The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) will host its 24th Annual Voices of Courage Spring Luncheon on Wednesday, May 13, at the Tokeneke Club in Darien. This year’s event will feature keynote speaker Judith Clark, director of the Survivor Justice Project, a leading advocate for legislation supporting survivors of domestic violence within the criminal legal system.
Clark is at the forefront of efforts to advance survivor justice legislation, working to create a more compassionate and equitable legal framework for individuals whose experiences of abuse have contributed to their involvement in the justice system. Her remarks come at a critical time, as the Connecticut Survivors Justice Act (SB 1502) is currently under consideration during this legislative session.
The proposed legislation would introduce trauma-informed sentencing, allow for sentence modification, and expand parole and commutation opportunities for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or trafficking whose abuse played a role in their criminalized actions. It also aims to reduce mandatory minimum sentences in such cases.
“This is a valuable opportunity to learn firsthand how this legislation impacts domestic violence victims in our community,” DVCC Chief Executive Officer Suzanne Adam said.
Clark currently serves as director of the Survivor Justice Project, which works to implement New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act and promote decarceration for survivors. She is also a visiting scholar at the CUNY Graduate Center, collaborates with Brooklyn Law School’s Criminal Defense and Advocacy Clinic, and lectures at Columbia Law School and Union Theological Seminary. Clark has written extensively on topics including incarceration, motherhood and community-building among women in prison.
“I am honored to talk about the groundbreaking impact of New York’s Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act and the importance of advocacy efforts to pass a Survivors Justice Act in Connecticut,” Clark said. “I am pleased and honored that the Voices of Courage Luncheon is shining a light on efforts to support domestic violence survivors ensnared in the criminal legal system, who are too often left out of domestic violence advocacy and service efforts. At the same time, I am proud to support DVCC, because the work of crisis centers can prevent the tragic harms that lead survivors into the criminal legal system by providing safety and support.”
“All too often, people think domestic violence doesn’t happen in Fairfield County — but I can tell you it does,” Adam said. “Voices of Courage is not only a wonderful event, it is critical to our mission. Funds raised from the luncheon ensure we will be there to answer the call when a domestic violence victim needs our services.”
Last year, DVCC provided direct services to 3,454 survivors across Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, New Canaan, Weston, Westport and Wilton. Proceeds from the luncheon will support DVCC’s ongoing mission to provide essential services, advocacy and education to prevent and eliminate domestic violence in Connecticut communities.
DVCC offers a comprehensive range of free and confidential services, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, emergency safe housing, counseling for adults and youth, legal advocacy, housing and financial support, and prevention education.
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the Voices of Courage Spring Luncheon are available on the Domestic Violence Crisis Center Voices of Courage event page.
The Domestic Violence Crisis Center mission is to prevent and eliminate domestic violence by educating our communities and supporting individuals in building safer lives. DVCC offers a full range of services including crisis intervention through its 24-hour hotline and two emergency safe houses, adult and youth counseling, legal advocacy, housing and financial sustainability, and prevention education. Serving the communities of Norwalk, Stamford, New Canaan, Darien, Westport, Weston and Wilton, all services are free and confidential.
