27 February, 2007

Project IRENE:
SB 75 First Offender Probation Bill (Prostitution)

Background
SB 75 allows judges to have an option to sentence those charged with first time felony prostitution to an alternative probation in lieu of prison time. At sentencing time, the judge will decide whether or not the offender is eligible for this sentencing option and will define services which can include housing assistance, trauma and substance abuse counseling and job training.

After successful completion of the 24 months of probation, the case is dismissed and the offender avoids having a felony conviction. This option currently exists for first time, low level felony drug offenders.

The vast majority of persons in prostitution suffer from long-term physical and emotional pain, often resulting in mental illness, physical disabilities and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). These experiences often result in a person’s inability to maintain stable employment. Without employment, housing options dwindle.

Action
Contact your State Senator during the week beginning Feb. 26 regarding SB 75, First Offender Probation Act.

Contact Rose Mary Meyer, BVM (projectirene@aol.com) and let her know how your Illinois State Senator is voting on this issue. Include the name of your Illinois State Senator.

Thank you
This bill will make a profound difference in the lives of many charged with first time felony prostitution. Receiving supportive housing if needed and supportive services will impact their future. Thank you for taking action.

Rose Mary Meyer, BVM
Project IRENE
708 484-0270
708 484-8373 fax
projectirene@aol.com

Ethnoscapes: Interdisciplinary Journal on Race & Ethnicity in the Global Context
Issue Two, Spring 2007. “Transnational Migration, Race, and Citizenship”. The editorial staff for the new peer-reviewed journal Ethnoscapes: An Interdisciplinary Journal on Race and Ethnicity in the Global Context invites submissions for its second issue on the subject of “Transnational Migration, Race, and Citizenship.”

Read the rest of this entry »

[digg=http://digg.com/offbeat_news/Town_Hall_Meeting_on_Latinas_in_Chicago]“What Will it Take?”

Town Hall Series: meeting in Little Village

Recently, we have seen a rise in such forms of violence against women and girls such as the murder of a Latina woman in Little Village and the sexual assaults of two young girls in the Back of the Yards, all of which impact whole families and communities—and we have a lot to talk about.

Join us. Share your concerns and help us find solutions.

Guests speakers include:

• Lupe Chavez – Community Educator, Mujeres Latinas en Acción

• Jaime Guzman – Little Village Violence Prevention Collaborative (VPC)

• Yolanda Cardenas, M.D. –  family medicine

“What Will It Take? Building theSafest
State for All Women and Girls” is a yearlong statewide initiative of Chicago Foundation for Women. It is based on the idea that to find answers, you have to ask the question. The Town Hall series is part of that effort.This second of nine town hall meetings held across the state is hosted by Chicago Foundation for Women’s Latina Leadership Council in conjunction with Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Latino Coalition for Prevention, Amigas Latinas, Chicago Public Schools’ Girl’s Initiative, Little Village Violence Prevention Collaborative (VPC) and Rape Victim Advocates.Violence does not discriminate. It affects people no matter what your income, age, race sexual orientation or gender identity. But it disproportionately affects women and girls of color, immigrant women and girls and disabled women and girls.

• Because of language, cultural and financial barriers, immigrant women are more likely to be vulnerable to abuse. 
• More than three women are killed each day by a husband or boyfriend. 
• One in three girls is sexually abused before the age of 18. 
• Lesbian, bisexual and transgender women have the same risk of intimate partner violence.

No RSVP is necessary; all are welcome.

For more information on this Town Hall or the series of meetings, contact C.C. Carter at (312) 577-2836 or cccarter@cfw.org. For general information on the Foundation or the “What Will It Take?” initiative, contact info@cfw.org or call (312) 577-2801.

If you have accessibility requirements, contact Barbra Jotzke by Feb. 26 at (312) 577-2814 or bjotzke@cfw.org.