MCASA’s Legislative Agenda – Giving Voice to Survivors in Public Policy Decisions

Aug 21st, 1970

One of MCASA’s most important responsibilities is to advocate for effective state public policies in Annapolis.  MCASA supports legislation that promotes justice for survivors of sexual violence, accountability for offenders, and protection for the general public. During the 2014 session, we expect to work on a wide range of legislation and our full list of legislative priorities can be found here.  This year’s top priorities include a bill to allow rape victims to ask the courts to limit the parental rights of rapists when a child is conceived through rape, a bill to give victims of dating violence the increased safety that protective orders provide, legislation to protect children from exploitation by persons in authority, and a bill responding to the recent and horrifying trend of using the internet to solicit proxy rapists to attack people in their homes.  Two of our top priorities were introduced last year:  the Rape Survivor Family Protection Act   and the bill expanding protective orders to address dating violence.  This year, Delegate Luke Clippinger explains the need for the bill addressing persons in authority who exploit teens. Senator Brian Frosh gives his views on the need for a new initiative to address malicious solicitations of sexual assault. MCASA will continue to develop public policy initiatives as the session unfolds.  We work closely with the member rape crisis centers and invite all survivors and others interested in ending sexual violence to join our efforts.  We need your help to continue to improve Maryland’s laws:  please visit www.mcasa.org to sign up for MCASA E-lerts about pending legislation and join our efforts to end sexual violence in Maryland.   This article appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of Frontline.

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