Public policy is a critical part of comprehensive and effective
victim advocacy. Through public policy efforts, advocates can
work to change sexual assault laws and policies to better serve
victims and hold perpetrators accountable for their crime.
Through its public policy program, VSDVAA offers advocates
an opportunity to get involved in changing the way Virginia
responds to sexual assault.
The Action Alliance monitors the development and implementation
of state and federal laws that affect victims of sexual and
domestic violence, non-profits, and sexual and domestic violence
programs. We work closely with victim advocates to ensure that
our public policy work meets the needs of survivors and programs
across Virginia. We also work collaboratively with state agencies
including the Department of Criminal Justice Services, Department
of Health, Department of Social Services, Department of Housing
and Community Development, Office of the Attorney General,
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State Crime Commission
and others.
Action Alliance staff and membership attend public hearings,
provide comments on proposed legislation, assist state agencies
in policy development, serve on grant review committees, partner
with state-level agencies on grants, assist in statewide training
and resource development and provide expertise on the issues
of sexual and domestic violence. We provide public policy information
to sexual and domestic violence victim advocates and allies
in the movement. The Action Alliance holds an annual Legislative
Advocacy Training Day and Lobby Day in order to inform members
and elected representatives about legislation related to sexual
and domestic violence.
Click on brochure to go to the PDF Document. |
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Public Policy Priorities
Legislative Advocacy Resources
Links to Other Policy Organizations
Recent successes:
Legislation to remove marital exemptions from the Rape
statute was passed in 2000, and legislation to remove these
exemptions from the Forcible Sodomy and Object Sexual Penetration
statutes passed in 2005.
Sexual abuse of people who are mentally incapacitated
was raised from a misdemeanor to a felony offense in 2004,
and sexual abuse of people who are physically helpless was
raised from a misdemeanor to a felony in 2005.
A statewide study of Virginia’s response to sexual
assault was requested by the General Assembly and completed
by the Department of Health in 2004.
A Domestic Violence Victims Fund was established by the
General Assembly in 2004. This is a new funding stream for
providers of services to victims of domestic violence, sexual
assault and stalking.
A program to pilot the Family Violence Option for recipients
of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds was
passed by the General Assembly in 2005. The program will
be piloted in 6 regions beginning in 2005.
Legislation to establish specific domestic violence services
within the Department of Social Services passed in 2005.
VSDVAA’s Public Policy Committee is
an excellent way to get involved in the public policy process.
If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Stacy
Ruble at 804.377.0335. E-mail is not a secure form of communication. To ensure confidentiality please call the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.838.8238 (V/TTY).
