JDI’s policy framework is driven by our commitment to human rights, racial equity, economic justice, and a belief in prevention.

JDI, our members, and our allies advocate for change through state and federal legislation and funding as well as in public and private systems to improve access to services, resources, and justice for survivors. This work extends to schools, businesses, healthcare, government, and advocacy organizations. We work to create policies that are more responsive to survivors needs, expand resources, and promote prevention strategies which strengthen our communities. 

In 2017 JDI adopted a policy framework to help us set our budget and legislative priorities to be reflective of our commitment to racial and economic justice. We also use this framework along with internal guiding questions to assess what policies and other legislation we will support. This framework is also critical to how we approach our coalition work overall.

Policy & Systems Advocacy

JDI works with advocates locally and across the country to ensure that our laws and public responses reflect the intersectional realities, needs, and experiences of survivors. Every day we interact with elected officials and government agencies to educate them about the issue of sexual and domestic violence and the impact of proposed and existing policies, protocols, and laws. Once federal and state laws are passed, our efforts then turn to the critical work of implementation and monitoring to analyze a laws effectiveness and unintended consequences.

Essential to JDI’s policy advocacy success is the united voices of members, survivors, and other community allies. Through JDI’s Policy Committee which is comprised of staff from member programs in every region of Massachusetts, we both identify emerging needs and review legislative and administrative options. Our entire membership helps to make sure that elected officials hear the stories of those impacted by gender-based violence in their communities. We invite our supporters to take action and share their stories as well. JDI provides leadership and coordination to amplify these voices through our advocacy for public funding, legislative change, and systems reform that will help create a safer and healthier Commonwealth.

State Budget Priorities

In partnership with our members, JDI educates and collaborates with the Massachusetts Legislature and Governor’s Office to ensure that Massachusetts has a strong network of services ready to provide critical, community-based resources to meet the needs of sexual and domestic violence survivors and their families. State funding provides essential financial resources so that local programs can effectively provide a range of culturally-appropriate services to survivors and those impacted. This includes everything from such as individual and group support to residential programs and assistance navigating complex systems such as the courts, medical care, and immigration.

JDI’s Recent Budget Advocacy Success

• FY20: An additional $1M in funding for prevention programming
• FY19: An additional $3M in funding for service
• FY18: An additional $100,000 for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program

Budget Process

The state budget runs from July 1 to June 30 and is voted on annually. The process formally begins in January when the Governor submits a proposed budget to the Legislature and is designed to end by June 30th after the House and Senate have reviewed and agreed to a budget. JDI’s budget advocacy focuses on securing funding for community-based programs, prevention programming, and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program.  You can help make sure these funds are allocated by talking to the elected officials representing your community and letting them know why its important to you that these services be available.

State Legislative Agenda

JDI works with our members, allied organizations, and elected and government officials to assess the need for changes to the Massachusetts General Laws and to help develop legislative remedies that will advance how we meet the needs of survivors.

As one of the foremost experts on sexual and domestic violence in Massachusetts, JDI’s opinion and participation is sought as bills are drafted, discussed, and decided. Each two-year legislative session, from the time legislation is introduced until the final vote, JDI to influence the outcome of bills filed that specifically relate to sexual and domestic violence and/or will have an impact on the lives of survivors and their families. Our strong reputation and relationships on Beacon Hill have yielded numerous advances over the past four decades.

Selection of Recent Legislative Success

• 2017-2018: PATCH Act (ensuring confidential health care); ACCESS Act (regarding affordable birth control ) Criminal Justice Reform; Regulating Firearms; NASTY Women Act (removing access to abortion)
• 2015-2016: Transgender Anti-Discrimination; Pay Equity; Preservation of Evidence for Victims of Rape & Sexual Assault
• 2013-2014: An Act Relative to Domestic Violence

Federal Budget and Policy Priorities

JDI also advocates for victim-centered public policy on the federal level. We actively engage with the Massachusetts Congressional Delegation to advocate for federal acts and initiatives that provide legal options, services, and funding. For example, the success of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) depend on our continued advocacy in collaboration with our national partners. JDI also provides elected officials and federal agencies with feedback about the impact of proposed and new legislation and proposed rules on related topics ranging from firearms to Title IX to immigration.

JDI staff travel annually to Washington, DC to participate in the NNEDV and NAESV sponsored advocacy events and meet face-to-face with the Massachusetts Delegation. We also coordinate with local programs to meet with U.S. Senators and Representatives in their districts.

A little more about the key federal funding sources and legislative initiatives

FVPSA, first authorized in 1984, is dedicated to supporting domestic violence shelters and programs. VAWA, first authorized in 1994, created and supports comprehensive responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. VOCA is larger in scope in that this piece of federal legislation is intended to support state and local programs that assist victims of all crimes.

VAWA, VOCA and FVPSA authorize federal funding that is distributed to states to support sexual and domestic violence community-based programs and coalitions. JDI and Massachusetts community-based programs rely on this funding to continue our work providing resources and support to survivors and those impacted. JDI continues to advocate for the reauthorization of these Acts to ensure funding continues to be appropriated to support this critical work.