Dear Colleagues and Friends,

We are requesting your support and participation in an important effort to advocate for change in state policy to allow fair access to civil orders of protection in New York State.

Currently, many victims of violence in our state cannot obtain a civil order of protection because they do not have access to the Court that grants them – New York’s Family Court.  Current law limits access to Family Court to “members of the same family or household” which is defined as people who are married, divorced, related by blood or marriage, or have children in common.

This limited access prevents many other victims of violence and abuse from obtaining the safety provided by a civil order of protection.  For example, the exclusion impacts unmarried victims who are living with or dating their abuser, victims who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, victims who are elderly and youth who are victims of teen dating violence.

These victims often go without protection because, currently, the only other option is to involve law enforcement and hope that the abuser will be prosecuted and an order of protection granted by the Criminal Court.  This is not an option for many victims, especially given the very real risk of increased violence from their abuser if law enforcement becomes involved.

To remedy this injustice, we are launching the New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court to change state policy and allow fair access to civil orders of protection in New York State.  We are asking you to join us in this effort.

2008 will be the 20^th year that anti-violence advocates and allies have been working to convince the State Legislature to make this change.  Over the years, the Assembly has passed legislation that helps address the issue; however, due to the lack of action by the Senate, this inequity has endured for more than two decades.  We must force the Legislature and the Governor to resolve this injustice and we need your help to do that.

Please join the New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court.

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The New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court has been formed to win full access for survivors of violence to civil orders of protection.  The Coalition seeks to include voices of advocates, activists, survivors, and community members throughout New York State.

The Coalition will strategize and implement a multi-faceted effort.  Planning meetings are being organized to take place in New York City and upstate.  There are four subcommittees for statewide activities, including Media; Public Demonstration; Legislative; and Awareness.  Activities will include building media attention; direct action; in-district and Albany-based advocacy meetings with State Legislators; letter-writing; petitions and email campaigns; and more.

Please print and fill out the form below to demonstrate your support by joining New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court.  Joining alone helps this effort, even if you will not be able to commit a large amount of time.  E-mail the completed form to sfluke@sffny.org or fax it to (212) 349-6810.

It will take the combined voices of all of us working together to protect victims of violence in New York State.

Thank you in advance for your support and action on this request.

Sincerely,

The New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court Steering Committee:

Day One

Empire Justice Center

Joint Public Affairs Committee for Older Adults (JPAC)

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Sanctuary for Families

The New York City Gay & Lesbian Anti-Violence Project

Urban Justice Center

New York Statewide Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court Sign-up Form

(Please complete and email to sfluke@sffny.org or fax to (212) 349-6810)

Please include us/me as a member of the NYS Coalition for Fair Access to Family Court.

Your Name:  _________________________________________________

Your Title:     _________________________________________________

Organization:  ________________________________________________

Choose:        Organizational Membership          or        Individual Membership

Address:  ____________________________________________________

City, State, Zip:  _______________________________________________

E-Mail:  ______________________________________________________

Phone:  _______________________          FAX:  _______________________

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  ____   I am interested in joining the following Subcommittee(s):

Legislative     Awareness     Public Demonstration     Media

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If you know of another organization we should ask to join this effort, please list them:

Name:  ______________________________________

Title:   _______________________________________

Organization:  _________________________________

Address:  _____________________________________

City, State, Zip:_________________________________

E-Mail:  ______________________________________

Phone:  ______________  Fax:___________________