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Public Policy Overview

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.

Public Policy Priorities 2005-2010

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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.

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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).