To balance the scales of justice in domestic violence cases by holding batterers and the system accountable, we have launched this comprehensive campaign which includes a survey of survivors' experiences with family court, court watching and recording observations using a comprehensive tool, documenting safety and other problems and developing recommendations for improvements.
To kick off our Battered Mothers' Justice Campaign, we held our first public rally on May 6, 2005. More than 100 dedicated, passionate women and men gathered outside Manhattan's Family Court calling for court reform on behalf of battered women. The Manhattan Borough President presented the comprehensive demands outlined by survivors, including concerns about court safety and child custody matters. Other speakers included Council members and parents who have experienced court injustice. One of the more significant outcomes of the rally was the bringing together of a diverse coalition that included survivors and advocates representing battered women and immigrants, as well as child welfare and court reform advocates. Historically these groups have not had an occasion to work together as a united force - the rally has begun to create an opportunity to build stronger alliances among these groups.
VOW is working with homeless and battered women's advocates to improve the application process for temporary shelter and permanent housing for survivors. We are also working to ensure that the City's Housing Stability Plus subsidy program takes into account battered women's needs. These goals will be accomplished through testimony and meetings with policy makers at several city agencies. Members will develop written policy recommendations, testify at hearings and engage in direct action when necessary.
VOW members met with the Commissioner of ACS (the city's child welfare agency) in 2005 to outline the serious concerns survivors of domestic violence have about the handling of domestic violence cases. This was the first time an ACS Commissioner heard directly from survivors. VOW will continue to meet with decision makers at ACS to create improvements. VOW members will actively participate on advisory committees providing important input and perspective from survivors.
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