Summer of 2018 was kicked off by some truly inspiring advocacy when ICADV sent me to Capitol Hill in early June to advocate with nearly 100 of my peers for continued funding for our programs. Every year, territory and state coalition advocates from across the country join us in DC for our Advocacy Day Conference. We use our collective voice to talk to Members of Congress about the importance of funding and legislation that will help end domestic violence. The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV) hosted attorney, executive directors, and policymakers from nearly every state and tribal coalition June 11-12 and after a couple of days of energizing meetings and network, we descended on Capitol Hill for “Advocacy Day” on June 13th.
Kim Gandy (NNEDV), Kerry Hyatt Bennett (ICADV), and Robert Sanford (Nebraska Coalition)
I was fortunate to meet with nearly all of Indiana’s Congressional Leadership to discuss and emphasize the critical importance of continued reauthorization and funding of the programs that make our work possible: the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA), the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA). Additionally, i had a chance to brag about ICADV and its leadership in the area of service provision to male survivors.
On social media, we were ablaze with nearly 500 tweets and 200 contributors under #NNEDVAD18. A Congressional Reception topped it off and I was able to make some great connections with our Indiana members of Congress. One thing I know for sure: when we call, they listen. So keep up the strong advocacy work and stay tuned for more Action Alerts!
– Kerry Hyatt Bennett
ICADV Legal Counsel
