Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

MCADSV's priority legislation to close the domestic violence firearm loophole gained historic momentum during the 2021 Missouri legislative session. For the first time, the issue was debated for hours on the Senate floor. Additionally, HB 473 unanimously passed out of House committee in a bipartisan vote. "There were 37 domestic violence-related homicides in Missouri in 2018, according to data from the Missouri State Highway Patrol compiled by the Missouri Coalition Against D...omestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV). Of those, 71 percent involved a firearm." #WeChangeLawsWeChangeLives https://themissouritimes.com/missouri-lawmakers-gained-tra/

"I chose to get my COVID-19 vaccine because I wanted to do what I could to help keep my community safe and healthy. Also, I missed hugs and shopping." - Nora Mosby, Member Services Specialist

Without safe and reliable transportation, many who want the COVID-19 vaccine might be struggling to access it. Ride-sharing companies, Lyft and Uber, will be offering free rides to vaccination sites in order to increase access. "People who want to use the program would need to select a vaccination site near them and then redeem the companies' offer of a free ride. The two ride-sharing firms will promote the offer in their apps." https://www.npr.org//uber-and-lyft-will-give-free-rides-to

"I chose to get my COVID-19 vaccine because I trust science, believe in public health, and consider getting vaccinated part of my civic duty. Also, I really miss going out to brunch." - Matthew Huffman, Public Affairs Director

Yesterday was historic for the Missouri General Assembly and MCADSV. The Senate debated for hours whether to pass a domestic violence misdemeanor firearm prohibition. Closing the domestic violence firearm loophole is vital to the safety of survivors and preventing homicide. #ClosetheDVGunLoophole https://media.senate.mo.gov/DebateArch//051321/051321I.mp3

May 5 is the Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. Today, MCADSV staff wear red to bring awareness to the violence perpetuated against our Indigenous sisters. Indigenous women and girls face high rates of domestic and sexual violence, and are at a high risk for being trafficked or murdered. In 2019, MCADSV released our publication Rape and Abuse Against Native American/Indigenous People in Missouri. This resource is available for free for membe...r agencies. In some parts of southwest Missouri, Native Americans make up more than 3 percent of the population. Because many Native people identify as multiracial, the population might actually be higher in some areas. Nevertheless, the population of Native and Indigenous communities in Missouri is lower than the national averagea fact directly attributed to this state’s history and generations of social, political and economic oppression. https://www.niwrc.org//feb/mmiwg-2021-national-week-action #MMIWGActionNow #NoMoreStolenSisters #MMIWG

Yesterday, the Missouri General Assembly passed MCADSV's priority legislation, SB 71. This bill changes Missouri's Order of Protection laws. It extends the duration of protection orders from two years up to the lifetime of the respondent, includes pets in protection orders, and updates the stalking definition to include the use of technology and third parties. We are grateful to the bill sponsors, Sen. Gannon, Rep. Roberts and Sen. Holly Rehder for their leadership to expand needed protections for survivors. #WeChangeLawsWeChangeLives

"I chose to get my COVID-19 vaccine because I want to spend time with immunocompromised family members and friends. I haven't seen them for over a year. I also want to feel safer while traveling, which is something my family loves to do together!" - Natalie Smith, Office Manager

Missouri has the second-highest rate of men killing women in the country according to the Violence Policy Center’s most recent study analyzing unpublished FBI crime data from 2018. The trend that emerges from data collected by state and national government entities, national resource centers and peer-reviewed academic research is clear, said Matthew Huffman, public affairs director for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Women face the greatest threat from someone they know, most often a spouse or other intimate acquaintance, who is armed with a gun. https://www.columbiamissourian.com//article_b25c76d4-a94b-

Perpetrators often use technology to engage in stalking and other abusive behaviors. The National Network Against Domestic Violence has resources to assist survivors in staying safe from technology abuse. Go to https://nnedv.org/content/technology-safety/ to view their resources and toolkit.

"We involve men to be a part of the conversation, and the reason why we call it men as allies is because this is an allyship relationship. I don't need you to be the voice for women that hasn't worked. I don't need women to be at the front and you guys sitting in the back we've done that for hundreds, probably thousands of years I need you beside me." Elizabeth Herrera Eichenberger, the Executive Director of MCADSV member program True North of Columbia, was featured on Missouri Health Talks where she spoke about the importance of men being allies in the movement against domestic and sexual violence. https://www.kbia.org//men-allies-against-domestic-violence

Every time we see that someone died at the hands of their partners, that’s something we could’ve stopped, as a society, Ms. Bush said. Missouri Congresswoman Cori Bush, and others, open up about their experiences as survivors of domestic violence and the role coercive control plays in keeping survivors in dangerous situations. https://www.nytimes.com//cori-bush-fka-twigs-coercive-cont

57 member agencies and allied organizations in Missouri have joined us in signing a letter with other state, national and tribal organizations urging Congress to act now. Contact Missouri’s federal delegation and let them know: Don't let VOCA go over the cliff. Include #VOCAfix in the omnibus appropriations bill. Look up contact info for elected officials here: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials

The impact of stalking on survivors can be debilitating, and many survivors never feel safe. Visit our website at mocadsv.org to find services in your area or information about how to get help.

ACTION ALERT: We must let Congress know victims can’t wait! The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), a major funding source for domestic violence, sexual assault and other victim service providers is facing MASSIVE, immediate cuts and even more drastic cuts in the future if Congress doesn’t act now. Let your U.S. Representatives and Senators know, we need Congress to act now to include the #VOCAfix in the budget deal! #Crisis4Victims

Meet our staff AND help us welcome the newest member of our team: Megan Owens is our new Public Information Associate at MCADSV. Megan wears a mask not only to help protect herself and her family, but out of respect for her community. #MaskUpMO

We were proud to nominate Lisa Saylor for the Visionary Voice Award. Lisa’s advocacy and willingness to share her story has made a huge impact for survivors in Missouri. We’re also proud of the work of our member agency, Harmony House, for the incredible work they are doing in Greene County. Survivors like Lisa have assisted MCADSV in our work with legislators to enhance legal protections for survivors and increase accountability for perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. https://www.news-leader.com//missouri-domestic/4140329001/

We had a fantastic annual membership meeting this morning. Thank you to all of the advocates who were able to attend, and to all the advocates who participated in our Spirt Week leading up to today. We might not have been able to meet in person this year, but we were still in community together via Zoom. Special congrats to the folks who won MCADSV merch and 40th anniversary swag! #MCADSVturns40

Today is the last day to participate in our 40th anniversary Spirit Week before our annual meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. Our last theme is classic and timeless Throwback Thursday! Comment with pictures from past MCADSV conferences your old nametags, conference swag, selfies with other advocates any memories of previous conferences. For advocates at member agencies, include the name of the agency you work at, for your last chance to win 40th anniversary items for your whole agency, and a specialty item from our store. #MCADSVturns40