we help professionals across all disciplines address the needs of underserved communities across Maryland and encourage community leaders to take steps to prevent sexual violence in their communities.”

MCASA-WOCN’s The Spectrum of Trauma & Prevention is presented by MCASA with support from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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October 6, 2010

AT LEAST 1 IN 4 COLLEGE WOMEN WILL BE THE VICTIM OF A SEXUAL ASSAULT DURING HER ACADEMIC CAREER[1]

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) partners with the University of Maryland, College Park and Bowie State University to give local colleges and universities the tools they need to prevent sexual violence on their campuses.

Preventing Sexual Violence: A Team Approach for Campuses is a day-long conference on Thursday, October 14, 2010 on the campus of University of Maryland, College Park that will help statewide colleges and universities to develop comprehensive strategies to prevent sexual assault on their campuses.

Attendees will hear from leaders in the field such as Dorothy Edwards of the University of Kentucky’s Violence Intervention and Prevention Center. Edwards’ renowned Green Dot Program is being adopted by campuses in various parts of the country to promote a violence-free environment.

According to Jennie Boden, Executive Director of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA), “It is critical that Maryland colleges and universities adopt prevention programming into their curricula, as many studies have shown that college populations are among the highest at risk of experiencing sexual violence.”

Preventing Sexual Violence: A Team Approach for Campuses is presented by MCASA and its partners at the University of Maryland and Bowie State University, with support from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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May 27, 2010

MARYLAND CUTS FUNDING TO RAPE CRISIS & RECOVERY CENTERS, AS FORCIBLE RAPE INCREASES BY 2% STATEWIDE

Maryland’s community-based rape crisis & recovery centers will see a 31.5% decrease in state funding. This decrease comes on the heels of Governor Martin O’Malley’s re-election campaign touting a 5% drop in violent crime, yet the only violent offense to see a rise was forcible rape, up 2% in 2009 from 2008.

“It’s inconceivable that the State would enact such a drastic cut in funding to our frontline of support for sexual assault survivors.  We call upon the Governor and state lawmakers to reinstate this critical funding so that survivors across the state can access the resources, support and referrals they need,” said Lisae C. Jordan, General Counsel of the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA).

Maryland’s 16 rape crisis & recovery centers provide free & confidential direct service to the survivors of sexual assault and their families. A cut in funding to these centers will result in a cutback of these essential services to survivors.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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May 4, 2010

MCASA HELPS LEAD EFFORT TO PASS NEW SEXUAL ASSAULT LAWS

Annapolis, MD – Sexual assault survivors will have more protection after the enactment of a series of bills signed today by Governor Martin O’Malley.  The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) helped lead the effort to pass over a dozen new sex offender laws, while assuring that the needs of victims were included in the legislation.

The General Assembly was moved to act after the murder of 11 year old Sarah Foxwell.  On Christmas Day, Sarah’s body was found near her hometown on the Eastern Shore.  A registered sex offender is charged with her murder, kidnapping, and sexual assault.

“It is tragic that it took the death of a child to prompt Maryland to reform its sex offender laws,” said Lisae C. Jordan, General Counsel for MCASA, “but it would have been shameful if legislators had failed to act after Sarah’s murder.  The package of laws enacted will help prevent sexual violence, support victims, and hold offenders accountable.”

Among the bills signed today is HB1043, which was sponsored by Delegate Norman Conway (D-Wicomico County) and establishes Child Advocacy Centers in statute.  Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) are nationally recognized programs that bring together law enforcement, social workers, prosecutors, medical personnel, and advocates to respond to children who disclose sexual abuse.

Other legislation will help prevent child sexual abuse.  Bills by Senator Delores Kelley (D-Baltimore County) and Delegate Kathleen Dumais (D-Montgomery County) will require child protective services to investigate certain situations when a child is regularly in the presence of or living with a registered sex offender (HB811/SB559).

Governor O’Malley helped lead the effort to improve the State’s sex offender laws with a trio of bills (SB280/HB473, SB854/HB936, SB856/HB931) that will impose lifetime supervision for sex offenders sentenced after October 2010, improve the sex offender registry, and enhance the State’s Sexual Offender Advisory Board. All three bills were also signed today.

The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MCASA) is the statewide collective voice advocating for accessible, compassionate care for survivors of sexual assault, and accountability for all offenders. MCASA actively works to end sexual violence in the state of Maryland through public policy, community outreach, education, technical assistance and legal services.

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