Discussion List for campus-based and allied personnel working to end gender-based violence on campus.

["Kaplan, Claire (cnk2r)" <>]

Date:    Fri, 5 Jun 2009 08:48:55 -0400

From:    Molly Dragiewicz 
<>

Subject: upcoming teleconference: men's rights groups lawsuits against 
battered women's shelters



Hi All,

You are invited to attend an upcoming teleconference:



Men's Rights Groups' Lawsuits Against Battered Women's Shelters Thursday, 
June 18, 2009 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time



The teleconference is being hosted by Jewish Women International and the li= 
nk is here http://www.jwi.org/site/pp.aspx?c=3DokLWJ3MPKtH&b=3D5207705





REGISTER NOW



No charge for members, $25 for non-members Learn more about National Alliance 
membership



 Each participant is required to pre-register.



You may not be aware that there have been multiple lawsuits brought by anti= 
-feminist "men's rights" groups against battered women's shelters and the s= 
tate agencies that fund them in the United States. Each of these lawsuits e= 
ssentially claims "reverse discrimination" in services tailored to battered=  
women, alongside the often-repeated assertion that women are as violent as=  
men.



Although most of these cases have failed completely, one recent case in Cal= 
ifornia was partly successful. Whether successful or not, these lawsuits dr= 
ain time and money from service providers and states.



This teleconference will explain the history and nature of the lawsuits and=  
the legal concept of Equal Protection at their core. You will learn how to=  
protect yourself against such lawsuits without compromising the quality an= d 
integrity of services you already provide, and which resources you can dr= aw 
upon in the event of a lawsuit in your state.



Agenda:



Overview of the problem

Understanding the Equal Protection Clause American Law Suits brought by Men's 
Rights Groups Minnesota California (2) Maine West Virginia (in process) 
Implications, how to protect yourselves, resources Leading the discussion:



Dr. Molly Dragiewicz is Assistant Professor of Criminology, Justice & Polic= 
y Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Canada. S= 
he has published articles about the anti-feminist fathers' rights movement = 
and the California equal protection lawsuit. Dr. Dragiewicz is currently wr= 
iting a book about the first equal protection lawsuit against battered wome= 
n's shelters in Minnesota.



Nancy Lemon, J.D., is a UC Berkeley Law lecturer, and leading authority on = 
domestic violence for more than 20 years. She is an advocate and practicing=  
attorney working with victims, police, public agencies and community organ= 
izations. She has drafted legislation for victims of domestic violence thei= 
r children and immigrant women. Ms Lemon wrote the first textbook on Domest= 
ic Violence and the Law. She was recently selected to receive an Outstandin= 
g Women of Berkeley Award.





Who should attend?



This comprehensive and innovative learning experience is for attorneys * so= 
cial workers * therapists * DV service providers and advocates * children's=  
advocates * child protection workers * child abuse service providers * pro= 
fessional and scholars who work on intimate partner violence, child abuse, = 
child custody, or family law policy * physicians * nurses * physician assis= 
tants * nursing and medical students * practicing healthcare providers * sc= 
hool personnel * family court evaluators.



Co-sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the larg= 
est membership organization of professional social workers in the world wit= 
h 152,000 members and 56 chapters in the United States and abroad. One CE c= 
ontact hour is available for social workers for $10; instructions will be g= 
iven on the call.



Non-members are welcome to participate for a $25 fee per teleconference. If=  
you join the Alliance, your membership fee will cover the cost of Alliance=  
teleconferences through June 2010.



Phone lines are limited - please register early. While JWI pays the bridge = 
fee for the call, all participants are responsible for their individual lon= 
g distance charges.



The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this = 
teleconference and handouts are those of the author(s) and do not necessari= 
ly reflect the views of Jewish Women International.



Molly Dragiewicz

Assistant Professor

Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies

University of Ontario Institute of Technology 
<mailto:>


Claire N Kaplan, PhD
Director, Sexual & Domestic Violence Services
UVA Women's Center
PO Box 800588
Charlottesville VA 22908-0588
434-982-2774 Voice
434-982-2901 Fax