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Dear Supporter,
July was a productive month for NNEDV, from the passage of the historic VOCA Fix legislation to our hosting a successful Tech Summit (more on both below). The passage of VOCA Fix is a massive victory for the field and one of NNEDV’s top legislative priorities. This victory has energized NNEDV as we continue to advocate for more resources for programs and increased protections for survivors. We also hosted our 9th annual Tech Summit. The Summit is a reminder of the power technology—when used for good it can connect communities, help movement leaders organize and advocate, and increase safety for all. This newsletter highlights how NNEDV uses technology for advocacy, information sharing, and supporting survivors, while we also work to stop tech-facilitated abuse.  |
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President Biden Signs the VOCA Fix in White House Ceremony
President Joseph Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and sponsors of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (H.R. 1652)
at White House bill signing on July 22, 2021. In case you missed it, last week, NNEDV celebrated the passage, and signing, of the VOCA Fix to Sustain the Crime Victims Fund Act of 2021 (“VOCA Fix”). We continue to celebrate this tremendous and life-saving victory for survivors, programs, and advocates. I often speak about the importance of collective action to bring about positive change. The passage of VOCA Fix is a reflection of that. It was through years of advocacy and grassroots organizing with our state and territorial coalitions, national partners, local programs, and people like you that the VOCA Fix was passed. This year, over 1,100 people used our action alerts to send emails and tweets to their Members of Congress about this issue. Your voice is critical to our success. Thank you for your advocacy. 
NNEDV attended the VOCA Fix bill signing at White House. Photo 1: President Biden and NNEDV President and CEO Deborah J. Vagins. Photo 2: (left to right) Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), NNEDV Director of Public Policy Monica McLaughlin, and Congresswoman Lucy McBath (GA-06). The passage of the VOCA Fix is only the beginning. We now turn our attention to reauthorizing the Violence Against Women Act. With your support and advocacy, we can make it happen. Learn more about the passage of the VOCA Fix | Watch the VOCA Fix bill signing |
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Exploring the Intersection of Abuse and Technology at
Virtual Tech Summit
 Our Safety Net team wrapped up a great Technology Summit last week. This was our 9th annual Tech Summit and second year going virtual. We were thrilled to welcome more than 630 attendees from across the country and world, including 43 states, three territories, and six countries. Each year, Tech Summit hosts pivotal conversations about emerging issues at the intersection of tech and domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Advocates, legal professionals, privacy experts, and technologists come together each year to help improve our response to tech abuse, support survivors, and to harness tech for the good of survivors and communities. Learn more about this year's event | Read NNEDV’s #TechSummit21 tweets |
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Learn About Custody and Restraining Orders through
WomensLaw's Online Information Clinics
 The costs of legal services can be a barrier to the safety of survivors, with many forced to navigate complicated legal issues on their own. Through WomensLaw, NNEDV works to bridge the gap for thousands of survivors who cannot afford the legal support they need to escape abuse. Prioritizing accessibility, survivors in need of information can find state-specific, plain-language legal information in English and Spanish on their computers and phones. Each year, thousands of people reach out to the WomensLaw Email Hotline in need of personalized information and anonymous support around issues related to the law and domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. WomensLaw is always looking to improve access to critical legal information through technology. In May and June of this year, WomensLaw held a series of Online Information Clinics (OICs) focused on custody and provided survivors with an opportunity for free direct access to lawyers to ask questions about custody, domestic violence, and related topics. The September 2021 OICs focused on restraining orders. You can watch the OIC videos here. If you or a loved one have questions about custody, restraining orders, or other related topics, please visit WomensLaw.org or reach out to our Email Hotline. Watch the Online Information Clinic videos | Donate to WomensLaw |
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Teens and Technology: Safety, Privacy, and Empowerment
 Safety Net has added a new resource to their Technology Safety and Privacy Toolkit for Survivors on Teens and Technology. While technology provides new opportunities and chances to connect with people around the world, it is also important to be aware of how to protect your privacy and safety. For any parent, guardian, or professional working with a teen or young adult, it’s also important to understand how technology can impact their privacy and safety, and how to empower teens to use technology safely. Technology abuse is increasingly a regular pattern within teen dating abuse, which affects a large number of teens and young adults. Our resource gives an overview of tech misuse within the context of teen dating and provides guidance on how to engage teens impacted by tech misuse. By focusing on building connections, establishing trust, and remaining survivor-centered, you can empower teens to make informed decisions around tech use. Read Teens and Technology: Safety, Privacy, and Empowerment |
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Link Roundup: NNEDV in the News In case you missed it, NNEDV was recently featured in the following articles …
- USA Today: “Abuse is an intentional pattern of behavior intended to help one person gain and maintain power and control over another person—whether that’s a partner, a friend or family member, a stranger, or even a celebrity." — Deborah J. Vagins, President and CEO
- Roll Call: “At this point, we’re in a crisis…State victim assistance grants have plummeted by nearly 68 percent since fiscal 2018, dropping from $3.39 billion that year to $1.09 billion this year...The Crime Victims Fund is not sustainable.” — Monica McLaughlin, Public Policy Director
- CNET: "Location tracking is a serious concern for survivors and a common tactic of abuse...We are concerned about all possible tracking options because of the safety risks." — Erica Olsen, Director of the Safety Net
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Thank you for working to support survivors and for joining us in this movement to end violence.
 For safety and peace
Deborah J. Vagins
President and CEO |
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