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New California Law Considers “Full Context” of Domestic Abuse Survivors’ Lives

Economic justice is a near-immediate, tangible solution to improve life for criminalized survivors of domestic violence. Many survivors hail from predominantly Black and Brown communities, which experience glaring income gaps, and oftentimes they take on the burden of childbearing while juggling the responsibilities of working and taking care of the children, she added.

Published

3 years ago

March 16, 2022

Oakland Post

It is important to get the message out about what real accountability looks like for people who have caused harm.

Charlene Muhammad | Oakland Post

Advocates for victims of domestic violence, including organizations like the Family Violence Law Center in Oakland, are applauding a new California law that was introduced by Sen. Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles). The legislation passed both the Assembly and Senate last fall. It was signed into law by Gov. Newsom in October, and it took effect Jan. 1.

Assembly Bill (AB) 124, also known as the “Justice for Survivors” bill, provides support to survivors of violence, including intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.

AB 124 makes provisions for California’s criminal justice system to consider the full context of a person’s circumstances and experiences throughout the court process.

“The idea is more trauma informed sentencing, but I think it starts even before survivors even enter the criminal justice system. I think it’s really important to focus on the responders to the crisis,” stated Nashi Gunasekara, Housing and Gender Justice advocate at the Family Violence Law Center, which advocates for justice and healthy relationships by helping diverse communities in Alameda County heal from domestic violence and sexual assault.

“How responders complete paperwork, their judgment and assessments can all very drastically change the trajectory of a survivor in the criminal justice system, to the point where they may not even enter it, she said. “That’s almost how decisive these those moments of crisis intervention can be.”

According to statistics released by the American Civil Liberties Union, nearly 60 % of female state prisoners nationwide and as many as 94 % of certain female prison populations experienced physical or sexual abuse before being incarcerated.

“Black women make up 25% of the incarcerated population in California, yet are only 5% of the adult population, demonstrating an overrepresentation of Black women in prison. Similar disparities exist for other individuals of color, including Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander, and Indigenous communities,” states the “Justice for Survivors” fact sheet, dated May 26, 2021.

Advocates who supported AB 124 say the legislation is particularly useful for survivors who have been criminalized, because the idea is to take into account factors like a history of abuse or domestic violence, mental illness, and others that may lead to certain moments of crisis when charging or sentencing individuals.

“When you have the right people there, responding to these moments of crises where law enforcement may not be entirely equipped with the information and knowledge to assess those situations correctly, I think we’re not only helping survivors heal, but we’re helping communities as well,” Gunasekara explained.

Part of Family Violence Law Center’s work is helping people to recognize the ways in which survivors can get caught up in the criminal justice system. That includes curbing the continued stigma for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assaults by reversing cultural messages that place blame and responsibility for abuse on survivors themselves, said Marissa Seko, Family Violence Intervention Unit Manager at the organization.

It is important to get the message out about what real accountability looks like for people who have caused harm, she urged.

Power and control, in relationships and within the larger culture are fundamental, core structures that allow domestic violence to continue, according to Seko. One of her clients has been repeatedly victimized by her abuser calling police and filing false Child Protective Services reports as retaliation for trying to leave the relationship, Seko shared.

When a person who is causing the harm has more race or gender privilege than the person they are abusing, they can sometimes use the system against that survivor. That plays out in the ability to pay for lawyers, fight through family law boards, and believability when police are called, according to Seko.

Her agency commonly sees abusers using the system against survivors and weaponizing privileges they have against people with less knowledge or access, she said.

Economic justice is a near-immediate, tangible solution to improve life for criminalized survivors of domestic violence, according to Seko. Many survivors hail from predominantly Black and Brown communities, which experience glaring income gaps, and oftentimes they take on the burden of childbearing while juggling the responsibilities of working and taking care of the children, she added.

According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases, and is often cited by victims of abuse as the main reason that they stayed with or returned to an abusive partner.

“It’s hard to survive or make decisions when one feels economically insecure,” said Seko.

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Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of December 18 – 24, 2024

Published

1 day ago

December 20, 2024

Oakland Post

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‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

3 days ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org