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> The Kogut Vision > JOINT LETTER ON VICITMS' RIGHTS--VICTIMS ABOVE POLITICS
JOINT LETTER ON VICITMS' RIGHTS--VICTIMS ABOVE POLITICSDear Legislator:
As concerned citizens and candidates for District Attorney of Hampden County, we are writing to you in the spirit of non-partisanship to urge the passage of several important pieces of legislation to help safe-guard the rights of vulnerable victims.
You know the statistics as well as we do that:
* One in six women will experience a sexual assault in their lifetime: one in thirty-three men will experience a sexual assault.
* In Massachusetts, an estimated 17% of women and 6% of men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.
* 54% of female rape survivors are under 18 years old, 22% are under 12; 78% of male survivors are under 18 years old and 48% are under 12.
Disturbing figures indeed, and preventing these crimes and helping these victims has motivated us to seek the office of District Attorney of Hampden County. As candidates for that office, we are mindful of the need to prevent and prosecute sexual assaults and that Justice isn't served until crime victims are.
Thus, we are writing to ask that you join us and convince your legislative colleagues and work to ensure swift passage of the following:
* Senate Bill 2274: This bill provides housing rights and protections for victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault and stalking. It prevents denial based on one s status as a victim of abuse.
* Senate Bill 2382 (formerly Senate 673): This bill would protect employees who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking from being penalized in the workplace for taking time off to address issues related to being a victim of such crimes and creates important model workplace safety and policy procedures for employees.
*Senate Bill 1559: This bill would provide additional protections and enhance the rights
of child and adult victims and witnesses of crimes.
We sincerely hope you will make the protection of these vulnerable victims a legislative priority in the remaining days of this year s session.
Very truly yours,
Michael T Kogut
Mark Mastroianni
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