Press Releases

For Journalists

Check out Jane Doe Inc.’s: Domestic Violence Homicide Media Guide

This guide aims to help reporters, copywriters, headline writers, and editors with coverage of domestic violence homicides. The media has increasingly gotten out the message that domestic violence is a crime and that help is available for victims. It's essential that these cases are portrayed in context and not only as individual tragedies. Much of the guide is also applicable to general coverage of sexual and domestic violence, stalking, and other forms of abuse.

JDI would like to acknowledge the input of journalists, law enforcement, advocates, and survivors in drafting this resource.

Stories of Hope: YWCA of Greater Lawrence

Maria's Story from YWCA of Greater Lawrence.

“Maria,” age 28, and the mother of three, was an undocumented immigrant who came to Lawrence from Guatemala and was being physically abused by her partner. Because she feared deportation, she was reluctant to report the abuse. Through word of mouth, Maria learned about the YWCA of Greater Lawrence and its bilingual Court Advocates. A YWCA Advocate, one of two working full-time in offices in the building that houses the Lawrence District Court, helped Maria to obtain a U Visa, for undocumented aliens experiencing domestic abuse. Knowing she would not be deported gave Maria the courage to obtain a restraining order and file charges against her abuser. Her partner is now in jail. Maria is working – legally, obtained permanent housing and is working toward obtaining permanent residency status. She and her children no longer live in fear.

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Support Our Work

"We need to wake people up to the attitudes and actions that continue to keep victims at risk and our cities, towns and cultural communities unsafe." ~ Paulo Pinto, MPA, Executive Director, MAPS - Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers

Media Center

Domestic and sexual violence, stalking, sexual harassment, human trafficking and other forms of abuse thrive on silence. The media plays an important role in breaking the silence about social issues such as violence against women. By ensuring that the coverage accurately reflects the experience of victims and the dynamics of sexual and domestic violence, the media helps educate people about the steps they or someone they know can take to stop domestic violence on a personal, organizational, policy, and community level.

Current Press Releases

Getting The Story Out

We recognize that every minute counts when you´re on deadline. In your coverage of sexual and domestic violence issues/incidents, the expertise and resources of JDI and its statewide network of 60 local sexual and domestic violence programs can help you save time, reduce legwork, ensure accuracy, and get your story out there quickly.

We will make every effort to assist you in:

Obtaining comment from Coalition leaders
Interviewing crime victims and family members willing to speak to the media
Finding local sexual and domestic violence programs and other local, state, and national experts
Explaining the range of free and confidential services available through the local programs
Providing general information & up-to-date facts, statistics, and graphics
Dispelling common myths about sexual and domestic violence
Offering background on state and federal sexual and domestic violence laws pertaining to protection orders, probable cause arrest, firearms, child custody, stalking, address confidentiality, crime victims rights, and more
Detailing ways the general public can help someone who is a sexual and/or domestic violence victim or abuser
Identifying resources and hotlines for people seeking help with sexual and/or domestic violence

Contact

Toni K. Troop, Director of Communications
ttroop@janedoe.org
Business Hours: 617-557-1807
Nights/Weekends: 617-212-7571

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