Category: Blog
Protect Survivor Services: A Call to Act in Massachusetts
Protect Survivor Services: A Call to Act in Massachusetts By Stacy MaloneExecutive Director, Victim Rights Law Center Throughout VRLC’s history, we’ve navigated many funding and staffing headwinds, including recessions, a global pandemic, the Great Resignation, and hostile political landscapes. But the uncertainty we are facing right now is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. As we […]
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The Case for Victim Representation in Criminal Cases
The Case for Victim Representation in Criminal Cases By Maura CrossinAssistant Director of Training and Consultation, Victim Rights Law Center “The research literature has identified three factors that universally lead to stress: uncertainty, the lack of information and the loss of control.”– Dr. Gabor Maté Criminal cases are usually messy, confusing, and long- especially for sexual […]
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Protecting Our Vulnerable Students
Protecting Our Vulnerable Students By Katrina EberlySenior Attorney The current administration is intent on demolishing our federal system. Their focus on federalism and states’ rights has led to the dismantling of our federal Department of Education. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts government is taking active steps to protect our vulnerable K-12 students. In August 2025, Massachusetts enacted […]
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Should states pick up the pieces left by the decimation of the U.S. Department of Ed?
Should states pick up the pieces left by the decimation of the U.S. Department of Ed? By Tiffany HesterSenior Education Attorney The U.S. Department of Education and all its offices have been gutted. Although the federal laws that the Department is supposed to enforce remain unchanged, those laws (Title IX, IDEA, Section 504, FERPA, etc.) […]
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Hands On Advocacy! A Video Series
Hands On Advocacy! A Video Series Legal advocates across the country provide vital support to survivors navigating a confusing and overwhelming system. VRLC’s Legal Empowerment Advocacy Project provides support to advocates facing difficult cases, looking for additional training, or working through questions. But it can be hard to fit a full hour (or 90 min!) […]
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Fighting for OCR. Fighting for Survivors.
Fighting for OCR. Fighting for Survivors. By Amanda WalshDeputy Director, External Affairs, Victim Rights Law Center A system doesn’t have to be perfect for it to be valuable. That’s something I’ve come to learn after 14+ years of engaging with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR). And that’s why VRLC, along […]
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Advocacy Confidential – May 2025
By Carol SchraderSenior Attorney, National Training and Consultation, Victim Rights Law Center This post is dedicated to Charissa, Katelyn, and Shara. Dear Fierce Survivors, Advocates, and Allies, Welcome back to my blog series – Advocacy Confidential. Where we sip tea1 and muse together about confidentiality’s role with our violence-abolition movement. I hope you, my most […]
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Disability Awareness: Understanding the Intersection in Our Work
By Charissa FlegeSenior Attorney, National Training and Consultation, Victim Rights Law Center We were beginning to see our lack of access as a problem with society, rather than our individual problem. From our perspective, disability was something that could happen to anyone at any time, and frequently did, so it was right for society to […]
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Advocacy Confidential – December 2024
By Carol SchraderSenior Attorney, National Training and Consultation, Victim Rights Law Center Dear Fierce Survivors, Advocates, and Allies, Welcome back to my blog series – Advocacy Confidential. Where we sip tea1 and muse together about the role of confidentiality in our violence-abolition movement. Are you hunkering down into the slower, more insular rhythms of Autumn-into-Winter? […]
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Legal Update: Changes to 209A and 258E Restraining Orders Expand Protections for Massachusetts Survivors
Legal Update: Changes to 209A and 258E Restraining Orders Expand Protections for Massachusetts Survivors By Moire BalsamSenior Attorney, Victim Rights Law Center Recent changes to Massachusetts laws expand the protections available under 209A Abuse Prevention and 258E Harassment Prevention Orders. These updates make it easier for survivors to apply for and receive these critical orders. […]
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