Support Our Work
"Educating our communities and elected officials about the needs of survivors in our local cities and towns requires year round focus. JDI is our pathway to informing and influencing the state and national agenda to end sexual and domestic violence." ~ Karen Cavanaugh, JDI board member and Executive Director of Womanshelter/Companeras, pictured here with a JDI delegation meeting with Congressman Niki Tsongas
Outcome of Senate FY2014 Budget
May 24, 2013
- Senate adopted one of two amendments for increased funding for services. Our attention now turns to the Conference Committee for the final opportunity to advocate for funding in the state's Fiscal Year 2014 budget.
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Senate FY2014 Budget Debate Begins
May 21, 2013
- As the Massachusetts Senate prepares to take up the Fiscal Year 2014 budget debate on May 22, JDI continues to advocate for increased funding for sexual and domestic violence services. Keep those calls and emails going!
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EVERY DOLLAR COUNTS - Senate Ways & Means Proposal FY2014
May 20, 2013
- The Senate Ways & Means Committee budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2014 does not adequately fund sexual and domestic violence services and programs. Your calls are needed now!
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House Budget Status
April 29, 2013
- Through the House budget debate process, we made forward progress from the initial levels proposed by the House Ways and Means Committee. But there is much work to be done as the Senate takes up their budget process in order to secure much needed funding for sexual and domestic violence services.
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JDI leads advocacy for FY2014 State Budget
April 1, 2013
- Restore, stabilize and bring parity is the message of JDI's budget advocacy efforts for increased state funding. Add your voice.
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VAWA Reathorized, Finally!
February 28, 2013
- After the substitute bill proposed by the House Leadership failed by a vote of 257 to 166, the inclusive bipartisan version of VAWA passed by a vote of 286 to 138.
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VAWA Reauthorization Reintroduced
January 23, 2013
- JDI gears up for passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) in 2013. Staunch advocates last session and long time friends of our work, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) and U.S. Representatives Gwen Moore (D-WI) and John Conyers (D-MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize VAWA.
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Firearm Policy Reform: Act Now!
January 16, 2013
- JDI is gearing up to support proposals for firearm related policies on the state and federal level. Access to firearms is a tremendous risk factor in cases of sexual and domestic violence. Add your voice as we advocate for sensible, informed and life-saving policies and practices.
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Protection Need for Itemized Charitable Donation Deduction
December 19, 2012
- JDI has joined with hundreds of other non-profit organizations in Massachusetts and around the country to urge Congress not to cap or eliminate the itemized charitable deduction as part of a deal to avert the fiscal cliff. Please take a moment to contact your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representatives and urge them to protect this deduction—a unique and cherished incentive for Americans to invest directly in important community needs. The direct impact on nonprofits in Massachusetts such as JDI would be devastating.
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19 Days to Reathorize VAWA
November 28, 2012
- There are only 19 days left to pass VAWA before the House recesses on December 16! We must pass a strong, bi-partisan Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that supports ALL victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Leadership from Massachusetts Delegation can make the difference!
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VAWA Action November 2012
November 16, 2012
- While the elections are over, our advocacy continues! From the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) to the housing discrimination and employment leave bills, we hope we can count on you to help push for these proposals before the federal and state legislative sessions end for the year.
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Elections 2012: What's at stake for victims & survivors
November 3, 2012
- What does this election have to do with sexual and domestic violence issues? Everything!! When you go to the poll next week, we hope you’ll keep in mind what the outcome of these elections will mean for victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence and their children.
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Pet Restraining Order Passes
August 3, 2012
- JDI applauds Legislature for passing and Governor Patrick for signing animal control law that includes abuse protection clause. This law creates an added tool for individuals who are trying to escape an abusive situation and have concerns for the safety and care of family pets.
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FY2012 Legislative Session Ends
August 1, 2012
- JDI's 2 priority bills didn't pass the finish line during last night's final formal legislative session for the year. The proposals for housing protections and employment leave for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and stalking did receive a lot of support and are poised for consideration in the coming months.
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Housing Bill passes Senate today! Now we must pass it in the House!
July 30, 2012
- The Massachusetts Senate passed a modified version of the housing protections for victims of sexual and domestic violence bill. This legislation is one of JDI's top priorities. The Coalition is pushing on all cylinders to see the bill pass the House before the session ends.
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FY13 State Budget Signed
July 9, 2012
- Funding for sexual and domestic violence services saw slight increase in the FY2013 State Budget signed by Governor Patrick.
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2011: Policy Year in Review
June 5, 2012
- Across the Commonwealth as well as the nation, a lagging economy continued to impact families and the human service and advocacy organizations striving to help them. With this backdrop, Jane Doe Inc. and our member programs redoubled our efforts to meet the needs of victims and survivors of sexual and domestic violence and to promote opportunities for prevention. Our efforts paid off as Massachusetts made progress in increasing needed supports and funding and reforming policy.
Read more about our budget and legislative victories and progress in our systems advocacy work.
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VAWA Reauthorization In Trouble
May 16, 2012
- US House of Representatives adopted weakened version of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) on May 16, 2012. Advocates concerned about impact.
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JDI Opposes Start of Secure Communities
May 15, 2012
- JDI joined with MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy) Coalition and others to oppose the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) implementation of "Secure Communities" in Massachusetts that began on May 15, 2012. JDI asks who exactly will be more "secure" under this provision that jeopardizes the safety of sexual and domestic violence victims.
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VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) Compromised in House Version (5/8/2012)
May 14, 2012
- On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the House Judiciary Committee passed H.R. 4970, a bill that would severely weaken the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Victim advocates have grave concerns about this legislation which contains changes to current law that will endanger many victims and excludes protections for specific victims. We must now turn our efforts to the full House of Representatives in order to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that improves safety for victims. The vote could be as early as next week, so now is the time for Representatives to hear from you.
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FY13 Budget Amendments
April 17, 2012
- The House Ways & Means Budget Recommendations for FY2013 fell short of restoring this critical funding fully. The following three budget amendments will bring funding levels back up to FY2009.
Contact your State Representative today and ask for his/her support of all three amendments!
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JDI Advocacy Day April 10, 2012
March 29, 2012
- JDI and its members will be on Beacon Hill to advocate for funding to support the life-saving and life-changing services provided by community-based sexual and domestic violence programs. To help launch the day, JDI will release recent data on Massachusetts from three national studies that illustrate that the levels of sexual violence, rape and intimate partner violence are epidemic in Massachusetts and around the country.
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Employment Leave Bill Gains Traction
January 6, 2012
- After many years of advocacy, this might be the year when the Employment Leave Bill passes. The Senate has scheduled a vote for Thursday, January 12. Calls are needed now!
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Reauthorize VAWA
January 4, 2012
- JDI and our allies on the national level are kicking off the year with a push to make 2012 the year that we will pass VAWA reauthorization!
We can’t do this without your help. Thanks to you and the thousands of people who have taken action, mobilized their networks and worked so hard, VAWA has continued to be one of the most significant pieces of federal legislation to support victims, hold offenders accountable and work toward the prevention of sexual and domestic violence. Take a minute to make a call, send a tweet and push for re-authorization of this life-changing and life-saving legislation
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Reauthorize VAWA, the Violence Against Women Act!
December 8, 2011
- The Violence Against Women Act is due for reauthorization. Our wonderful Senate champions, Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Mike Crapo (R-ID), introduced a bipartisan bill, S. 1925, on Wednesday (11/30/11) to reauthorize and improve VAWA!
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