Listening to Survivors Matters
Rappaport panelists share policy reform efforts that center the voices and experiences of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors. The Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy recently welcomed 2025 Senior Fellow Hema Sarang-Sieminski, who delivered a...
A year later, search continues for Mass. veteran suspected of killing wife
Family of Breanne Pennington, a mother of four fatally shot by her husband, Aaron, is still hoping he'll be found — and they want to shine a light on domestic violence: "Breanne had called for help" By Anika Hope and Alysha Palumbo Tuesday marks one year since Breanne...
What are the warning signs of domestic violence? Here’s what experts say to look for.
By Jeremy C. Fox Globe Staff There are often warning signs of abuse in an intimate partner or family relationship that can foreshadow more extreme brutality to come, advocates for survivors of domestic violence said in the wake of a weekend double homicide and suicide...
Boston Police warn of drink spiking as colleges get back in session
By Marilyn Schairer, GBH September 09, 2024 Last week as many Boston area college and university students got ready to celebrate their first weekend of the school year, they also got a reminder: Stay safe. The Boston Police Department issued a community alert about...
Hema Sarang-Sieminski Named Next Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Harry Shipps, harry@ninetywest.com Hema Sarang-Sieminski Named Next Executive Director of Jane Doe Inc. Boston, July 31 – Today, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, announced...
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey Signs Coercive Control Bill Into Law
PUBLISHED 6/20/2024 by LISA ARONSON FONTES A new bill signed into law on Thursday cracks down on coercive control by domestic abusers and bans revenge pornography in Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey during 2023 Massachusetts Conference for Women on Dec. 14,...
Massachusetts lawmakers unanimously vote to criminalize revenge porn
Dominique Farrell, GBH June 13, 2024 Updated June 14, 2024 The Massachusetts Senate voted 38-0 to criminalize what’s known as revenge porn, the sharing of intimate or sexually-explicit images without the subject’s consent. The vote follows the unanimous approval of...
Massachusetts on verge of becoming second-to-last state to outlaw ‘revenge porn’
BY STEVE LEBLANC Updated 6:47 PM EDT, June 13, 2024 BOSTON (AP) — A bill aimed at outlawing “revenge porn” has been approved by lawmakers in the Massachusetts House and Senate and shipped to Democratic Gov. Maura Healey, a move advocates say was long overdue. If...
Huntington News: State legislature to consider bill protecting victims of revenge porn
By Alyssa Enright, news correspondent May 4, 2024 The exterior of the Massachusetts State House. Bill H.4241 was introduced during this year’s state legislative session. Photo by Harriet Rovniak. Massachusetts is currently one of two states without any protections for...
Single homeless women in Massachusetts are invisible while facing overlapping challenges
Ruihan Yang Boston University Statehouse Program After years of being homeless, Amy “adapted” to living on the streets under insecurity. “I thought I wasn’t going to wake up, but I woke up, and I’m fine. The more I feel adapted to staying outside without a person that...
