Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Not naming sex assault or domestic violence doesn't dilute the task force? Seriously?
There are two task forces in Pasco County that address the issues of family violence and sexual abuse: one works in West Pasco with the Salvation Army Domestic Violence Center; and the other works in East Pasco, with Sunrise of Pasco County, which is tasked with addressing sexual assault throughout the entire county. Both are registered with the state and federal government under the name Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force of Pasco County. As a result, the East Pasco task force includes eliminating sexual assault for all of Pasco and is not limited to just the eastern end of the county for that issue. But things are changing that can impact these issues. Task force members tentatively voted last month to change the common-use name to …
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Do sexual and domestic violence issues get diluted or not? This month's task force meeting debates the impact of its new name, which is still up for discussion.
Do not water down the only task force that addresses domestic and sexual violence throughout all of Pasco County. That's my advice to members of the Task Force Formerly Known as the Sexual and Domestic Violence Task Force of Pasco County. (This reminds me of The Artist Formerly Known as Prince who was then doing business as that weird symbol...) The Task Force tentatively voted in late May to drop "domestic and sexual violence" from its common-use name and expand its services in East Pasco. Its new name is "Family and Community Task Force of East Pasco," but Task Force members are continuing to debate the decision. I want the task force's focus to be clear and not clear as mud. I don't want them to drop "domestic and sexual violence" …
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Is dillution the solution? Proposed name changes make no mention of sexual or domestic violence.
The Domestic and Sexual Violence Task Force of Pasco County tentatively voted in late May to drop "domestic and sexual violence" from its common-use name and expand its services in East Pasco. While the new name is "Family and Community Enhancement Task Force of East Pasco," the goup is still operating as the only countywide domestic and sexual violence task force. In addition, West Pasco's Domestic Violence Task force is not included in these changes at all and is a separate operation. Why change the name? It's a different name for “marketing purposes” while the grant money still rolls in under the official legal name, according to the explanation provided by Sunrise of Pasco. That means for bylaws and grants, it's legal name remains as "…
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Florida Legislature unanimously passes Walk in Their Shoes Act
“Excellent news, HB 251 passed the House of Representatives this morning with unanimous support, 116-0.” This was the wonderful update I got from Carissa Caricato, Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. House Bill 251 is the “Walk in Their Shoes Act," which strengthens prosecutors' and law enforcement officers' ability to combat sexual violence and better protects the rights of victims of crimes. Lauren Book is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse who has worked to help heal other survivors. She also started a non-profit, Lauren's Kids, to help raise awareness of prevention of child sexual abuse, change the laws, and more. Book is a published author and educator as well. Through Lauren's kids, she holds an annual walk that unites survivors and …
Joe Sprowls
1:27 am on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
You wrote a great article more ›