VIP/SAFE-NH represents SAFE's Mission in D.C.

VIP SAFE NH writes "NH’s Violence Intervention Program/SAFE-NH
Makes Impact in Washington, DC

Lee Newman, Founding Executive Director of VIP/SAFE-NH traveled to Washington to attend the “invitation only” 10th Anniversary Symposium of the Violence Against Women Act. (also known as VAWA)

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This was his second trip to DC, having presented testimony originally at the meeting of the National Advisory Committee on VAWA in April of this year. After his initial meeting with this Committee which reports directly to John Ashcroft at the Department of Justice, Mr. Newman received an invitation to this exclusive National event held September 13th and 14th.

This Symposium was in part to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of VAWA as well as to learn from the experiences of the past and to discuss initiatives for the future. It is an honor for a new program such as NH’s Chapter of SAFE to be recognized and included among the attendees. Due in part to the fact that VIP/SAFE-NH currently has no major funding, Mr. Newman, applied for and was awarded a full scholarship to attend.

Ms.Diane Stuart, the head of the VAWA Office in DC, met Mr. Newman in April, while attending the National Advisory Committee meetings and again briefly when she made a speech at the NH Domestic Violence Conference at the Mount Washington Hotel in May of this year. Ms. Stuart made arrangements for VIP/SAFE-NH brochures and other SAFE materials to be available to all attendees at the Resource room that was available throughout the 2 day Symposium.

Mr. Newman was also in Washington during this trip to present information to members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Joseph Biden and members of the National Advisory Committee on VAWA. This was done at a bi-partisan luncheon Sponsored by the Independent Women’s Forum and was billed as a Summit on Intimate Partner Abuse. At the conclusion of his presentation Mr. Newman distributed written Recommendations and Policy Questions developed by SAFE to be considered by those responsible for changes in the Violence Against Women Act during the reauthorization process.

The intention of Mr. Newman’s presentation was to bring awareness to the plight of the underserved victims who are not represented in VAWA. The mission of VIP/SAFE-NH and of the entire organization of SAFE was to encourage the attendees to make VAWA an inclusive Act that will provide relief for ALL victims regardless of gender, age or lifestyle. The first 10 years of VAWA have proven to be discriminatory to all but the “traditional” female victims of abusive men, while not providing funding streams for any of the other voiceless victims in this Country, including the innocent children of these citizens.

VIP/SAFE-NH is the NH Chapter of Stop Abuse For Everyone and provides direct services and support to victims of Domestic Violence throughout the State and operates a 24 hour Crisis Line. The focus of VIP/SAFE-NH is to provide these services to the “underserved” victims including heterosexual men, gay men, lesbians, bi-sexual, trans-gendered men and women, the elderly, teens and victims of sibling violence.

VIP/SAFE-NH was founded by Mr. Newman and his 2 Co-Directors after having worked together as Domestic Violence Advocates and realizing that there were many victims who were not able to access equal services within the existing Coalition and Domestic Violence services framework.VIP became the NH Chapter of SAFE in October,2002.

If you would like to learn more about the innovative and progressive approaches to Intimate Partner Violence and surrounding issues that are represented by VIP/SAFE-NH check out their website at http://www.VIP-NH.org or simply do a search for VIP SAFE NH. If you would like to contribute time, services or money, all would be greatly appreciated.

If you need assistance in New Hampshire call
VIP/SAFE-NH (603)859-0859"

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