TAKE BACK THE NIGHT
by Cyndy Kelly, Domestic Violence Co-chairperson

Turning Point will be educating and raising awareness regarding sexual assault through its fourteenth annual Take Back the Night march and rally. Take Back the Night is a protest against rape that is designed to raise awareness in the community and empower survivors. The event will be held April 27, 2006 at the Roseville Recreation Center, 18185 Sycamore (east of Gratiot and north of 11 mile road), starting at 6:00 PM.

Another event raising sexual assault awareness will take place at the John R. Armstrong Performing Arts Center on April 26, 2006. The Teen Theater Project is a group of teenagers committed to speaking out against domestic and sexual violence through the creation of original drama. Please call Tuning Point for exact times at (586) 463-4430.

Turning Point is a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Their mission is to provide programs and resources that enable victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and homelessness to regain control of their lives.

Macomb County Annual Chapter Meeting
Chapter Elections and Program
April 19, 2006 6:30 ~ 8:30 p.m.
Clinton –Macomb Public Library Conference Room B
(Canal at Romeo Plank Road)

presented by Renee Beeker

Breaking the Silence: The Children’s Stories

This ground breaking documentary gives voice to the children harmed by the family court system and use of “Parental Alienation Syndrome” to keep them from the custody of a protective parent. The children and their mothers describe how the family court system fails to protect children--where the focus is no longer on protection of children, but on discrediting the complaints of mothers and children through the use of a deceptive idea called “parental alienation.”

Our presenter, Renee Beeker, has been an activist/advocate for reform of the judicial system since 1996. She works with many grassroots organizations and had been an invited speaker at numerous conferences around the United States. At her most recent workshop for the 3rd Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference in January, 2006, Renee presented “The National Family Court Watch Project” which has gained national recognition.

A graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Organizational Communications, she is currently serving Michigan NOW as Legislative Vice President. Renee is also chair of National NOW’s Ad Hoc Family Law Advisory Committee, Legislative Analyst for the National Network on Family Law Policy, and Director of the National Family Court Watch Project.

VAWA SIGNED INTO LAW
by Cyndy Kelly, Domestic Violence Co-chairperson

At last! On January 5, 2006, President Bush signed the Violence Against Women Act of 2005 into law. On March 16, 2006 the Senate was scheduled to vote on two amendments to fund VAWA programs. The passage of these amendments is crucial to preserving funding for these programs. VAWA is in trouble, again.

For the fifth year in a row, President Bush has not requested full funding for VAWA programs. No funding at all has been proposed for new VAWA programs.

The VAWA of 2005 builds on past efforts by targeting resources to children and youth, who have been exposed to violence, and provides resources to children and youth who have been exposed to violence. It also provides resources to help some of our marginalized citizens who experience this violence. Thousands of local communities, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors and victims assistance programs rely upon VAWA to support victims. It also provides support for prevention, health, housing and economic programs designed to end domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault and stalking.

TAKE ACTION NOW at:
Stop Family Violence

Chapter Elections, April 19

Nominations have been made for the
following offices;

Vice President-Action......Margaret Kaminski
Treasurer...............Cyndy Kelly
Secretary.....................Pam Leuffgen

Unemployment Benefits for
Victims of Domestic Violence

Mt. Clemens State Representative, Fred Miller, has introduced HB 5564 that would provide unemployment benefits to victims of domestic violence who left employment due to domestic violence. Between 1/4 to 1/2 of all domestic violence victims report they lost a job, in part to their abuse. Thank you, Fred. He can be reached at: 517-373-0159 or fredmiller@house.mi.gov.