April 8, 2021
April is designated nationally as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, meaning it is a time to educate and engage the public in preventing, intervening, and responding to sexual assault. After a very long and rough legislative session, there were a couple of exciting things that happened yesterday, April 8, 2021, to coincide with the month’s activities.
First, the House of Representatives unanimously passed Senate Bill 1089 (it was passed unanimously by the Senate on March 2). This bill repeals exceptions to Idaho’s criminal definition of rape for married individuals; it defines rape as rape – regardless of the relationship of the parties. The bill is on its way to the Governor’s office for signature. Senator Melissa Wintrow wrote and introduced the bill, and Representative Colin Nash carried the bill on the House floor. We are tremendously grateful for their continued support and legislative leadership on issues impacting survivors.
Second, House Bill 249, defined human sexuality as any presentation, story time, discussion, or reading assignment, other than sex education (the study of the anatomy and physiology of human reproduction), that is focused primarily or substantially on human sexuality, encompassing the topics of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, eroticism, sexual pleasure, or sexual intimacy. The bill required parents to affirmatively opt in to any public school instruction regarding human sexuality. It is our opinion that this bill would exclude children, particularly those most at risk for sexual abuse, from educational activities, necessary to identify child sexual abuse, such as good touch/bad touch, consent, and relationship decision making programming. It would also reduce supportive services available for queer and trans children. After passing on party lines in the House, it was held after hearing in the Senate Education Committee. We are excited that that Committee recognized the impact this bill would have on Idaho children.
If you have any questions about Idaho or federal policy impacting survivors of violence, please contact Annie Hightower at
Annie Hightower
annie@engagingvoices.org
Three Things to reach out to me for:
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month which is a great time to remind you that the Idaho Coalition provides civil legal assistance for survivors of sexual violence aged 11-24. Civil legal assistance needed by survivors can take many forms, and may include help:
We can also assist with protecting records and survivor privacy, seeking crime victim assistance and other funds available to recoup financial losses, as well as make referrals to attorneys that may be able to help in other areas (such as monetary recovery through civil law suits). Consultations can be done by phone or if necessary for representation we can come to your site to meet with the client. To make a referral to the Idaho Coalition civil legal assistance program, please contact Annie at annie@engagingvoices.org.
Annie Hightower
annie@engagingvoices.org
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Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moratorium on evictions is still in place and has been extended to June 30, 2021?
The tenant must complete the CDC Eviction Protection Declaration Form ( English Spanish ). This form is a declaration from the tenant stating they meet the following requirements.
The completed form should be given to the landlord or property manager as soon as possible. Keep in mind that tenants should still try to make partial rent payments after they turn in the declaration form and all back rent will be due when the moratorium expires.
Unfortunately, it is not a guarantee that the tenant will be able to stay in their home in every state. Evictions continue in Idaho and some survivors are being evicted for other reasons, like criminal activity, that are not covered by the CDC’s moratorium order.
For more information visit National Housing Law Project , National Low Income Housing Coalition, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The passage of the American Rescue Plan Act will bring more assistance for renters and unhoused communities. We will be sharing more detailed information as it becomes available.
Kailey Carter-Zitterkopf
kailey@engagingvoices.org
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As shared in the Fall, the Idaho Coalition will not award or administer ISP SASP funds for the 2021 calendar year; however, we wanted to remind programs that we will continue to administer the ISP SASP Emergency Assistance Funds in partnership with ISP. This limited funding stream is allocated specifically to help provide emergency support to individuals impacted by sexual assault.
SASP emergency funds may be accessed by Idaho Coalition member programs, those who receive/have been awarded 2021 SASP funds, as-well-as program members who do not currently receive SASP funds.
We also recognize that many victims/survivors of sexual assault may not access community-based crisis centers, but may be interacting and seeking support from community organizations and agencies who work with individuals with disabilities, culturally specific agencies, or with LGBTQ organizations. These organizations may reach out to your program looking for support, sexual assault services, and other resources; please know that these agencies and organizations may also access these funds when looking to provide emergency support on behalf of individuals impacted by sexual assault.
Emergency assistance may include, but is not limited to: counseling, medical assistance, rental or employment assistance, civil legal assistance or other approved expenses related to the victimization.
SASP Emergency assistance requests may be made directly to, Lacey Sinn at the Idaho Coalition. Each request will be evaluated to determine that it fits within the SASP priority areas and eligibility requirements and to ensure there is adequate emergency funding to support the request. Upon approval, reimbursement will be made directly to the program or community organization/agency for the request.
Please click here to review current SASP emergency funds guidelines for submitting a request.
If you have any questions regarding SASP Emergency Assistance Funds, how to submit a request, etc. please contact Lacey.
Lacey Sinn
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Our Collective Humanity Story Circle
Spring Series – Thursdays, April 8 and May 6
9 AM HST/12 PM PST/ 1 PM MST/ 2 PM CT/3 PM ET
It has been almost a year since we launched our first virtual story circle in April 2020. With the one-year mark of the beginning of the pandemic, it feels like this moment is one to look back and reflect. It is in this spirit of reflection that we invite you to gather in virtual beloved community from places near and far to tell our stories of the past year: our stories of grief, of community, of resilience, of hope.
Join us for our online, interactive version of Our Collective Humanity Story Circle, Thursday, April 8th and again on Thursday, May 6th at 9 AM HST/12 PM PST/1 PM MT/2 PM CT/3 PM ET for 90 minutes on Zoom.
Our Collective Humanity Story Circle is about sharing from the heart —not writing or performing. We encourage spontaneous storytelling, and for you to notice and feel the story in you that wants to be told.
What is a Story Circle?
Here is the prompt for the stories that we will share with one another during our first story circle on April 8th: Bring an object with you, that tells the story of your past year. What was something that gave you hope, or made you feel resilient or felt like an anchor for you? Think of what kept you grounded during these times: a notebook, walking shoes, a pet’s collar, a certain food, a note from a friend, flowers, vegetables from the garden, a mask, a talisman, a recipe from home, a mug, a piece of clothing, music, whatever it was that helps you tell your story of the last year.
We believe stories can be a portal to imagining better, together. By telling our stories and listening to the stories of others, we can learn about ourselves and what connects us to each other. Please forward this email to anyone who is interested creating the conditions for our collective humanity to bloom.
The Collective Humanity Story Circle is a project of the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence. This is a free, online event.
Register here.
Child Support 101
April 26 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm PST/2:00 – 4:00 pm MST
Join us for a webinar on Child Support. Child support can be a great benefit for survivors, but being involved in this system also comes with some risk. Join us to learn about how survivors can maximize the benefits and minimize the risks. The deadline to request language interpretation is April 12.
Register here.
*** ALL material orders are currently on hold, if you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out. ***
Reminder that shipping for all material orders made by Programs on the Idaho Coalition website store is FREE of cost, please use the below coupon for all orders.
Visit the online store to view current Idaho Coalition materials available for order. For store questions, please contact Lacey Sinn.
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