What You May Have Missed in October
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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Throughout October, Legal Momentum recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). We specifically called attention to the fact that domestic violence occurs in teen dating relationships too and highlighted our Teen Dating Abuse and Violence materials so that teens can recognize the signs of an unhealthy relationship and seek help if they need it.
- To continue to raise awareness during DVAM, LM staff joined other community organizations on October 14th on the steps of City Hall for Turning Point for Women and Families' 5th Annual Vigil for Survivors of Domestic Violence.
Challenging and Changing Gendered Dress Codes
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On October 5th, LM published our latest resource "Dressed and Ready to Learn" to help students, parents, and educators identify, challenge, and change dress codes that are rooted in and perpetuate biases and stereotypes about gender and race. Students are in school to learn, they should not have the added worry of being shamed or disciplined by school administrators for wearing something that fails to comply with sexist dress codes.
The full resource is available here.
Expanding Public Understanding of Rape and Consent
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On October 6th, LM Senior Vice President and Director of the National Judicial Education Program (NJEP), Lynn Hecht Schafran, published a letter thanking Constance Wu for publicly sharing her story and helping to break down erroneous stereotypes about what rape is and how victims should respond. It’s time to expand our public consciousness around rape and consent so that we can call this predatory behavior out by its name.
Read the full piece here.
Nonconsensual Drug Testing of Pregnant Patients
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As part of our Reproductive Justice efforts, Legal Momentum continues to raise awareness about the practice of hospitals nonconsensually drug testing pregnant patients when they present for labor or other routine medical care. If this has happened to you or someone you know, we want to hear from you. Please contact our Syms Legal Momentum Gender Equality Helpline at 1-800-649-0297 or Help@LMHelpline.org.
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