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12/18/2019 11:01 PM

Women & Family Life Center Hosted 2nd Annual Legislative Roundtable on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault


Legislators representing shoreline constituencies took part in the second annual Legislative Roundtable on Dec. 4 at the Women & Family Life Center. Photo courtesy of Wendy O. DeLucca

On Dec. 4, Connecticut shoreline legislators joined Women & Family Life Center (WFLC) for the second annual Legislative Roundtable. Moderated by WFLC, the conversation engaged local legislators and shoreline community service providers on how state legislation can support the work of helping individuals and families facing domestic violence or sexual assault. The event brought together close to 50 community members and six legislators, representing five house districts and one senate district.

Attendees included State Senator Christine Cohen (D-12) and state representatives Christine Palm (D-36), Vincent Candelora (R-86), Sean Scanlon (D-98), Noreen Kokoruda (R-101), and Robin Comey (D-102).

“Many different voices joined together, sharing a commitment to serving our community,” said WFLC Executive Director Meghan Scanlon. “We talked about very specific community needs and suggested legislative responses to those needs.”

Since 2010, WFLC has led the Shoreline Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Talk Force (SDVSATF). This group consists of non-profit agencies, municipal offices, and local mental health professionals whose mission is to provide education, coordinate resources and aid in the prevention of domestic violence and sexual assault in communities along the shoreline.

WFLC created the discussion agenda in consultation with member agencies. Topics included how victims of domestic violence access state-funded assistance programs (such as SNAP and Care4Kids); frequency of offenders’ multiple violations of protective orders and Court responses; Erin’s Law (Public Act 196) and implementation of a prevention-oriented sexual abuse awareness curriculum in public schools; the Senate Bill 693 (Session Year 2019) recommendation that legislators reintroduce “An Act Concerning Additional Housing Protections for a Victim of Family Violence or Sexual Assault”; and the Senate Bill 16 (Session Year 2019) recommendation that legislators reintroduce “An Act Prohibiting an Unauthorized Pelvic Examination on a Female Patient Who is Under Deep Sedation or Anesthesia or Unconscious.”

Legislators invited to this discussion included all those representing the 16 towns of Branford, Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Durham, East Haven, East Lyme, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Madison, North Branford, North Haven, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook.

For more information about WFLC and its programs, visit womenandfamilylife.org or call 203-458-6699.