Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund

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Juvenile Justice Reform

Apr 23, 2010

Make Juvenile Justice Reform a Priority This Year

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Help Youth Who Have Been Exposed to Violence!
 
Now that Congress has passed health care reform, it's time to urge Members to turn their attention to other crucial issues that affect our health and safety, including the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA).    The JJDPA was first enacted in 1974.  It provides federal funding to states that comply with a set of best practices aimed at avoiding the detention and incarceration of young people in juvenile and adult facilities.  However, this law is three years overdue for reauthorization! The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved a JJDPA reauthorization bill (S. 678) but the full Senate has yet to act.  The House of Representatives Education & Labor Committee has held hearings, but they have not yet moved reauthorization legislation.
This reauthorization marks an important opportunity to more adequately address the needs of young women who have experienced violence and trauma.  Nationally, studies show that a history of sexual victimization and physical abuse is one of the most commonly shared attributes of girls in the juvenile justice system.  According to The Brookings Institute, 92 percent of incarcerated young women are victims of abuse. In fact, often a young woman's contact with the criminal justice system is a result of behaviors she adapted to overcome poverty, racism and abuse.  For the first time ever, the this reauthorization could mean that JJDPA addresses the specific needs of girls who have been exposed to domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and stalking.   If you agree that it we should develop gender-specific services that include prevention, intervention, education and awareness-raising about domestic and dating violence and sexual assault for young women in the juvenile justice system, and develop effective juvenile justice programs such as alternatives to detention and incarceration, contact your Representative now and urge him/her to introduce and move a bill in the House this year!   Here's how you can help: (1) Meet: Ask for a meeting with your representatives in the House and Senate to discuss the JJDPA;   (2) Write a Letter: If you are not able to get a meeting scheduled, send a letter to your Members of Congress to support JJDPA reauthorization.  Sample materials can be found at  http://www.act4jj.org/get_involved.html;   (3) Join: Join the Act 4 Juvenile Justice campaign Fan page on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/ACT-4-JJ-Campaign/254772005327?ref=ts;   (4) Share: Spread the word with your friends and share this Action Alert!   For additional information including sample letters, visit: www.act4jj.org.

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Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund
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The Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund is an organization created to assist victims of domestic abuse and eating disorders.

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Our Mission

WE WILL work to encourage, enlighten, enrich and empower all women;

WE WILL help all women recognize their talents, values, beliefs, uniqueness and perceptions of self;

WE WILL help all women achieve their passions, dreams, goals and desires in life;

WE WILL work to breakdown, reduce and hopefully eliminate domestic violence, sexual abuse, related eating disorders, gender bias, gender inequality, gender discrimination, gendered media, cultural stereotyping of women of different races, and sexism in the workplace;

WE WILL work to accomplish these goals by uniting, informing, educating, enlightening, transforming and helping all women to define their roles and change public policy;

WE WILL help any woman become an enlightened entrepreneur and realize her destiny;

WE WILL serve as a conduit and channel information through our magazines, workshops, conferences, presentations, projects, community education awareness programs, website (aroseforsharon.org), The Sharon Fisher Bassett Memorial Fund, a blog talk radio show, and connecting links with local, regional and national women’s organizations.

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