Mary Jo, Director of Outreach and Education – RESTORE, was asked to write an article for the Monroe County Domestic Violence Consortium April newsletter to lift up Sexual Assault Awareness Month! To see the newsletter and read Mary Jo’s article, click here.
Here are some specific ways for you to support the work of RESTORE, Sexual Assault Services:
Support RESTORE and their clients:
- Submit a Letter of Hope to RESTORE! Write or draw a note of support and encouragement to a survivor of sexual assault, take a picture of it, and send it in an email to [email protected]. Check out some examples here!
- Apply to be a Volunteer Advocate with RESTORE! Volunteers must be at least 20 years old, have access to reliable transportation, and access to a cell phone. If interested, email [email protected].
Learn about and show support for legislation that would prevent sexual assault and support survivors:
- Show your support for NYS Senate Bill S452A / Assembly Bill A5519A, which would close the "voluntary intoxication loophole." Read more about this bill here.
- Show your support for NYS Senate Bill S2584A / Assembly Bill A6616, which would require Comprehensive Sex Education to be taught in all public k-12 schools in NYS. Read more about this bill here.
How to show your support for the bills mentioned above:
- Contact your elected officials in the NYS Senate and Assembly!
- Find out who your NYS Senators and Assemblymembers are. You can contact them via their website contact form, email, phone, or by sending a letter in the mail.
- What do you say?
- Introduce yourself! Tell them your name and what town you live in (so they know you’re their constituent).
- Are they a co-sponsor of these bills? (You can find this info on the bill webpages linked above)
- If yes, thank them for supporting this legislation! Let them know that it’s important to you.
- If no, tell them why you support this legislation and ask them (nicely!) to become a co-sponsor.
- Talk to your friends and family about this legislation! There is a lot of misinformation out there, especially about the Comprehensive Sex Ed bill. Getting the facts out there to others is really important!