Weekly News Update

May 5, 2008 |
Valor

Week of April 28th
Legislation to Address Violence Against Women & Girls Worldwide Introduced in House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC – Violence prevention, women’s and human rights leaders today hailed the introduction late yesterday in the House of Representatives of groundbreaking legislation to address the global crisis of violence against women and girls. The International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA – HR 5927) is being sponsored in the House by Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA). It would apply the force of U.S. diplomacy and foreign aid over five years toward preventing abuse and exploitation, which is estimated to affect one in three women worldwide.
Sexual harassment in fields dangerous for women
Working as a field laborer is tough. Often the weather conditions are adverse, and it is a seasonal job that requires great physical effort. In addition to that, if you are a woman, there are circumstances that can make that task a bit like a nightmare.

The stories about sexual harassment, discrimination and even sexual abuse or assault are everyday topics among women who work in the fields of California. According to a recent study of female farmworkers in California conducted by the Southern Poverty Law Center, 90 percent of those interviewed identified sexual harassment as a major problem at work.
Department of Justice Announces $11.8 million to help states and tribal governments comply with Adam Walsh Act
The U.S. Department of Justice today announced more than $11.8 million in grants and assistance to state, local, and tribal governments to assist with developing or enhancing programs designed to implement the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) provisions of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006. These awards are made through the Adam Walsh Act Implementation Grant Program.
California still struggling to outfit all sex offenders with GPS
California has outfitted about half the state’s paroled sex offenders with GPS devices but is falling short of a requirement to track them all.
On Wednesday, officials announced they had attached ankle monitors to 2,500 of California’s most dangerous sex-offender parolees. That’s in addition to the 2,300 units already tracking paroled sex offenders who are considered less dangerous.
L.B. law may force sex offenders out
LONG BEACH (KABC) — A tough new ordinance that could force many registered sex offenders out of Long Beach is set to take effect Monday.
The ordinance stops most landlords from renting units to anyone registered as a sex offender under Jessica’s law, and it also draws a 2,000-foot buffer around schools, parks, daycare centers and beaches.
Long Beach suspends new residency ordinance for sex offenders
LONG BEACH – The city has temporarily suspended enforcement of its new sex offender residency ordinance after attorneys representing 25 sex offenders and property owners filed a claim opposing the law, City Attorney Robert Shannon said Wednesday.