MCASA Newsletter : Frontline

Harvey Weinstein… Kevin Spacey… Al Franken… Roy Moore… The list of powerful men accused of sexual violence seems to grow longer every day. Everyone is talking about sexual harassment and assault right now, but MCASA has been fighting for survivors for over 40 years, and we couldn’t do what we do without your help and support. It is truly an amazing moment in history that so many survivors feel comfortable coming forward and saying ‘Enough!’ We owe it to these brave survivors, and to every survivor, to seize this moment and

Students from kindergarten through college have returned to school throughout the state of Maryland. According to an Associated Press investigation, there were approximately 17,000 reports of sexual assaults by students in school between 2011 and 2015. Because sexual assault is widely underreported, there are likely many more incidents taking place in schools.  It is vitally important that we invest in prevention and response efforts in all schools, from kindergarten through higher education. Prevention strategies to help protect students come in many different forms. In this quarter’s Prevention Corner feature, we examine the many parallels between healthy sexuality and sexual violence

Progress.  Not in every way, but in many ways.  That’s what happened this legislative session in Maryland’s General Assembly.  MCASA’s advocacy helped pass bills that fundamentally change how Maryland responds to rape. Delegate Kathleen Dumais and Senator Delores Kelley sponsored the “No Means No” bill that modernizes Maryland’s sexual assault statutes and makes it clear that survivors never have to physically resist sexual assault.  This will mean that more sexual assault survivors will have access to the criminal justice system and that when someone says &ldquo

As we move into the New Year, a new legislative session begins in the state of Maryland.  Throughout this legislative session, MCASA will be in Annapolis standing up for sexual assault survivors and pushing for policies that will help end sexual violence in our state. During this legislative session, we will fight for bills that expand funding for rape crisis centers, enabling them to provide crucial services to survivors.  This is one of MCASA’s top priorities this legislative session in order to respond to the elevated need for services across the state of Maryland.  Another

Sexual assault is in headlines across the country. We have the chance to talk to more people about sexual assault, remind our communities about the importance of believing survivors who have the courage to come forward, and shine light on the crucial work of local programs. Our national discussion reminds us that it is crucial to include men and boys in our prevention efforts. In this issue’s Prevention Corner article, we discuss the importance of understanding what toxic masculinity looks like in our society and how it is important to address it in our work to prevent sexual

6 months. That’s the maximum time that convicted “Stanford Rapist” Brock Turner can expect to spend in jail after brutally raping an unconscious woman behind a dumpster. This is not what justice looks like. Turner’s lenient sentence has sparked national outrage. Beginning with the survivor’s courageous impact statement, the national dialogue surrounding this case has shown the steep price that survivors are forced to pay for rape apologism. We are reminded once again that our culture must change, that sexual assault survivors do not yet have access to justice, and that

  April is Sexual Assault Awareness month. This year’s theme, Prevention is Possible, resonates with us here in Maryland. With the recent passage of Erin’s Law through both the House of Delegates and the State Senate, there has never been a better time for us to come together and ensure that all children receive appropriate prevention education. As Frontline goes to press, Maryland’s legislative session is in its last days. In addition to Erin’s law, the General Assembly has approved bills to expand the basis for peace orders to include

This month marks the beginning of the new legislative session in Maryland. MCASA continues to have an active voice in Annapolis and looks forward to continuing to advocate for policies to end sexual violence. This legislative session, we will continue to press forward with bills to maintain funding for services for sexual assault survivors, limit the parental rights of rapists, and require age-appropriate sexual assault and abuse education in all schools. We also look forward to working with Senator Susan Lee and Delegate Kathleen Dumais on legislation to vacate convictions for petty crimes committed as a result of being a