Advocating for an end to gender violence
Our advocacy has led to the passage of life-saving city- and state-level legislation, and changed policies affecting our clients at major governmental agencies.
Our advocacy has led to the passage of life-saving city- and state-level legislation, and changed policies affecting our clients at major governmental agencies.
New York State criminalized the non-consensual distribution of sexually explicit images thereby offering victims of cyber sexual abuse or “revenge porn,” legal recourse and access to justice.
New York State removed a provision in the State’s trafficking law that required prosecutors in cases involving a victim under the age of 18 to prove force, fraud or coercion even though the victim would not have been able to consent to sexual intercourse in the first place. The proof of coercion requirement forced child victims to endure the trauma of facing their exploiters in court which consequently resulted in few victims wanting to go to court and even fewer convictions of their traffickers.
New York State passed legislation to prohibit the marriage of minors under 17 years of age. Prior to the law’s passage, children as young as 14 were able to marry. These exceptions opened the door to forced marriages that often led to domestic violence and a host of other issues. The new law bans marriage for children 16 and under and requires children age 17 to get judicial approval prior to marriage.
New York State expanded the public health law to incorporate public education around the physical, sexual and psychological consequences of undergoing female genital mutilation with a specific emphasis on “vacation cutting” – the act of sending young girls out of state/country to undergo the procedure, typically during school vacations.
New York State passed a package of legislation increasing penalties for traffickers and protecting minor victims of sex trafficking.
New York State created special courts to provide social and legal services to individuals charged with prostitution, instead of jail time.
The New York City Council passed legislation requiring that Taxi and Limousine Commission Certified drivers be trained to identify trafficking victims, and held accountable for willfully transporting victims.
New York State make strangling a felony crime. Strangling or choking in an abusive relationship can be an indicator that the victim is at high risk of being killed by an abuser.
Major New York State divorce reform legislation finally permitted no-fault divorce in New York State, thus making it easier for our clients to end abusive marriages.
New York State recognized that minors 15 and under cannot be charged with prostitution. This law was further expanded to cover 16 and 17-year olds in 2014.
New York State criminalized the non-consensual distribution of sexually explicit images thereby offering victims of cyber sexual abuse or “revenge porn,” legal recourse and access to justice.
New York State removed a provision in the State’s trafficking law that required prosecutors in cases involving a victim under the age of 18 to prove force, fraud or coercion even though the victim would not have been able to consent to sexual intercourse in the first place. The proof of coercion requirement forced child victims to endure the trauma of facing their exploiters in court which consequently resulted in few victims wanting to go to court and even fewer convictions of their traffickers.
New York State passed legislation to prohibit the marriage of minors under 17 years of age. Prior to the law’s passage, children as young as 14 were able to marry. These exceptions opened the door to forced marriages that often led to domestic violence and a host of other issues. The new law bans marriage for children 16 and under and requires children age 17 to get judicial approval prior to marriage.
New York State expanded the public health law to incorporate public education around the physical, sexual and psychological consequences of undergoing female genital mutilation with a specific emphasis on “vacation cutting” – the act of sending young girls out of state/country to undergo the procedure, typically during school vacations.
New York State passed a package of legislation increasing penalties for traffickers and protecting minor victims of sex trafficking.
New York State created special courts to provide social and legal services to individuals charged with prostitution, instead of jail time.
The New York City Council passed legislation requiring that Taxi and Limousine Commission Certified drivers be trained to identify trafficking victims, and held accountable for willfully transporting victims.
New York State make strangling a felony crime. Strangling or choking in an abusive relationship can be an indicator that the victim is at high risk of being killed by an abuser.
Major New York State divorce reform legislation finally permitted no-fault divorce in New York State, thus making it easier for our clients to end abusive marriages.
New York State recognized that minors 15 and under cannot be charged with prostitution. This law was further expanded to cover 16 and 17-year olds in 2014.
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