How to InfluenceDomestic Violence Policy & Legislation

Jill Morris, NCADV Public Policy DirectorJen Winkelman, NCADV Public Policy Associate

NCADV Public Policy Office

Introduction

• NCADV Public Policy Office• How Public Policy Effects You• Government Overview• How YOU Can Get Involved• Organizing in Your Community• DVAM• Resources• Legislative Update

NCADV Public Policy Office

The NCADV Public Policy Office

• National leader on Federal legislation and policy related to domestic

violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

• Distribute legislative updates and action alerts to the advocacy field.

• Produce educational materials and resources for advocates and the

general public.

NCADV Public Policy Office

How Public Policy Effects YouCreates criminal and civil laws

Creates government programs and services

Funds local programs (Appropriations)

Regulates nonprofits, government agencies, business, etc.

Develops trends for future policy, programs, etc.

NCADV Public Policy Office

The Structure of Government

Executive BranchPresident, Cabinet, and all

agencies such as FBI, Dept of Justice, Health and Human

Services, and Housing and Urban Development

Judicial BranchSupreme Court

and

Federal Courts

State and Local Gov’tMost state governments are similar to

the Federal government, and have a House and Senate. Counties, cities and towns also have their

own governing bodies.

Legislative BranchThe US Congress: House and

Senate

Each state has 2 Senators (100) and House representation is

determined by state population.

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Congressional Staff• Chief of Staff: reports directly to Member

and supervises all aspects of staff.• Legislative Assistant: focus on specific

issues and meet with constituents.• Scheduler: creates the Member’s

schedule and answers requests for appointments.

• Caseworker: respond to constituent requests and are located in district offices.

NCADV Public Policy Office

How a Bill Becomes a LawThe Senate

Legislation is introduced in the Senate.

The bill is assigned a number and sent to a

committee and possibly a subcommittee.

Subcommittees and committees hold public

hearings on the bill, make changes, and vote on the bill.

If the bill passes out of committee, the Senate leadership schedules the debate and

determines the rules for debate.

The bill is debated and voted on.

If the bill passes, it is sent to the House or to a conference committee to resolve difference

with an already existing House bill.

The House

Legislation is introduced in the House.

The bill is assigned a number and sent to a committee and possibly a subcommittee.

Subcommittees and committees hold public hearing on the bill, make changes, and vote

on the bill.

If the bill passes out of committee, it goes to the Rules Committee to determine limits on

debate and amendments.

The bill is debated and voted on.

If the bill passes, it is sent to the Senate or to a conference committee to resolve

difference with an already existing Senate bill.

NCADV Public Policy Office

How YOU Can Be Involved in the

Legislative Process and Positively Impact

Domestic Violence Public Policy

NCADV Public Policy Office

Contact your Members of Congress About Domestic Violence Issues

• As a constituent, you need to tell your Member about the services you offer.

• Provide statistics about the victims you serve.

• Tell your Member about your funding needs.

• Describe your programs and success.• Provide client stories.

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ACTION ITEM

Write a letter, FAX or email.• Obtain sample letters from the NCADV

Legislative Action Guide (LAG) or Website.• Provide local information.• Include supporting documents, news stories, etc.• Keep letters brief and concise (1-2 pages)• Locate contact information at www.congress.org.

(mailed letters will not be received for 2 months)

NCADV Public Policy Office

ACTION ITEM

Make a phone call• Phone calls are best for time sensitive policy

issues.• Ask to speak to the staffer handling the issue.• State that you are a constituent and tell where

you live.• Briefly state why you’re calling, what you wish

the Member to do, and why it’s important to the community.

NCADV Public Policy Office

ACTION ITEM

Meet with your Member or staffer• Schedule an appointment in your district office;

say you’re a constituent.• Explain why a piece of legislation is important to

your program and how it effects the community.• Bring a prepared written statement, news

articles, program description, statistics, etc.• Follow up the meeting with a Thank You letter.

-Thank you letters can be found in the NCADV LAG or on the NCADV website.

NCADV Public Policy Office

Organize in Your Community

You can impact public policy by raising awareness in your

community about domestic violence.

NCADV Public Policy Office

ACTION ITEM

Write a Letter to the Editor• Congressional staff read local papers every day.• Obtain a sample letter from the NCADV LAG or

website.• Research the requirements for Letter to the

Editor in your local paper, and comply with all formatting and word limits.

• Write how your issue effects the community. Cite statistics.

• Keep your letters focused and on point.• Send a copy of the letter to your Legislators.

NCADV Public Policy Office

ORGANIZE DVAM EVENTS

October is great time to raise awareness• Host a candle light vigil, charity walk or rally• Participate in a cell phone collection drive• Distribute purple ribbons, hotline cards and

posters• Write letters to the editor• Sponsor a teen dating violence essay or art

contest• INVITE LOCAL & STATE Legislators and

MEMBERS of CONGRESS to your events!

NCADV Public Policy Office

ACTION ITEM

Have an event at your facility and invite your Member of Congress

• Plan an open house or other event at your facility or a public venue during DVAM to honor victims and advocates.

• Call your Member’s scheduler well in advance and invite the Member. Also send a written invitation.

• Contact your local media outlets and ask them to cover your event.

• Plan a program that highlight your success, celebrate survivors and remembers victims.

NCADV Public Policy Office

RESOURCES

US Capitol Switchboard (202) 224-3121

NCADV PPO (202) 745-1211

www.ncadv.org

www.thomas.loc.gov

www.congress.org

www.house.gov

www.senate.gov

NCADV Public Policy Office

How Can You Use These Tools Today???

Update on Current Legislation/Events

VAWAAppropriationsDVAM Events

Elections

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Anecdotes

A “thousand hand written letters”

Clogging up the switchboard

One victim, one letter, one very important law.

Women’s March April 2004

NCADV Public Policy Office

Contact Us (please!)

Jmorris@ncadv.org

Jwinkelman@ncadv.org

(202) 745-1211

Fax: (202) 745-0088

www.ncadv.org