Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay

The Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay (SVTF) is a collective group of community members, agencies and organizations that advocate for laws to promote education and awareness about survivors’ rights. On behalf of the Change Committee, we believe it is necessary to comment on the results of last night’s election and the impact on sexual violence awareness. The foundation of our role in the community is directly impacted by the legislation that protects, prosecutes and provi...

It is official: HB 251/ SB 488, cited also as "The Walk in Their Shoes Act", was signed into law by Governor Scott on June 24th, 2011 and is now in effect.

This sexual violence omnibus bill is a huge victory for survivors' rights, key elements which the Change subcommittee of the Sexual Violence Task Force of Tampa Bay successfully added into the bill:

• The law enforcement officer responding to a sexual battery is now required to provide, or arrange for, transportation of...

HB 251 has passed--unanimously, 116-0, in the Florida House of Representatives today!!!!!!!!

Here is what the passed bill includes:

by Judiciary Committee and Appropriations Committee and Criminal Justice Subcommittee and Dorworth (CO-SPONSORS) Eisnaugle; Julien; Kiar; Pafford; Porth

Sexual Offenses: Cites act as "Walk in Their Shoes Act";

• Permits admission of evidence of defendant's commission of other crimes, wrongs, or acts of sexual nature in criminal case i...

Florida State Representative Kathleen Passidomo has been expressing some dangerous and unacceptable viewpoints in the legislature and media. Here are some links to what she's been saying:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/16/texas-gang-rape-aftermath-florida-law_n_836841.html

We need your VOICE!! Please contact your legislators and in particular, Senate leadership, to support our legislation with HB 251/SB 488. This template email is for Senate President Mike Haridopolos--whose support we desperately need. Please feel free to use it for any and all legislators to contact, and also to personalize it as you see fit. just make sure to edit names and the proper house (House Representative vs. Senator, etc.) In the House, we will be moving next to the Appropriations Co...

SVTF- Change Legislative Initiative

CALL TO ACTION:

 ** HB 251 with our amendment passed unanimously through the first House committee- Criminal Justice!! We will need your continued support and help as it moves through committees in both the House and Senate! We will maintain updated information for this purpose----Make your voice heard!! **

In Our Own Backyard: Modern-Day Slavery in the US, Florida, and the Tampa Bay area

"I freed a thousand slaves. I could have freed a thousand more had they only known they were slaves." - Harriet Tubman

The term “human trafficking” tends to conjure up images of Asian girls smuggled into massage parlors or Russian mail order brides stashed in ...

2009-2010 Florida Legislative Wrap-Up

* There are many bills which may have a direct or indirect effect on sexual violence issues (ex. domestic violence bills, internet safety, elder abuse bills); this is simply a brief overview of more specific bills as they relate to sexual violence.

Not Passed:

• HB 799/SB 1302- Victim Advocate B...

August 2nd, President Obama signed the Tribal Law and Order Act into law.

And not a moment too soon. On August 3rd, a Long Island (Non-Native) man was arrested for killing his girlfriend's 17-month old son (Native) while babysitting him on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation. Pedro Jones is charged with 1st-degree manslaughter (which does not carry the same punishment as murder, many groups are pushing for an aggravated charge of hate crime) for allegedly hitting the inf...

"We don't carry rape kits on board."

"We don't know who the investigating authority is."

"Just forget about it and get on with your life."

(Statements made by a supervisor to a crew member raped by another employee)

“It’s not our jurisdiction - it happened on board. It’s the Coast Guard that should investigate.” 

“Since the investigating authority isn’t here to order it, you can’t have a rape kit.&#...