Take Action Now!

Read about this bill

Background
On Feb. 3, 2009 Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) reintroduced the Military Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Response Act (H.R.840). The bill seeks to reduce violence against military personnel and their families by enhancing programs of prevention and deterrence, improving victim services, and strengthening provisions for prosecution of assailants.

Women who courageously serve in our armed forces must deal with the possibility of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape during their service.  One study noted that sexual assault in the military is three to ten times more prevalent than in the general population. Nearly one-third of a nationwide sample of female veterans who sought health care through the VA said they experienced rape or attempted rape during their service.

This legislation is not specific to women, as men also risk sexual assault in the military.  Every service member deserves full rights and protections from abuse, and this legislation ensures that this occurs.

Specifically the legislation will:
-Establish an Office of Victims Advocate (OVA) within the Department of Defense, bring the Family Advocacy Program under OVA, and create a Director of OVA to oversee and coordinate efforts to prevent and respond to cases of family violence, domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking.-Codify rights, restitution policies, treatment and other services for victims within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), including creating comprehensive confidentiality protocols to protect the rights of victims within military law

-Strengthen policies for reporting, prosecuting and treating perpetrators of violence

-Create counseling and treatment programs through the Department of Veterans Affairs

Action Requested
Contact your Representative today and ask them to become a cosponsor of H.R. 840 and to actively work for its passage. If your Representative is already a cosponsor, you can send them a thank you note.

Two-thirds of college graduates leave school nearly $20,000 in debt, according to the National Postsecondary Student Aid study. With mounting job losses and unemployment at a 25-year high, those considering changing careers and pursuing passions must weigh the risk of a pay cut.

But now some students can reduce - or even wipe out their debt - just by following their calling. More liberal loan forgiveness programs are adding a financial incentive to working in traditionally low-paying fields

Source: http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/news/economy/loan_forgiveness/index.htm

Yesterday, I visited Dr. Height at her office at the National Council for Negro Women, which is the only minority-owned building on Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the Capitol. I dropped in to deliver a card celebrating her 97th birthday and a NASW lifetime membership certificate honoring her lifetime of service to the profession of social work and to the civil rights community. Dr. Height was extremely pleased and responded that she would treasure the certificate.

She inquired about the status of her bill, the Dorothy I. Height and Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvestment Act (H.R. 795/S.686) and I let her know that the bill was reintroduced by Rep. Towns on February 3 and by Senator Mikulski on March 24. I assured her that NASW was galvanizing our membership and the full social work community to support the bill and ensure its passage during the 111th Congress. Dr. Height said that she had just been at the White House and asked everyone to support her bill. She is an amazing advocate for her profession and lobbies for her bill wherever she goes. Dr. Height is an inspiration to all of us and a role model for social workers across the country to navigate the difficult challenges ahead.

Honor Dr. Height’s lifetime of work and stand up for your profession. Send a letter of support to your Representative and Senators today!

- E. Franklin

On Friday, April 3, NASW participated in a conference call with White House staff Melody Barnes, Director, Domestic Policy Counsel, Tina Chen, Director, Public Liaison, and Joshua Dubois, Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, by their invitation, to discuss the administration’s priorities to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortions, and family support for maternal and childhood health and adoptions. Many of these priorities fit with the work already underway by social workers and we will continue to partner with the White House on these important issues.