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UCC Justice and Peace Ministry points
to a Congressional move to help victims of violence
[7-11-01]
Economic security and workplace safety are critical to the
self-sufficiency of women leaving violent relationships. Batterers often
intentionally prevent their victims from getting to work and harass them
and their co-workers at their workplace, making it difficult for all
employees to have a productive and safe work environment.
The Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) promotes
employment stability, economic security, and workplace safety for
survivors of domestic and dating sexual assault and violence. Sponsored
by Sens. Wellstone (D-MN), Schumer (D-NY) and Murray (D-WA), and Reps.
Maloney (D-NY) and Roybal-Allard (D-CA), VESSA is expected to be
introduced within the next two weeks.
VESSA would provide unpaid leave from work and eligibility for
unemployment insurance if survivors must leave their work due to
violence. It should also provide protection from employment
discrimination. Many employers are starting to take the lead in
addressing violence through office policies and workplace education and
security measures. VESSA would support those employers whose practices
reflect good models for workplace safety through employer tax credit.
General Synod 14 called upon all settings of the UCC to address the
impact of violence against women and to advocate legislative steps to
address this impact. VESSA will help survivors of violence maintain
economic security while dealing with the violence in their lives. Urge
your members of Congress to become original cosponsors of VESSA.
U.S. Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121
________________________________
This Weekly Message is sent by e-mail every Monday for
use in church newsletters and bulletins the following Sunday. To add new
names to this weekly advocate service from the UCC Justice and Peace
Ministry, for more information, or to remove your name from the list,
reply to jpmdc@ucc.org. For
additional information on the UCC Justice and Peace Ministry, log onto
the UCC website at www.ucc.org.
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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