Making a Mark: Dance and Social Justice
May 16, 2012
By: Melanie Feilotter

In an unusual commingling, the boards and communities of a dance company and a social justice center gather to watch a live performance. A metallic, steady backbeat breaks the silence, and as the lights come up, three lithe young women appear, hands linked, jutting across the stage with sharp-edged, angular motions that contrast starkly with the gracious ballet pink dresses they wear. The dance is called “Save the Children,” with choreography by Randy Duncan, and it clearly speaks to themes of both innocence and empowerment, alternating as it does between child-like pirouetting and primal pounding. That conflicting imagery takes on special meaning in this context, where the children’s troupe is kicking off a “groundbreaking collaboration,” as a board member of a social justice organization puts it, between the very different groups.

In the past, such a performance, in this case by the Tennessee Children’s Dance Ensemble (TCDE), might have been the beginning and end of the encounter, offered for fundraising purposes, or public awareness, or some combination thereof. But increasingly, community outreach is just the tip of the iceberg, and artists and social justice organizations are finding mutual benefits to deeper and more prolonged partnerships. That deliberate choice of engagement, as opposed to outreach, seeks to erase some of the traditional hierarchies between dancers and community members.

A Gateway to Murder
May 16, 2012
By: Washington Post

IN THE CONTEXT of domestic violence against women, prosecutors know that attempted strangulation is the critical gateway crime to murder. That’s why it’s so disappointing that Maryland lawmakers failed to enact legislation this year that would have treated strangulation with the severity and punishment it richly deserves. In the absence of such a measure, too many men will get off lightly for a crime that is a shockingly common portent for homicide.

Current state law classifies strangulation as a second-degree assault, carrying a prison term of up to 10 years. That sounds reasonable in theory; in practice it doesn’t work. The reality is that men charged with trying to strangle their girlfriends and wives almost never get the maximum punishment and often get no prison time at all.

More States Making Strangling Attempts A Felony
May 16, 2012
By: The Associated Press

South Dakota this year joined a growing list of states that have made nonfatal choking a felony crime.

Anti-domestic violence groups leading the effort say the laws are intended to not only secure tougher punishments for domestic abusers but also to promote awareness of a crime they say often precedes homicide.

Safety Matters: Speaking Out During Crime Victims’ Awareness Week
May 3, 2012

Turn on the news and you will see stories about the latest bank robbery, mugging or home invasion. Yet, how often do you hear about the victims? How were they treated by both their assailant and the criminal justice system? Were they were helped, afterward? How did they overcome the impact of the crime?

Our agency, along with others, recently kicked off National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. It was a time for us to think about those citizens who have been impacted by a violent crime, to promote the rights of victims and the expansion of services and support them in helping to rebuild their lives.

Mary Travers Murphy, director of the Family Justice Center of Erie County, Deputy Liz Fildes, director of Human Trafficking for the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, Sharon Morgan, a domestic violence advocate with our office, as well as a survivor of domestic violence, and Elizabeth Obad, president of Mothers Against Drunk Driving - Erie County, joined together to show our support in helping people go from victims to victors.

Far more often, we hear about prisoners’ rights. Quite frankly, I am tired of that.

I remain committed to the Constitutional treatment of inmates, but I do not believe they should enjoy a quality of life superior to that of hardworking families, veterans, retirees and others who obey our laws. But enough about prisoners; this week was dedicated to the victims, the people whose lives are often left in shambles by violent criminals who do what they feel like without any forethought or responsibility.

During the press conference, our office continued to promote the Victim Information Notification Everyday Program, through which a victim of a crime can call 1-888-846-3469 to find out whether their perpetrator is still in jail, prison or back on the street.

There is more information about this program on our website at www.erie.gov/sheriff. Travers Murphy said that the Family Justice Center has 13 service agencies working anytime together under one roof to address everything a victim of domestic violence needs to escape, from forensic documentation of injuries and the ability to file charges to counseling, legal assistance, orders of protection, emergency housing, safety planning, etc. For more information, visit www.fjcsafe.org.

Morgan spoke about her years of physical and sexual abuse at the hands of multiple abusers and how she has dedicated her life to assist other victims; Fildes spoke about human trafficking and how it snares its powerless victims. Obad talked about how losing her son to a drunk driver impacted her life and how she now helps other victims whose lives are turned upside down by drunk and drugged drivers.

It was very humbling to be in the company of ordinary people who do extraordinary things, brought together by a common thread of man’s inhumanity to each other.

Obad was right: “Total justice will only be achieved when those who are not injured by crime feel as indignant as those who are.” Crime victims, you are not forgotten. We are here to help you.

RI Senate OKs Tougher Penalties for Strangulation
May 5, 2012

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The Rhode Island Senate has endorsed a proposal to increase penalties for domestic assault by choking.

The measure would make domestic assault by strangulation a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Supporters of the bill say tougher penalties for choking someone could prevent domestic homicides by stopping batterers before abuse escalates.

The Senate passed the legislation on Thursday. A similar bill is under consideration in the House of Representatives.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic violence supports the proposal. The group says nearly 10,000 domestic violence victims sought help last year.

More than half of U.S. states have already passed similar domestic choking laws.