Domestic violence survivors face more obstacles during pandemic
Published: 5/10/2021 1:07:05 PM
BOSTON Survivors of domestic violence have faced greater obstacles finding or getting access to support during the pandemic, putting vulnerable and marginalized populations even more at risk as households were confined to the same living space for long periods of time, according to Massachusetts advocates.
“We were asking people to shelter in place and telling them that home was the safest place to be, but for survivors of domestic violence, home is probably the most dangerous place to be,” said Deborah Hall, director of domestic violence services at YWCA Central Massachusetts, an organization dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women.
Fattman, McKenna push domestic violence bill protecting survivors working contract jobs
Ariane Vigna
BOSTON A bill extending workplace protections for domestic violence survivors working in contract jobs is aimed a closing a loophole that allowed a woman to be put out of a job after she missed work to recover from domestic violence injuries, according to sponsors Sen. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Sutton, and Rep. Joseph D. McKenna, R-Webster.
The current state labor law allows for a leave of absence of 15 days for direct employees who were victims of domestic violence. It does not extend to contracted workers such as Amanda Dabrowski, who was fatally stabbed in 2019 by her former partner Carlos Asencio at O’Connor’s Restaurant & Bar in Worcester.
Lawmakers pass Rep. Lori Ehrlich’s sexual-misconduct bill
Legislation would bring transparency to the presence of violence on college campuses
Katie Lannan
State House News Service
College students would be anonymously surveyed about their experiences with sexual misconduct on campus and would have access to new, confidential resources in the event of sexual assault, under a bill that as of press time sat on Gov. Charlie Baker s desk after a last-minute flurry of activity in the Legislature last week.
In a state rich with college campuses, versions of the bill have been filed since 2015 driven by student advocates and recent graduates who have been sharing their stories with lawmakers. Swampscott’s state representative, Lori Ehrlich, has filed versions of the bill in the House and been steadfast in helping get it passed.
Activists relieved to get campus assault bill to Baker
The Massachusetts State House in Boston GAZETTE FILE PHOTO
Modified: 1/7/2021 8:10:54 PM
College students would be anonymously surveyed about their experiences with sexual misconduct on campus and would have access to new, confidential resources in the event of sexual assault, under a bill that’s now on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk after a last-minute flurry of activity in the Legislature this week.
In a state rich with college campuses, versions of the bill have been filed since 2015, driven by student advocates and recent graduates who have been sharing their stories with lawmakers.