Joe Biden Supports Women

"The greatest sin is the abuse of power, and the cardinal sin of them all is for a man to raise his hand to a woman."

- JOE BIDEN

http://bidenfoundation.org/pillars/ending-violence-against-women/

Orrick/Legal Momentum Support Women: Man Threatens to publish woman's photos

DATE: 

MARCH 31, 2017

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Jean Gazis
212-413-7558
jgazis@legalmomentum.org

New York, NY, March 30, 2017,—Utah and Arkansas have enacted the nation’s first pieces of legislation designed to expressly criminalize acts of “sextortion,” or cyber-sexual extortion. The Arkansas statute became law Wednesday, following closely after Utah’s legislation, which was signed by the governor on March 25.

As Legal Momentum and its partners, the law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe and the Thomson Reuters Foundation, identified in a July 2016 report, current laws do not recognize or adequately address cyber-sexual extortion. Legal Momentum and Orrick have been working with legislators in Utah, Arkansas, and other states around the country to change that and to make sure that victims of cyber-sex crimes can seek justice.

“Sextortion” is a form of extortion where sex or sexual images are demanded by someone with power over the victim. In our internet age, sexual predators often pose as teenagers and use social media to entice a victim—often a teen girl—into providing explicit personal images.

Predators then threaten to expose the images publicly unless the victim provides more sexual imagery. Last year, the FBI warned that sextortion is “the fastest-growing threat to children” across the United States. The victims suffer devastating, long-lasting psychological and reputational harm. Until now, despite these dangerous consequences, sextortion was not a recognizable crime.

“We are very pleased that Utah and Arkansas have led the way with new laws to combat this fast-growing crime that harms children and teens,” said Penny Venetis, Legal Momentum’s Executive Vice President and Legal Director. “We hope that more states will swiftly follow suit to provide prosecutors and law enforcement with the tools they need to protect vulnerable women and children and to hold perpetrators accountable.”

“We are extremely proud to have worked with Utah and Arkansas to pass this historic legislation, which provides crucial protections to the vulnerable victims of sextortion,” said Ann Patterson, an Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe partner leading the firm’s pro bono efforts to secure such legislation around the country. “We look forward to working with other states to enact similar legislation, and are confident we will see Legislatures move in this direction across the United States.”

“Sextortion is a new word for an old concept: corruption,” said Thomson Reuters Foundation CEO and TrustLaw Founder Monique Villa. “The way we connect, interact and share information and personal data has been radically reshaped by technology, but the laws have not kept pace to ensure that powerless victims are not targeted by unscrupulous criminals who can hide behind a computer or cell phone. I commend the moves made by Utah and Arkansas to tackle this growing crime, and urge other states to follow suit.”

Orrick and Legal Momentum will continue working with lawmakers across the country to ensure that children, teens and women are safe online as well as in real life.

This legislative effort is only one piece of Legal Momentum’s, Orrick’s, and the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s partnership to fight sextortion. In February, Legal Momentum and Orrick filed the first-ever civil lawsuit in state court seeking money damages for cyber-sexual abuse. The plaintiff, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, was threatened with exposure of personal images that had been stolen from her computer by her landlord. 

About Legal Momentum

Legal Momentum, the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund, has been advocating on behalf of girls and women for nearly 50 years. Legal Momentum was instrumental in drafting and helping pass the Violence Against Women Act and other major legislation that protects girls and women.

About Orrick

Orrick is an AmLaw 50 firm focused on serving the technology, energy and infrastructure, and finance sectors. Chambers Global 2016 rates the firm for excellence across 38 transactional, litigation and IP practice areas. Founded more than 150 years ago in San Francisco, Orrick today has offices in major markets worldwide.

Contribute, Be My Hero & Make the World Better (your Good Deed!)

A young woman needs your help. She lived with a violent man. He drank & attacked her, physically & sexually. She is assaulted & beaten again as she emails for help, locates a safe place to go to & tries to move out.  He won't let her move out until he is done beating her & throwing her down the stairs (an entire flight of stairs). He often accused her of flirting. He has a jealous temper. He has a violence problem, a drugs/drinking problem. She wants to escape. She wants to stay safe from him. She moved 3 times but he found her new address each time. She wants to move to where he won't know where she is. She has medical bills. He stole her belongings & the money that was in their apartment. Now he vengefully cyber bullies her. He is investigated, eventually arrested, but she needs more legal help to trace the Cyber Bullying, to fight it, to get it retracted. She also needs a lawyer to fight his protest of her Restraining Order. The Defamation made it hard to get hired. She is starting from scratch. She needs your help. She will personally thank you from the bottom of her heart. She needs YOU to be a HERO.

***Be My Hero*** 

This is a contributable fund we have put together to address our friend’s immediate financial situation.  Specifically medical expenses, day-to-day living expenses, transportation to and from court proceedings and legal fees for our beloved friend.

You’re getting this (or reading this) because you are her friend.

Possible contributions:

If you've ever had a better day because of a friend: $10

If a friend has ever given you a compliment: $15

If you’ve ever laughed at or made fun of your friend (or her dancing): $30

If you have money you don't need & want to be extra generous: $??,000

If you've ever been insulted by a friend:  $10

If you've been insulted & it made you laugh: $50

If you've been insulted & you deserved it: $700

If you've insulted a friend: $800

If you want your friends to not ask for things: $20 :-) & then you ask to unsubscribe!

If you've ever borrowed something from a friend:  $50

If a friend has smiled at you: $52

If a friend has winked at you: $65.10

If you've ever had a friend: $50

If you'd like to have more friends: $58
If you'd like to have a better friend: $20

We are not making light of the subject, only the idea of suggestions what YOU want to give from your heart. This letter is simply to raise awareness that Courts deliver justice S-L-O-W-L-Y & lawyers are expensive. Pro Bono Lawyer help, Forensics help, etc. is also welcome.

Any amount is welcome! If it's just a couple of dollars OR if your pockets are a little DEEPER, you can give a bit more. Please note contributions are not tax deductible but gifts.

Thank you for caring about people & using your heart! This is very sensitive, so we won't put down names (yours or theirs). Thank you for helping to keep our friend safe! Peace, Healing, Promoting Love, Health & Happiness for all of us.

Warning: if you have a Restraining Order

If you have a Restraining Order, I don't want this to happen to you.  This has happened before. The judge says, "You're safe now. If he comes for you, call 911 & run to a safe place to wait." Well, the girl who did that was told she has no PHYSICAL PROOF that he approached her. She SHOULD have TAKEN A PHOTO, then dial 911!  Or taken VIDEO before or while on Speaker Phone with 911. If 911 hears both people in the background, that's proof. If a video or photo SHOWS your abuser is there, that's proof. Many cases don't have EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE. Domestic Violence victims are often scared, and not thinking like a prosecutor or lawyer (most of us victims are not lawyers & get more emotional than factual.) Guess what. If you want JUSTICE and to PROTECT OTHER WOMEN, try to help the Police and Prosecutor by giving them enough proof to achieve justice. They can try to do it based on our testimony, but it makes their job easier to have photos and videos and speaker phone audio tapes on 911 calls. Remember, you have the right to request your 911 call too. Hopefully you were very specific. Don't say "Help! Im at this address & scared." Say "[Insert name] is following me. He's violating his restraining order. He's here & my photo/video shows it. I'm emailing the photo before he breaks my phone. OK, the proof was sent to a witness." Get off the phone. Ask a passerby for their contact info & to be a witness. This helps prove the case. Be careful out there.

Robin Hood sponsors many free services to help people

https://www.robinhood.org/programs/who-we-fund/#survival

Cyber Bullies

          Has anyone else had personal experience with an ex, or a stalker, who is a sociopath?  Cyber bullies, abusers &       bullies must be stopped. Many men have waged cyber bullying wars that are STILL ONLINE on the Internet & Police DON'T KNOW HOW TO ARREST FOR THIS CRIME! Steal $10 from a store, go to jail, but ruin a woman's life & police say they don't have enough evidence?! Have any women been able to prevail over the criminals? How do we show Police and the DA that it's a crime, and traceable with IPs if subpoenaed? How do we handle cyber bullies?

The Film "Revenge Porn"

The film "Revenge Porn" is a true story. A cyber bully and hacker named Hunter Moore said, "I wanted to get back at this dumb bitch for breaking my heart & fucking with me. I wanted to fuck with her back.” He hacked many women, posted their nude pics & posted their diaries, & later posted cease & desist letters from their lawyers & moms.

Pro Bono Lawyers

Do any Pro Bono Lawyers help victims of DV with Restraining Order trials or Defamation? These are 2 separate issues. Has anyone worked with a lawyer for Family Law (technically my restraining order case is in Integrated Domestic Violence Court IDV.) Need help pro bono.

Any Age Can Experience Assault

Ages 12-34 are at the highest risk for rape or sexual assault. And ANY Age Can Experience These Traumas. How do people recover? The younger you are, the longer it takes to recover, and the more help you need.  At any age, you need vast amounts of help, and a support system bigger than your family. Reach out to Community centers, therapists, advocates, etc.  NYPD is getting better by hiring Advocates for Crime Victims to help us. So far the Midtown North Precinct of Manhattan and a few other places have advocates at the Police Stations available in person or via phone. Domestic Violence hotlines can be lifesavers if you want to talk to someone at any time of the day or night. You can always call RAINN or google "Domestic Violence Hotline."

Help from Gov Agencies??

Has anyone actually received help from any government agency such as  www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org ? Interested if anyone has actually made an appointment and gotten help. There is legal help offered. There is counseling offered. etc etc. Getting copies of police reports is important and helpful too.

Find Family Justice Centers in NY

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call 311 and ask for the City's 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline.

You can also walk into any one of our New York City Family Justice Centers to receive FREE and CONFIDENTIAL assistance to victims/survivors of intimate partner violence, sex trafficking and elder abuse. We welcome people of all ages, sexual orientations and gender identities, regardless of what language you speak, your immigration status or your income.

All Centers are open Monday through Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. No appointment necessary

Call 311 to be connected to a Family Justice Center near you.

NYC Family Justice Center, Bronx
198 East 161st Street
2nd Floor
718-508-1220
Subway: 4 B D to Yankee Stadium
Bus: BX1, BX2, BX6, and BX13

NYC Family Justice Center, Brooklyn
350 Jay Street
718-250-5111
Subway: A C F R to Jay Street
or 2 3 4 5 to Borough Hall
Bus: B25, B26, B38, B54, B57, B61, B62, B65, B67, B75, and B103

NYC Family Justice Center, Manhattan
80 Centre Street
212-602-2800
Subway: 4 5 6 to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall
J Z to Chambers Street
N Q R to Canal Street
1 2 3 A C to Chambers Street
Bus: M5, M9, M22, and M103

NYC Family Justice Center, Queens
126-02 82nd Avenue
718-575-4545
Subway: E F to Kew Gardens-Union Turnpike
Bus: Q10, Q37, Q46, and Q60

NYC Family Justice Center, Staten Island
126 Stuyvesant Place
718-697-4300
Close to the St. George Ferry Terminal
Staten Island Railroad to St. George
Bus: S40, S42, S44, S46, S48, S51, S52, S61, S62, S66, S74, S76, S78, S81, S86, S90, S91, S92, S94, S96, and S98

Restraining Orders & Sanctuary For Families

Before you ask for Restraining Orders, if you have time, call Sanctuary for Families and ask for Courtroom Advocate Program or The Family Justice Center (www.sanctuaryforfamilies.org)

Violence against a woman is especially sad

Bad things happened to me. I need help. If this is happening to others too, please tell me. Everything stays anonymous (for all of our safety.)

I am a rape victim. My ex was violent. It's too hard to come forward--but I'm trying. He is cyber bullying me during the court case. He hired an Expert Psychologist to manipulate me.  The Expert Dr. also has a law degree. My ex threatens me.  The court case continues slowly, with so many procedures I don't understand.  What are my civil rights?

Which civil rights do I lose when I sue?

I'm left here scared.

What else should I be warned of?

No one warned me that it's LEGAL for his Lawyers to bully me, insult me, intimidate me & put words in my mouth, telling me to admit this, swearing I said this earlier, lying about what I said earlier under oath, trying to confuse the judge, to distract from the issue that he attacked me sexually and physically. Battery is illegal, but while I'm proving he did crimes, he's allowed to attack my character and bring me down with him.

If I already did a grueling deposition, sat through his deposition where he lies, sat through his witness deposition of lies, and was bullied to fear & tears by his expert psychologist, IS THE WORST OVER-- or can it get even worse?  Is there a way to prevent it from getting worse?  If I had been warned about his expert psychologist playing dirty tricks, I might have not fallen so much.

I also didn't know I was allowed to attend pre trial conferences.  I wonder: Do other rape victims know that you're allowed to know what's going on, even if the lawyer's "too busy to tell you"?

Do other crime victims know you're allowed to ask NYPD to help you get away from your attacker & to a safe place?  Do crime victims know you're allowed to ask questions to the NYPD--but that you're better leaving & then calling for a Domestic Violence Officer rather than the the 911 responders who are not all trained in Domestic Violence issues & are just used to dealing with endless criminals so many grow clinical.

Did you know victims have the right to ask for a copy of their 911 tape?

These are things I learned. I want to share these things to help other people suffer less.  Please share your experience too,--Together, we can help people.

Cyber Bullying is Abuse

Maybe your abuser cyber bullied you or defamed you online. Can Google take it off, or are you forever linked to your abuser?  This is a bill:

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/ltrftcrtbf070715.pdf

For example, an ex who beat you and committed Domestic Violence puts humiliating lies on the Internet, and you can try to get these lies off the Internet where job interviewers see it.

Protective Restraining Orders

Has anyone filed a Restraining Order & then had to prove why in trial?

Has anyone endured reporting a rape?

Has anyone endured reporting a rape?  Will you please share your story here?  I'd like to meet people who have, or at least read their stories.