Maine provides Employment Protections for Survivors of Domestic Violence. Many people are unaware that these laws exist and that Family Violence Project advocates offer support to victims and employers when situations of domestic violence impact a person's job. One FVP client recently started attending support group again because she was navigating a complex divorce from her husband, who abused her. Her new employer was reluctant to approve time off so that she could attend the group. After an FVP advocate provided a letter, she successfully negotiated with her employer for the time off. She has reported that even with an attorney the divorce was grueling and the support of other survivors was crucial in her ability to stand up for herself. Another survivor wanted help explaining to her employer why she needed time off for court. She was previously granted a 2-year order to keep her ex-partner from contacting her or coming to her “home, school or place of employment.” The advocate who assisted in filing the original order provided her with documentation for her employer, enabling her to take the time necessary to file a motion to extend the PFA. These actions continued the protections for her, and helped create safer work environment for everyone. These are just two of the many situations where survivors of abuse were able to access support by contacting Family Violence Project.

How You Are Protected:

Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking: You may take reasonable and necessary leave from employment if you, your child, spouse, or parent is a victim of domestic

abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. From Title 26, § 850: Notice of violation (s) must be reported within six months of the occurrence. If you are denied leave, a fine of up to $1,000 for each violation may be assessed against the employer. Additionally, the employer is liable for liquidated damages in an amount equal to three times the amount of total assessed fines. If you are terminated, you may elect either the liquidated damages or reemployment with the employer with back wages. Unemployment Benefit Eligibility: If you voluntarily leave work, you may not be disqualified from receiving benefits if your leaving was necessary to protect yourself from domestic abuse, and you made all reasonable efforts to keep your job. Title 26, §1193, §§1(A)4 You may not be disqualified from receiving benefits because of misconduct if your actions were based solely on the need to protect yourself or an immediate family member from domestic violence, and you made all reasonable efforts to keep your job. Title 26, §1043, §§23(B)3 An additional resource available to survivors who are victims of a violent crime is to file for assistance through the Maine Victims Compensation Fund. One of the expenses which can be recovered for the survivor is lost wages/income, in addition to any uncovered medical expenses. For more information on these protections, call Family Violence Project Helpline or check out these online resources: Maine Dept. of Labor Poster to print and post at your place of work: http://www.maine.gov/labor/posters/domesticviolence.pdf Maine Victim Compensation Fund website (for more details on requirements for applying and covered expenses): http://www.maine.gov/ag/crime/victimscompensation

FVP VOICE FALL 2016

Domestic Violence and the Workplace

AN OPEN LETTER

By: Nate Richards, Board President

According to Ecclesiastes, life has a rhythm. Our lives and time itself, ebb and flow moving in patterns woven into the universe. We are drawn into situations and with people in unique ways. Then like a quiet tide, time carries us along into other paths marked out for us.

The Family Violence Project is an important place for me to be. The work we do collaborating as board members and as staff is perhaps more vital now than ever. My tenure as president has brought me into contact with people who uniquely exhibit a willingness of spirit connected to each other with the common goal of ending violence within our homes and our families. Being a part of this collaboration has strengthened my personal resolve to continue in the struggle to end domestic violence. Conversely it has also led me to believe that it is only through the help, support and shared talents of a community that this will be possible. In my opinion it is a president’s job within any community to help lead, and particularly by example. It has been my goal these past few years to maintain the integrity and the objectives of the FVP Board while integrating my own experience into the process. It has been a pleasure as well as a tremendous learning experience to have the opportunity to work with such a knowledgeable and diligent group of people. This path has let me to believe peace within our homes is still possible, made all the more tangible through the dedicated passionate work we share here at the Family Violence Project. Thank you for all your support and friendship.

Maine Judicial Branch and FVP

Collaborate on “Red Phone”

With the help of staff from FVP, Maine Judicial Branch has implemented a pilot project making “kiosks” available to persons wishing to file a Protection from Abuse (PFA) or Protection from Harassment (PFH) order. The two kiosks are located in the Capital Judicial Center, equipped with a computer, monitor, and printer. However, it is the “Red Phone” that has helped push greater participation in this pilot project.

The Red Phone is positioned next to the computer and when the receiver is picked up, the call goes directly to the FVP Helpline. PFA forms can be difficult to complete and court staff cannot provide advice to individuals. The Red Phone is an easy way for someone to get the help they need from trained FVP advocates.

Augusta averages 300-400 PFA’s & PFH’s yearly. A month into the pilot, the FVP Helpline is receiving approximately 2-3 calls a week from victims of domestic violence asking for assistance. Just over 20% of people filing protection orders have used the kiosks.

The pilot was expanded to a small, rural court in Bridgton in July. Augusta and Bridgton will run the pilot for a year before determining next steps.

The cost of the equipment is funded by a STOP grant, authorized under the Violence Against Women Act. For more information on the pilot and the Red Phone, contact Rick Record, Director of Court Operations @ 213-2855.

FVP BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016

President: Nate Richards, Pastor in Solon and Norridgewock

Vice President Kate Clearwater, Policy Director, consumers for Affordable Health Care

Treasurer David White, Casework Supervisor, DHHS Adult Protective Services

Secretary Heather Akeley, English Teacher, Cony High School

Rick Barry, Vice President of Patient Services/CNO, Inland Hospital

Maeghan Maloney, District Attorney, Kennebec & Somerset Counties

Chelsea Moeller, Director of Philanthropy , MaineGeneral Health

Ryan Reardon, Sheriff Kennebec County

Jim Ross, Chief Deputy, Somerset County Sheriff Dept.

Lauren Whitman, Owner of Nautilus Whole Health & Premier Marketing Group

Our Job is Being There Assisting Survivors Seeking Safety.

Wendy’s mother was dying of cancer. As the eldest sibling, she was expected to help support her family. Wendy dropped out of college and took a job at a local mall, forever changing her life. It was there she met Hank, who truly seemed to care about her. He stopped by the store, waiting for her during her breaks and after work. Though he was charming, Hank’s intentions were manipulative and calculating; he had done this before. They soon moved in together and were married. Wendy’s new husband coerced her into moving halfway across the world to rural Maine.

Their trailor was without running water and far from the nearest neighbor. Hank strangled Wendy, threatened her life and emotionally abused her. Wendy was not allowed to send money home to her family, he withheld her legal documents, food and access to a phone. She soon became pregnant. Wendy was also caring for a young child that Hank had abducted from his mother. After one brutal beating, on a winter day, Wendy ran through the woods with their in-fant and his young child. Wendy begged for help at a neighbor’s home.

With the assistance of law enforcement, Wendy entered FVP’s emergency shelter, with both children. FVP shelter advocates and legal advocacy specialist helped the older child reunite with his biological mother who was thousands of miles away. Wendy and her baby are now thriving in FVP’s supportive housing program.

This is how victims become survivors with your help! DOMESTIC VIOLENCE affects countless lives in Kennebec and Somerset counties. In 2015, Family Violence Project served 1,962 individuals! In that same year we sheltered 96 people. Advocates on our helpline answered 12,121 calls from people needing help for themselves or someone they know.

Victims of domestic violence, like Wendy, seek assistance from organizations like FVP when their own resources have been exhausted or compromised as a result of abuse. With your donation, we provide advocacy and resources to those with the greatest needs. Please consider donating to our 2016 Annual Appeal. Donation materials will be mailed to you in November. From all of us at FVP and those whose lives you help save – thank you.

Ryan Reardon, Kennebec County Sheriff, has worked in law enforcement for 21 years, the last nine with the Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office, where he began as a deputy. Ryan worked as detective, drug investigator and sergeant before taking over as assistant jail administrator. Ryan worked with the Waterville Police Department for 11 years before joining Kennebec County.

Family Violence Project is honored to have Sheriff Reardon alongside us in our work.

New FVP Board

Member

If someone you care about is being

abused, there are things that you can do:

Express Concern

“I’m afraid for your safety.”

Listen

I’m here for you if you ever want to talk.”

Support

“You don’t deserve to be treated this way.”

Respect Choices

“What can I do to help?”

Offer Resources

“Have you heard of Family Violence Project?

They may be able to give you ideas and support.

Their services are free and confidential.”

Support Yourself

If you are concerned about someone else and want

more information on how to be helpful, Family

Violence Project can offer you assistance.

24/7 Toll Free 1-877-890-7788

“In the end we will remember not the words of

our enemies but the silence of our friends.”

-Martin Luther King, Jr.

It Takes a Community to

T-MOBILE Melissa Marable & Amber Snell

were part of the T-Mobile Employee Team

that collected personal items for residents in

our Somerset House. Thank you T-Mobile.

You are a Community Champion!

Case Management Students at KVCC enlisted the help

from the whole school to provide items for our clients.

Thank you to all.

The Somerset Sampler/Quilt Chapter donated 4 small

quilts to the Skowhegan Outreach Office. Thank you

to all who donated their time to help our survivors.

Underdog Jog

Those who loved Amy Buxton honor her

memory in a most caring and enduring way:

The Annual Amy Buxton Underdog Jog.

This family- and pet- friendly 5k race is an

absolute blast and proceeds benefit the caus-

es Amy supported, including Almost Home

Rescue, Kennebec Valley Humane Society,

and Family Violence Project. Please visit the

website http://www.underdogjog.com/ and

like them on Facebook. Most importantly,

make a note in your calendar for June 2017,

the fifth anniversary of this event. It’s a walk

or a run, with your kids and your pets, in a

community of people who know how to

make a difference. Hope to see you there!

FVP Champions

Camden National Bank, Hope at Home Sukeforth Charitable Foundation

Laflin & Wolfington Realty, Inc. Mid State Machine

Care and Comfort Atlantic Charitable Foundation

Capital Computers Trademark Federal Credit Union

Special Thank You to all the individuals, companies, organizations, schools and the cities towns in Kennebec and

Somerset counties that have contributed to support victims of domestic abuse.

Monmouth Quilters donated 4

quilts to our Shelter survivors.

End Domestic Violence

DOMESTIC ABUSE DOESN’T STAY AT HOME WHEN A VICTIM OR

ABUSER REPORTS TO WORK. “On average, nearly 20 people per minute are

physically abused by an intimate partner in the U.S. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men.”

(CDC survey, 2011) Domestic Violence Homicides continue to

account for 50% or more of all homicides in Maine.

Thirty years ago most people regarded domestic vio-

lence as a family problem that shouldn’t be talked

about openly. Todays Maine Laws protect victims of

domestic violence in employment. Advocates, policy

makers, researchers, and business leaders know that

breaking the silence that surrounds domestic violence

and addressing it in the workplace ending abuse.

Learn what you can do to recognize and

safely respond to domestic violence at your

workplace.

Family Violence Project is reaching out to businesses

in Kennebec and Somerset counties to encourage

them to develop and implement Domestic Violence

Work Place Policy. For more information please

contact: Nan Bell @ 620-9043

Ways you can become involved

as a community, a group

or individual.

Donations for Survivors

Store cards such as Hannaford, Shaw’s,

Target, Walmart or cards for gas

Personal Care Items

New pillows and bedding

Kitchen items

Laundry and Dish Detergent

Backpacks, school items

Ways to Fundraise to Support FVP

Hold a house party

Hold a Paint Night

Collect new items to donate

Car Wash

Walkathon

Attend an FVP fundraising event

Family Violence Project welcomes your

donations and contributions for survivors

who are making life changes by moving

into new living environments and starting

over. Ending abuse does take a

community and we value your help.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Shown on these two pages are events that you might enjoy participating in while

helping to support survivors of domestic abuse.

Brush & Brew Event Sponsored by Somerset Abbey

98 Main St., Madison

October 20, 2016

Doors open at 5:30pm $45.00 per person

Enjoy Cash Bar & Bites

Come join us and have a blast painting and bidding on Silent

Auction items.

FMI & Tickets contact: somersetabby.net

207-696-5800

Help Sweeten the Life of a

Victim of Domestic Violence

by Purchasing this

Restaurant’s

Selected Dessert!

Proceeds from your purchase will

go to the Family Violence Project

Augusta

Lisa’s Restaurant

Hallowell

Quarry Tap Room

Slate’s Bakery

Liberal Cup

Gardiner

A1 Diner

Gardiner Co-Op

Waterville

Last Unicorn

Joseph’s Fireside Grill

Skowhegan

Ken’s Restaurant

Kel-Mat Café

Participating Restaurants

kNOw Violence Task Force

Speak-Out

October 12, 2016

Thomas College, Waterville

5:30—7:30PM

“Citizens Athlete” The Culture of

Male Athletes”

Somerset Domestic Violence

Task Force “Speak-Out“ & Vigil

October 19, 2016

“The Impact of Domestic Violence

on Children”

Vigil 5:00PM Coburn Park

6:00PM Skowhegan City Council Room

Radio Spots with Renee & Mac

92 Moose and B98.5 on

Tuesday Mornings

“DV in the Workplace, how it

impacts employers”

October 4 at 8am

October 11,18 & 25 at 7am

Calloway Coffee House – Cony High Tentative Date October 20th.

Check out our web site for an updated list

of participating restaurants.

www.familyviolenceproject.org

Family Violence Project

P O Box 304

Augusta, Me 04332

Non-Profit Organization

US Postage Paid

Augusta, Maine 04330

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Family Violence Project is a member of the MCEDV—Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence. www.mcedv.org.

Family Violence Project is supported by Maine Department of Health and Human Services and United Way of Kennebec Valley

and United Way Mid Maine .

To Contact Family Violence Project:

Helpline 24/7 coverage 207-623-3569 or Toll Free 1-877-890-7788

Augusta Administrative Office 207-623-8637; Waterville 207-877-0835;

Skowhegan 207-474—8860; Menswork 207-620-8494

www.familyviolenceproject.org

Family Violence Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, religion,

age, ancestry or national origin, gender identity or expression, pregnancy or any other characteristic protected by law.