National Statement in Support of Full and Equal Access for the Transgender Community from Anti-Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Organizations

We, the undersigned anti-sexual assault and domestic violence organizations unequivocally support laws and policies that protect transgender people from violence and discrimination. This includes laws and policies that protect transgender children’s and adults’ ability to access restrooms, locker rooms, domestic violence shelters, rape crisis centers, and other facilities that match their affirmed gender.

Unfortunately, states across the country have introduced or adopted dangerous policies that seek to erode non-discrimination protections and exclude transgender, nonbinary, and intersex people from sex-separated public spaces. Legislative proposals have also sought to ban trans, nonbinary, and intersex survivors from critical services and safe spaces while escaping violence. Supporters of these anti-trans policies claim that they are necessary for public safety and to prevent sexual violence against women and children. As sexual assault service providers, domestic violence shelters, and other service providers and advocates who work each and every day to meet the needs of all survivors and reduce sexual assault and domestic violence throughout society, we speak from experience and expertise, and we strongly disagree.

Claims that allowing transgender people to access sex-separated spaces aligning with their gender identity threatens the safety or privacy of women and girls are false. We call on policy makers to focus on and fully fund survivors’ real needs: housing, healthcare, advocacy, legal support, counseling, children’s services, and more and to oppose harmful and false narratives about trans people and nonbinary people and survivors.

Transgender and nonbinary individuals already suffer higher risks of domestic violence and sexual assault resulting from discrimination, stigma, and barriers to financial and housing security they endure. Transgender women of color are disproportionately impacted. Prohibiting transgender and nonbinary people from facilities consistent with their affirmed gender further increases their vulnerability to assault and abuse.

As advocates committed to ending sexual assault and domestic violence, we do not support any law or policy that could place any person at greater risk for assault or abuse. That is why we strongly support transgender-inclusive nondiscrimination laws and policies—and why we oppose any law that jeopardizes the safety of transgender people.

Nondiscrimination laws protecting transgender people have existed for almost fifty years. Over 200 municipalities and 18 states have nondiscrimination laws protecting transgender people’s access to facilities consistent with their affirmed gender. These laws have protected transgender and nonbinary people from discrimination without any evidence that they jeopardize others’ safety. No jurisdiction has seen a rise in sexual violence or other public safety issues due to nondiscrimination laws that prohibit discrimination against transgender and nonbinary people and ensure them access to sex-separated spaces consistent with their gender identity.

In contrast, research shows anti-transgender rhetoric and policies are linked to an increased risk of sexual assault of trans and nonbinary youth, with one study showing that trans and nonbinary students who were forced to use a bathroom or locker room that did not match their affirmed identity were more likely to report sexual assault. And, anti-trans policies have resulted in more women and girls being questioned generally in public spaces for any deviation from sexist stereotypes. For example, local vigilantes accosted Aimee Toms while using the women’s restroom at a Danbury, Connecticut, Walmart shortly after she donated her long hair to a charity that makes hair units for child cancer patients. The vigilantes argued Ms. Toms was prohibited from using the bathroom because she had short hair. Additionally, a twenty-four year old woman was berated and threatened while using a restroom at Rampart Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada because she had a buzz cut. Another woman was followed into the bathroom by a man at a Dallas hospital who “wanted to make sure she was going to the right [bathroom]” because she was wearing basketball shorts and a t-shirt. These women’s horrific experiences exemplify why anti-transgender policies threaten all women and girls and encourage people to question others’ gender because they may not conform to sex stereotypes.

Moreover, assaulting another person in a restroom or changing room remains against the law in every single state. We operate and advocate for rape crisis centers and shelters all over the country, including in cities and states with nondiscrimination protections for transgender people. Those protections neither weaken public safety or undermine criminal laws, nor have they compromised their enforcement.

Discriminating against transgender people threatens everyone’s autonomy over their body and their safety. Those who perpetuate falsehoods about transgender people and nondiscrimination laws are endangering all people, making no one safer. We cannot be silent while survivors, those who are transgender and those who are not, are harmed by these laws. We will only accomplish our goal of ending sexual assault and domestic violence by treating all people, including those who are transgender, with fairness and respect, regardless of their gender identify.

Respectfully submitted,

(list in formation)

Americans for Democratic Action (ADA)
API Chaya
Arizona Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence
Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project
Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence
ASISTA Immigrant Assistance
Aspen Victim Advocacy Services
ASTOP, Inc. Sexual Abuse Center
BeLEAF Survivors
Beyond Harm
Beyond Survival
Black Woman Sanctuary
Black Women's Blueprint
Bradley Angle
Bridges: Domestic & Sexual Violence Support Services, Inc.
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
Call to Safety
Caminar Latino-Latinos United for Peace and Equity
Canyon Creek Services
Catalyst
Cia Siab, Inc.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Coalition on Human Needs
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Conneticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Crime Victim Services
DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Deaf Unity
Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
District of Columbia Rape Crisis Center
Diverse & Resilient
Domestic Violence Services of Sno. Co.
Dove House Advocacy Services
El Programa Hispano Catolico_UNICA
Embrace Services, Inc.
Empowerhouse
End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin
Esperanza United
Family Advocates
Family Violence Appellate Project
Fight Against Domestic Violence
Florida Council Against Sexual Violence
FORGE, Inc.
Freedom, Inc.
FRIENDS, Inc.
Futures Without Violence
Gender Justice League
Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
HAVEN, Inc.
Hawaiʻi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Healthy Alternatives to Violent Environments
Her Justice
Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center
Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
Illinois Accountability Initiative
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
JDI (Jane Doe, Inc.) MA Coalition Against SA & DV
Jewish Family Services, Inc.
Jewish Women International
Journey Center for Safety & Healing
Just Detention International
Just Solutions
Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence
King County Sexual Assault Resource Center
Lassen Family Services
Legal Momentum
Little Listeners Of The Carolina
Live Violence Free
Los Angeles LGBT Center
Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault (LaFASA)
Lovelace Consulting Services, Inc.
Lumina Alliance
Lutheran Community Services Northwest
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Maitri
Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Inc.
Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Minnesota Indian Women's Sexual Assault Coalition
Modoc Crisis Center
Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Naila Amin Foundation
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
National Council of Jewish Women - Greater Philadelphia
National Indigenous Women's Resource Center
National LGBTQ Institute on IPV
National Network To End Domestic Violence
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual & Domestic Violence
Nebraska Tribes Addressing Violence Coalition
Nevada Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
New Avenues for Youth
New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence
New Mexico Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs
New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Oasis Youth Center
Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Ohio Domestic Violence Network
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Oregonizers
Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force
Pathways for Change, Inc. Rape Crisis Center
Peace House, Inc.
Peace Over Violence
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect
People Power United
Project Sister Family Services
Raksha, Inc.
Rape Recovery Center
Rape Trauma Services: A Center for Healing & Violence Prevention
Raphael House of Portland
Raven, Lotus & Grey
Reach Counseling
Rebuilding Hope Sexual Assault Center
Respect Together
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, Inc.
Seekhaven Family Crisis & Resource Center
Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA)
Stand Up Placer, Inc.
Stepping Stones, Inc.
Support, Advocacy & Resource Center
Tahirih Justice Center
Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence
Texas Council on Family Violence
The Center for Empowerment & Education
The Center for Family Justice
The Cocoon
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center | The DC Anti-Violence Project
The Domestic Violence Shelter
The DOVE Project
The National Domestic Violence Hotline
The SAFE Alliance
Townhall II
Transformation Project Advocacy Network
Tri-County Help Center, Inc.
Turning Point, Inc.
Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community
Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center, Inc.
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
VALOR
Verity
Vermont Network Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
Violence Free Colorado
Violence Free Minnesota
Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance
Volunteers of America Oregon - Home Free
WEAVE
West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
William E. Morris Institute for Justice
Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault
WOAR-Philadelphia Center Against Sexual Violence
Women's Resource Center
Women & Children's Horizons
WZA Consultant
YWCA Golden Gate Silicon Valley
YWCA New Britain
YWCA Yakima
ZeroV

Statement on Racist & Sexist Questioning of Supreme Court Nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence condemns the racist and sexist questioning and disrespectful behavior that marred the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, a nominee who is eminently qualified for the United States Supreme Court. Behavior of this form occurring in institutions and from leaders of our country upholds the very clear message – a Black woman can work hard, excel, and be the best in her field, but she will still be disrespected and her worth and character questioned.

Senators asked Judge Jackson a number of racist questions that have not in the past been asked of white nominees, including:

• Questions about her personal beliefs related to critical race theory, attacks against which are used as a proxy to challenge any assertions that racism continues to exist in the United States.

• A question misrepresenting the content of a children’s book: ‘“Do you agree . . . that babies are racist?”

• Questions implying that she has a “hidden agenda” to remake the United States legal system to impose lesser sentences on people of color than on white people.

• A question minimizing the very real existence and harm of white privilege, describing it as “so-called white privilege.”

• Statements implying that tough but fair questions would be called “racist.”

Moreover, some senators acted inappropriately and disrespectfully towards Judge Jackson through disruptions, theatrics, unsupported political grievances, and social media posts that had nothing to do with her qualifications or judicial temperament.

Not only was this an oppressive and disrespectful way to treat a nominee who is a role model for so many, it sent a terrible message to and has had a painful impact on the Black community, particularly Black women and girls who were watching. Many are survivors of gender-based violence needing a response from their government that respects, supports, and protects them. The racist and sexist rhetoric present during the hearings is incredibly harmful and unacceptable and must be interrupted as we all go forward to dismantle oppression and white supremacy and its harmful effects on victims, survivors, colleagues, and public policy.

For more information, please contact Terri Poore at terri@endsexualviolence.org, Monica McLaughlin at mmclaughlin@nnedv.org, or Rachel Graber at rgraber@ncadv.org.

NTF Celebrates VAWA's Passage and Signing into Law

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) celebrates the passage and signing into law of S.3623, the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022, as part of the omnibus appropriations bill. S.3623 reauthorizes the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) until 2027 and includes a number of enhancements to increase access to VAWA-funded programs and improve VAWA’s responsiveness to the needs of survivors.

The NTF began the reauthorization process in 2016, doing field assessments to determine what changes needed to be included in a VAWA reauthorization bill well in advance of VAWA’s original expiration date of October 1, 2018. S.3623, and its companion bill, H.R.1620, are the outcome of six years of bipartisan negotiation. We thank Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01) and Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and their staff for their leadership. We also thank all of the victims, survivors, advocates, and others who reached out to their members of Congress to urge them to support this bill. This is their victory!

Please contact Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), and Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org) with any questions.

Take Action:

Celebrate VAWA’s reauthorization with these social media posts

Statement and Action in Support of the Senate Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) applauds Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for introducing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022. This important bill reflects a bipartisan consensus that the government needs to do more to prevent and to respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill addresses the many needs identified during extensive engagement with the domestic violence and sexual assault fields. A summary of the Senate bill can be found here.

The House of Representatives passed their version of this bill, led by Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), last March. The NTF encourages the Senate to swiftly pass the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 and send it to the House for a vote.

TAKE ACTION!

Organizations and individuals: Join the NTF in urging your senators to cosponsor and vote in favor of this bill. Just click here to automatically send an email! You can find social media posts and graphics here.

Organizations only: In addition to the actions above, please use this form to sign onto the NTF’s letter in support of this bill by Monday, February 14.
Please reach out with any questions to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org), Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org), and Terri Poore (terri@endsexualviolence.org).

Action Alert: Day of Action for VAWA with Lead Senators and Angelina Jolie

On January 19, join the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Angelina Jolie, and Senate sponsors of the upcoming Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorization for a policy day of action to ask Senators to co-sponsor and pass the bipartisan consensus bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act.

On December 16, 2021, Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) announced they had reached a deal on a framework to reauthorize VAWA with key improvements and protections to better meet the needs of abuse survivors. They plan to introduce the bill this month. While they are finalizing the bill, they need our help to build support among Senators so they can introduce the bill with as many bipartisan sponsors as possible.

VAWA is a central way the Federal government responds to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. First signed into law in 1994, VAWA creates grant programs to provide services and housing to victims and survivors and training to improve the legal response to gender-based violence. The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 is based on extensive work with survivors, direct service providers, and other stakeholders, and is the first reauthorization since the pandemic, which has exacerbated domestic violence and sexual assault.

VIRTUAL RALLY: Join us, with VAWA lead Senators and international human rights and children’s rights advocate Angelina Jolie at 12:15 ET/9:15 PT HERE

TWITTER STORM: Then, join us at 1:00 ET/10:00 PT for a Twitter storm!

CALL YOUR SENATORS: Before, during, or after the rally, call your senators (202-224-3121) or email them through their websites.

This toolkit includes a call script, an email template, sample social media posts, and graphics. It even includes template op-eds and letters to the editor!

Please reach out to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org), Dorian Karp (dkarp@jwi.org) and Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org) with any questions or if you have an op-ed or letter to the editor placed.

NTF Statement on VAWA Reauthorization by Senate

The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) appreciates Senators Feinstein’s, Ernst’s, Durbin’s, and Murkowski’s ongoing commitment to swiftly reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) with key enhancements as expressed in their December 16 press release and on the Senate Floor. This lifesaving legislation cannot wait, and a Senate bill must, as the Senators stated, be introduced in January, including the provisions described in the published framework. The NTF will continue to work with the Senate, the House, the White House, the sexual assault and domestic violence victim advocacy communities, and victims and survivors nationwide to expeditiously strengthen and reauthorize VAWA.

Action Alert: Senate Day of Action on October 20th

More than six months ago, the House passed H.R.1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021, with strong bipartisan support. The Senate is currently negotiating their own bipartisan reauthorization bill.

We appreciate Senators Feinstein’s, Ernst’s, and Durbin’s leadership in developing a strong bipartisan bill that meets the needs of survivors and that does not include any rollbacks. In order to ensure VAWA is able to pass both Chambers of Congress and be signed by the President before the end of the year, senators must swiftly introduce and pass a bipartisan bill built on H.R.1620.

Join us on October 20 to tell the Senate to introduce and pass a bipartisan bill that meets the needs of survivors and communities ASAP! A Senate bill must be bipartisan, must build on H.R.1620, and must maintain protections for LGBTQ survivors and advocates and other vulnerable populations. It must also:

○     Increase funding for culturally specific organizations;

○     Invest in prevention;

○     Affirm Tribes’ inherent authority to prosecute non-Native rapists and others who prey on Native women on tribal lands;

○     Take meaningful action to address adjudicated domestic and dating abusers’ access to firearms;

○     Improve access to housing for survivors;

○     Promote economic security for survivors; and

○     Address the criminal-legal system’s revictimization of survivors.

Call your senators (202-224-3121) or email them through their websites on October 20. In addition, join our 2:00 EDT Twitterstorm! This toolkit includes a call script, an email template, sample social media posts, and graphics. It even includes sample op-eds and letters to the editor, if you want to go the extra mile!

Please reach out to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org) and Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org) with any questions.

SAVE THE DATE: VAWA Senate Day of Action on October 20

SAVE THE DATE!

WHAT: VAWA Senate Day of Action

WHEN: All day on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 with a 2:00 pm EDT Twitter storm

WHY: The House of Representatives passed H.R.1620 more than six months ago, but the Senate has yet to introduce a bipartisan bill to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that builds on H.R.1620 and includes all survivors.

Please use the hashtags #VAWA4All and #VAWA21 for the 2pm EDT Twitterstorm and in all social media activity.

ADDITIONAL ACTIONS: Spread the word about the day of action on October 20 using the unbranded alert template in this toolkit. Then, use the templates in the toolkit to write and submit letters to the editor and op-eds in advance of (or on or after) the day of action - it’s very easy! The toolkit will be updated periodically with graphics and other materials for the day of action.

Please send published op-eds and letters to the editor to Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org) and Monica McLaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org).

NTF Responds to Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on the Violence Against Women Act

Today’s United States Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, “Renewing and Strengthening the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA),” underscored survivors’ urgent needs. Chair Durbin and Senator Ernst confirmed their commitment to working together to secure a bipartisan bill to reauthorize, modernize, and strengthen VAWA.  The National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (NTF) appreciates the Senators’ support for reauthorizing VAWA, and we also appreciate Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco’s testimony about the importance of reauthorizing a VAWA that centers the needs of American Indian and Alaska Native survivors, of Communities of Color, of LGBTQ survivors, of rural and other underserved communities, and that closes the so-called ‘boyfriend loophole.

We must remain mindful of the fact that this VAWA reauthorization is occurring nearly two years into a pandemic: a public health crisis that is unparalleled in our lifetimes and one that literally changed the way in which we provide the life-saving services that we do every day. Because of this, in addition to the important DOJ-centered responses that were discussed today, we urge the Senate to work toward a final bill that responds to the totality of survivors’ needs including housing, unemployment insurance, training for employers on responding to gender-based violence, and prevention.

The NTF rejects any proposal to reauthorize VAWA through a short-term extension. VAWA is receiving record funding through the annual appropriations process, and while VAWA must be reauthorized swiftly, reauthorizing it without key enhancements does not meet the needs of survivors. Bipartisan negotiations have been ongoing for five years, and the Senate must move forward. We urge the Senate to introduce and pass a robust, bipartisan VAWA this year that builds on the House-passed bill, H.R. 1620, with survivor-centered enhancements to meet the urgent needs of our communities. We cannot wait. Survivors cannot wait. Tribal Nations cannot wait. Advocates cannot wait. We are ready to support a bill that is responsive to the current realities of survivors, advocates, and our communities.

NOTICE: Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Hearing

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and it is time for the Senate to introduce and pass a strong VAWA reauthorization that meets the needs of survivors!

 Tomorrow, October 5, 2021, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holding a hearing on VAWA! Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco will be testifying before the Committee about VAWA’s successes and the importance of reauthorizing this critical legislation.

VAWA is one of the main pillars of the Federal government’s response to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. First passed in 1994, it has been reauthorized three times since then, each time with critical enhancements. VAWA’s authorization lapsed in 2018, and it is past time to reauthorize VAWA, once again, with targeted updates to protect survivors, with a focus on Communities of Color, Tribes, and LGBTQ survivors, to ensure they have access to vital services and to prevent future violence. H.R.1620, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021, passed the House of Representatives in March with strong bipartisan support. A summary of H.R.1620 can be found here.

Throughout the month of October, the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence will be calling on our allies in the gender-based violence field and beyond to push the Senate to introduce and pass a strong, bipartisan VAWA reauthorization bill that is substantially similar to H.R.1620 and that meets the needs of survivors. We are currently working with Senators Durbin, Ernst, and Feinstein to finalize such a bill. This hearing is an important first step.

Watch the hearing online here and tweet along using the hashtag #VAWA4All.

And please be ready to take action in the weeks to come!

Please contact Rachel Graber (rgraber@ncadv.org) and Monica McClaughlin (mmclaughlin@nnedv.org) with any questions.