INVITATION TO JOIN CAVNET'S ADVISORY COMMITTEES
Do you want to work more closely with experts from around the world? Do you
want to help identify experts and materials on the subjects that interest
you the most? Do you want to talk to one another, and share research and
papers? Now you can, through CAVNET, and through our new Advisory
Committees.
CAVNET is a tax-exempt nonprofit that is essentially an online think tank
which has brought together professionals from all over the world to
collaborate and share information and resources, addressing domestic
violence, sexual assault, rape, incest, stalking, youth violence, youth
suicide, child abuse, crime victims with disabilities, and many other
issues. National and local programs, individuals, and hundreds of others use
CAVNET to share information and resources, and to work and network
collaboratively to benefit survivors. Founded and operated by the Former
Special Counsel to the Violence Against Women Office at the Justice
Department, and guided by an outstanding, international Board of Directors,
CAVNET has become a resource relied upon by professionals all over the
world, and was honored with a grant from the Ms. Foundation for Women's
Safety Program. There is no charge to join CAVNET, and you may apply online
at our website.
With our new Advisory Committees, you can network with one another more
closely --on the subjects that concern you the most. Here's how several
participants have used CAVNET already:
"I am the Domestic Violence Coordinator at the South Carolina Coalition
Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. CAVNET has been a wonderful
resource for me; I have used it to identify speakers and materials, get
information on how other coalitions handle issues, collect data, make
referrals, and keep informed about upcoming events, conferences, and policy
news. I use the CAVNET website frequently to get information that I use in
presentations and grant proposals. And some days, when I'm feeling
discouraged, I use it to remind myself how many great folks there are out
there doing this work. Thanks for all that you do!" -- Maxine Higgins
Domestic Violence Coordinator, South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic
Violence & Sexual Assault.
"As the Manager of the First Strike program of The Humane Society of the
United States, I joined CAVNET early in its development. As my program
focused on the connection between animal cruelty and various forms of human
violence, I sought to establish contacts and find resources to assist me in
sharing information with those in the human service professions. CAVNET
quickly proved to be an invaluable resource. I was not only able to share
useful information with those outside of my field, I was able to develop
mutually beneficial relationships with leaders in many of the
violence-related fields. As a result of my participation in CAVNET, I was
able to educate professionals in a variety of fields about the connection
between animal cruelty and human violence who in turn, incorporated this
knowledge into improving services for human victims of violence...." Kim
Roberts, MSW, The Humane Society of the United States.
"Cavnet has been an invaluable resource to my law students and me, allowing
us to access experts and materials not available elsewhere. To assist the
Texas Attorney General and our state's shelters in determining the extent to
which the names of shelter residents must be disclosed under open records
laws, one of my students put out a request to cavnet for any practitioners
who had dealt with this issue. In response, we heard from three states, full
of constructive advice that will guide our improved arguments to the
Attorney General. Furthermore, we were contacted by an Indian Tribe, being
investigated and possibly penalized for their refusal to turn over the names
of all victims residing in their reservation's shelter. The student shared
his brief as well as all the cavnet contacts. Since our Domestic Violence
Legal Clinic (at U of Texas Law School) tends to represent those abuse
victims with many problems (read: those nobody else will handle), we are
always seeking guidance to improve our victim's safety and ability to obtain
full legal redress. From cavnet we have gained invaluable materials and
contacts on a wide range of issues, from those regarding deaf and physically
disabled victims, to state-of-the-art batterer's intervention program
options. Repeatedly, I have found recent case decisions, new legislation and
sample legal memoranda readily available either in the daily cavnet e-mails
or on the web site. Such materials have saved my colleagues and me countless
hours of research and writing time, but more importantly, have allowed me to
access information not available elsewhere ...." Sarah Buel (Clinical
Professor at the University of Texas School of Law, who started and now
co-directs their Domestic Violence Clinic. She also co-founded and now
provides training with The National Training Center on Domestic and Sexual
Violence.)
"(I have used CAVNET) to inform the development of the National Sheriff's
Association handbook for law enforcement officers on interacting with people
with developmental disabilities (I'm on the advisory committee)...." Jane
Browning, Former Executive Director, President's Committee on Mental
Retardation
"I have found CAVNET most useful as a resource for information regarding
publications, decisions, news, legislation, etc. on issues of domestic
violence and abuse. It has been a wonderful source of information, much of
which I frequently share with other colleagues in my firm...." Gail P. Otis,
White, Inker, Aronson, P.C.,Boston
"As an attorney trying to put together another website with clear legal
information and resources for victims of domestic violence, I have used this
listserv and the website to gain an understanding of what is out there and
where the gaps are. I have been able to network and communicate about DV
issues on many levels, as well as become aware of DV issues that had escaped
my concern. CAVNET and its listserv keeps me focused and connected to a
community of dedicated people, which is critical to me. Thanks for it...."
Elizabeth Martin.Women's Law Initiative.www.WomensLaw.org
"I have used this website in much the same manner as others. The cavnet
list has saved me an enormous amount of time in researching a variety of
information I would normally have spent hours doing on the web. ... It keeps
me informed of the newest "trends" in resources, research, news coverage,
and the thoughts of those working in the field....(T)his site gives me
insight and prompts me to think. It also keeps me on the right track. As the
only one handling dv issues for this agency it is very easy to get caught in
your own little world and ignore what is going on around you. When that
happens you are not able to provide the best options to your clients. I
would also use this site to contact people on various issues I may have to
see how they have handled them. It is nice to be able to get the opinions of
others..." Heather Hall, Domestic Violence Coordinator, Massachusetts
Department of Corrections, working with Department staff on domestic
violence issues.
"I've been a subscriber to CAVNET for the past three years, and have been
extremely pleased at the quality of the service and the breadth of resources
available to subscribers. The archives of CAVNET are excellent sources of
information on everything and anything related to working in the anti
violence movement. One day recently, I used the archives to locate a set of
recent court rulings, find a set of hospital training programs around
domestic violence, and download three articles about rohypnol and other date
rape drugs. It's also an excellent resource for finding rape crisis and
domestic violence programs across the country. I am especially thankful for
CAVNET when I post a general query to the listserv and receive a number of
'expert answers' in a matter of hours-- you simply cannot replicate that
kind of 'call and response' from subscribing to a journal. CAVNET is a
service, a lifeline, and a community of the very best minds and activists in
the movement. It's worth a great deal to me, and I'd recommend it to anyone
who wants to be able to quickly access a wide variety of information without
having to find parking at the library!!!" ... Susan Marine, Violence
Prevention Coordinator, Cambridge Public Health Department.
Now, we are offering an enhancement to our services that will allow you to
network more directly with one another, on the issues you choose. Please
consider joining one or more of CAVNET's newly created Advisory Committees.
I am hopeful that you share my vision of what we can accomplish together,
and will apply to participate. As set forth in more detail below, there are
two levels of participation to choose from -- one that requires greater
participation, and one that requires very little. I have tried to keep the
cost as low as possible, in the hopes that those of you who can afford to
contribute more will do so.
Description of CAVNET's Advisory Committees:
Same Sex Violence Committee:
This Advisory Committee will address domestic violence and sexual violence
in the gay, lesbian, and transgender communities.
Women in Prison Committee:
This Committee will address battered women in prison who have killed their
abuser, as well as sexual assault and rape of women in prison, and will
collect and post information about this subject.
Rural Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Committee:
This Committee will address the needs of rural practitioners.
People with Disabilities and Criminal Justice System Committee:
This Committee will address the needs of people with disabilities, and will
provide information and resources concerning people with disabilities and
the criminal justice system.
Indigenous Women Committee:
This Committee will address the needs of women in indigenous communities,
including Indian women in the United States and Indigenous women in other
parts of the world.
Prevention and Education Committee:
This Committee will work to identify and post the best material concerning
prevention education concerning domestic violence and sexual assault, rape,
and incest.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Prosecution Committee:
This Committee will be for prosecutors and victim-witness staff of
prosecutors' offices.
Youth Violence and Youth Suicide Committee:
This Committee will identify experts and materials concerning youth violence
and youth suicide.
Civil Litigation on Behalf of Victims Committee:
Increasingly, attorneys are representing victims in civil litigation. This
Committee will bring together practitioners and identify and post
information and resources.
Custody Disputes in Domestic Violence Cases Committee:
This Committee will identify experts and materials addressing custody
disputes when domestic violence is alleged.
Animal Abuse Committee:
This Committee will bring together experts and materials addressing the
relationship between animal abuse and domestic violence and sexual violence.
Elder Abuse Committee:
This Committee will address abuse of the elderly.
Child Abuse Committee:
This Committee will bring together experts and materials on child abuse.
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault Committee:
This Committee will bring together experts and materials concerning
drug-facilitated sexual assault and rape.
International Participants Committee:
This Committee will bring together CAVNET participants from outside the
United States.
Sexual Violence on Campus Committee:
According to the Justice Department, about 3 percent of college women
experience a completed and/or attempted rape during a typical college year,
and about 13 percent of college women had been stalked since the beginning
of the school year. (See document number 2089 on CAVNET's database/website).
This Committee will bring together information, resources, and expertise on
this issue.
Trafficking in Women Committee:
This Committee will provide resources intended to protect and promote
respect for the human rights of individuals who have been victims of
trafficking, including those who have been subjected to involuntary
servitude, forced labor and/or slavery-like practices.
Child Protective Services and Domestic Violence Committee:
This Committee will provide information and resources concerning the role of
child protective services agencies when domestic violence is alleged.
Legal Memos and Briefs Committee:
Many attorneys and advocates are in need of legal research. This Committee
will provide briefs and memos drafted by attorneys throughout the United
States.
Legislation Committee:
There has been a great deal of legislative activity over the past few years
addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and rape, sex offenders,
battered women on welfare, battered immigrant women, resources for shelters,
and many other issues affecting women, gays and lesbians, and people with
disabilities. This Committee will explore these legislative efforts, on
state and federal, and international levels.
Stalking Committee:
Stalking laws are a recent phenomenon, brought about by a realization that
the persistent harassment of a woman through phone calls, letters, and other
acts which repeatedly force the victim to have contact with the perpetrator
is a serious, often life-threatening series of events which must be taken
seriously by law enforcement. This Committee will seek to provide education
about this crime, and identify resources with which to combat it.
Battered Immigrant Women Committee:
Prior to the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), immigrant
women who were subjected to abuse suffered the additional difficulty of
being held hostage to their citizen-spouse --- if they reported the abuse,
they faced the risk that their spouse would not sponsor them for American
citizenship. This Committee will provide information about battered
immigrant women.
The Role of the Religious Community Committee:
Members of the religious community play a vital role in ending domestic
violence. By assisting their community in identifying resources, and by
publicly and privately speaking out, members of the religious community can
assist survivors and change attitudes. Many resources now exist to enable
survivors and advocates to get help and guidance from members of the
religious community. This Committee will provide information and resources
to members of the religious community and to those seeking their assistance
and guidance.
Please feel free to suggest other Advisory Committees.
Your Role As An Advisory Committee Member:
As an Advisory Committee member, you will be part of a carefully selected
group of professionals networking with one another, developing and sharing
an online repository of information and materials on the Committees'
subjects and identifying and inviting other professionals. Also, at least
once a month, you will be given an opportunity to attend an online
voice-enabled meeting to discuss this subject with other Advisory Committee
members, using Paltalk (www.paltalk.com), and an opportunity to participate
in telephone conferences with other Committee members.
Online meetings will be held at a regularly scheduled time at least once a
month, and participants will get together online and discuss whatever they
want regarding the Committee's work. We will also hold conference calls on
the telephone. The online forums will be able to discuss matters with one
another in real time, talking to one another free of charge from anywhere in
the world, using a microphone and speakers or a headset. The online meetings
will be for Committee members only, and will be password protected.
Participants will be able to communicate with one another through real time
voice conferencing, as well as by group text. Those of you with video
cameras will be able to see one another. In addition, participants will be
able to share documents with one another, easily and quickly. We will also
hold forums, and invited guests and participants will share information
about the Committee's subject. Some of these forums will be invitation-only,
and password-protected, and others will be open to the public. Some will
specifically involve survivors. Last year, using this format, we served over
5,000 survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, incest and
stalking in our online forums.
I recognize that people have many other time commitments, and that some may
not be able to commit to yet another task. Nevertheless, the value of
networking with other experts addressing the various issues highlighted by
the Committees, and creating an online repository of materials, cannot be
overstated. In light of this, I have developed two levels of participation
on the Committees, to meet these concerns. There will be a charge to become
involved in the Committees � the more work you are able to do, the lower the
cost, as set forth below. The less work you do, the greater the cost. I will
provide some scholarships as well. The cost will be $50 or $125 a year,
depending upon the level of participation you choose, and your agency or
organization may join as many Committees as you want without additional
cost. I urge you to ask your respective agency or organization to fund your
participation. To reduce your costs, you may sign up as many as 10 people
from your agency or organization for each payment of either $50 or $125
(depending on which level of participation you choose, as set forth below).
Costs:
All contributions to CAVNET are tax-deductible, so if your agency or
organization can afford to contribute more, please consider doing so, so
that we can subsidize rural practitioners and so that we may continue to
grow.
$50 a year:
Requirements:
1. You agree to post at least two postings a month to the CAVNET
database/website on the Committee's subject. The items can be links to
documents on your own websites, conference announcements, speeches, links to
sites you like, resources, or anything else you feel would be valuable to
share with others. Take a look at the Issues Directory on the CAVNET site
and you will see examples.
2. You agree to solicit the participation of at least two other
professionals to join CAVNET, each month. I will provide you with a letter
setting forth an invitation to join CAVNET;
3. You agree to share your contact information with other Committee members;
4. You agree to download and install the Paltalk program (available online
for free at www.paltalk.com), and participate at least once a month in a
password-protected discussion group with other Committee members;
5. You agree to participate at least once a month in a telephone conference
call with other Committee members.
6. You agree to link to CAVNET's website.
$125 a year:
Requirements:
If you want to take advantage of being on a Committee, and benefit from the
networking, conferences, and materials, but anticipate that your time
commitments will prevent you from participating as much as others, and that
you will not be able to post or solicit new members, I still want you to
apply to be on the Committees of your choice. That way you will be able to
enhance the work of the Committee when you can spare the time, perhaps be a
guest speaker, and otherwise help out when you can. You will also be given
access to the Committee's archives. The cost of this level of participation
is an additional $75 a year, for a total of $125 a year (approximately $10 a
month).
Please let me know if you would like other Committees to be formed, and if
you would be willing to participate. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please feel free to call me at 202-255-0202 or submit an application to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Application
Please complete and return the application to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Upon
notification of your acceptance as an Advisory Committee member, please
either pay online or make a check out to CAVNET, Inc., and mail it to Marc
Dubin, Executive Director, at 2711 Ordway Street NW, #111, Washington, DC
20008.
Name
Address
Phone
Fax
Email
Website
Employment
Agency/Organization
Contact person and contact information
Names, titles and contact information of each participant
Committee(s) desired
Level of Participation Desired � ($50 or $125 level)
Description of background and expertise relating to the Committee(s)
desired.
Thank you.
Marc
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
202-255-0202 (cell phone)
202-307-6075 (office)
202-262-4876 (home)
For information on ending violence against women, please visit www.cavnet.org
To make a tax-deductible contribution to CAVNET, please make your check out
to CAVNET and mail it to Marc Dubin, Executive Director, 2711 Ordway Street
NW, #111, Washington, DC 20008, or use a credit card online.
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