Fall Update 2016

IN THIS ISSUE… Passage of SB 813 – Eliminating the Statute of Limitations of Rape and Other Sex Related Crimes, Training Webinar: Join Us November 9th!, Distinguished Speaker Series with David Codell: November 16th, October: Domestic Violence Awareness Month, CWLC and the Los Angeles Sparks #WeAreWomen Campaign

California Legislature Sends ‘Justice for Victims Act’ To Governor

California lawmakers in the Assembly and the Senate passed SB 813, the ‘Justice for Victims Act,’ which would …

Female Athletes Gaining Equity in Santa Paula

SAN FRANCISCO — State data show that many schools and many park and recreation departments across California offer girls and boys unequal sports programs. Equity has been required by federal law since 1972.

Santa Paula High School (SPHS) is making significant improvements after a legal team led by the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC), the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC), and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (Simpson Thacher) brought attention to potential issues in Santa Paula’s facilities and sports programs for girls. LAS-ELC and its co-counsel have been shining a light on athletic gender inequities in schools throughout the state in recent years, spurring changes.

Senator Leyva Introduces “Justice for Victims Act”

SACRAMENTO – On the first day of the 2016 legislative session, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today introduced important bipartisan legislation to end the statute of limitations for rape and related crimes in California. SB 813 seeks to ensure justice for victims and survivors of felony sexual offenses by allowing the indefinite criminal prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration.

Senator Leyva: Eliminate Statute of Limitations for Rape

SACRAMENTO – In order to ensure justice for victims and survivors of felony sexual offenses, Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) today announced that—when the California State Senate reconvenes in early January—she will introduce legislation to end the statute of limitations for rape and related crimes.

Specifically, this legislation will seek to allow the indefinite criminal prosecution of rape, sodomy, lewd or lascivious acts, continuous sexual abuse of a child, oral copulation, and sexual penetration. Currently, existing California law generally limits the prosecution of a felony sexual offense to only 10 years after the offense is committed, unless DNA evidence is found which then offers a victim additional time.

ABC’s of Breastfeeding in Los Angeles County School Districts

LOS ANGELES — When it comes to accommodating lactating students who would like to pump their breast milk or feed their babies, school districts in Los Angeles County get a grade of “D” on a report card a coalition of groups advocating reproductive justice released today.

And districts don’t fare much better when it comes to accommodating lactating employees. A teacher who asked to remain anonymous remembers her female co-workers would gather outside the bathroom, the only place where she could pump breast milk, and “Moooo.”

Clayton Valley Charter High School Title IX Case

CONCORD, CALIFORNIA – A settlement has been reached between Clayton Valley Charter High School (Clayton High) and its female athletes to increase equality in high school athletic opportunities, treatment and benefits. Clayton High has agreed to: improve and maintain equitable athletic facilities for girls and boys; offer additional girls’ athletic teams; increase outreach to girls to participate in sports; and provide additional Title IX training to its coaches and administrators, among other things.

Support the Military Justice Improvement Act – Justice for Survivors of Military Sexual Assault

The Senate is considering amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that would allow Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) to reform the methods the military uses to dismiss some crimes. MJIA would put cases such as military sexual assault in the hands of independent military prosecutors instead of letting them stay in the
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CWLC, LAS-ELC and Simpson Thacher Urge Santa Paula School to Ensure it Provides Equal Sports Opportunities to Girls

The most recent data from the federal Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights’ website indicates that at Santa Paula High School fewer girls played sports than boys in relation to enrollment.

According to the Department website comprised of data compiled from high schools, 50.4% of students are girls, yet 44.2% of the athletic program are female participants – an approximate difference of 6%.

CWLC Advocates for Women’s Economic Empowerment with A Stronger California

SACRAMENTO – Economic equality, poverty, and child care advocates joined legislators at a press conference this week calling for new policies to help secure women’s economic empowerment in California, which will benefit families and communities across the state. The advocates and elected leaders are asking state policymakers to support an agenda in the coming year that approaches women’s economic opportunities across multiple policy areas. A Stronger California is the multi-year campaign advocating for this coordinated and comprehensive set of policies.

CWLC Attorneys Receive CLAY Award

California Lawyer magazine announced Wednesday that it is honoring the attorneys who achieved a landmark 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision in the California Women’s Law Center case Ollier v. Sweetwater Union High School District, et. al. with its 2015 Attorney of the Year (CLAY) Award.

Former CWLC attorneys J. Cacilia Kim and Vicky L. Barker are receiving the award with Elizabeth Kristen, a senior staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center, and Erin C. Witkow, a partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips LLP.

CWLC Urges The Supreme Court to Ensure Some Judicial Review of Immigration Decisions that Keep Families Apart

On Tuesday, January 20, the California Women’s Law Center filed an amicus curiae brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to require the State Department to provide, at minimum, a “facially legitimate and bona fide reason” when denying a visa to a U.S. citizen’s foreign spouse. CWLC argues that the visa denial implicates the citizen’s fundamental liberty interest in marriage and family; therefore, the Government must show that it did not deny the visa for arbitrary or discriminatory reasons.

Partner Event: Los Angeles Coalition Against Wage Theft – Wage Theft Ordinance Hearing Press Conference

On Tuesday, December 9th, the Wage Theft Ordinance will be heard in the Economic Development Committee at City Hall. The Los Angeles Coalition Against Wage Theft needs your support to show City Councilmembers that Los Angeles needs an anti-wage theft policy now. Our partners will be hosting a press conference at City Hall at 12:30pm
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From LA Progressive: What Skeletons Does Hobby Lobby Have in Its Closet?

What Skeletons Does Hobby Lobby Have in Its Closet? By Maya Paley, National Council of Jewish Women/Los Angeles This past Saturday, the Reproductive Justice Coalition of Los Angeles (RJCLA), held a protest at the Burbank Hobby Lobby store: Hobby Lobby and Contraception: What skeletons does Hobby Lobby have in its closet? Nearly 25 people came representing
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California Legislative Session Ends on a Positive Note for Women and Girls

Governor Jerry Brown Signs Bills Guaranteeing Paid Sick Days, Preventing Pregnancy Discrimination for Students, Ensuring Access to Contraception and Prohibiting Sterilization of Female Inmates Among Others

LOS ANGELES – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) is pleased to report that California Governor Jerry Brown ended the legislative session this week by signing several bills focused on increased legal protections for women and girls in California.

Title IX Victory: Ninth Circuit Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation

CWLC along with our partners at the Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (LAS-ELC) and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP, are excited to share another victory in our Title IX class action suit in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday. This September, the Ninth Circuit awarded a class of female athletes, represented by CWLC
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Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation of Title IX

For Immediate Release September 19, 2014 Contact: Sara Feldman, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center – sfeldman@las-elc.org, 617-276-5632 Andrew DeBlock, California Women’s Law Center -­ andrew.deblock@cwlc.org, 978-821-0185 Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds Sweetwater Union High School District in Violation of Title IX Girls at Castle Park High School Will Now Have Equal Access to Sports
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The Supreme Court May Have Ruled on Hobby Lobby, but They Are Wrong

The Supreme Court May Have Ruled on Hobby Lobby, but They Are Wrong Laura Herrera, California Women’s Law Center Laura is currently participating in the 2014 Center for American Progress Faith and Reproductive Justice Leadership Institute I was stunned and appalled by the Supreme Court’s decision on the Hobby Lobby case, which infringes on a
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From the Pasadena Star News: Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint

Pasadena Unified reaches informal agreement in Title IX complaint By Sarah Favot, Pasadena Star-News PASADENA >> The Pasadena Unified School District reached an informal settlement with the California Women’s Law Center and other groups over a complaint the district discriminated against girls in its after-school sports programs for middle school students. The California Women’s Law Center,
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Spring 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: The 2014 Pursuit of Justice Awards, Updated Mission | New Location, Chief Justice Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Staff in the Community

Court Finds Sweetwater Union High School District Failed to Correct Title IX Violations – Contempt Finding Possible

Court Finds Sweetwater Union High School District Failed to Correct Title IX Violations – Contempt Finding Possible FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Vicky Barker, Legal Director, California Women’s Law Center: 323-951-9276, vicky.barker@cwlc.org Sara Feldman, Communications Manager, Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center: 415-593-0071, sfeldman@las-elc.org (San Diego, CA, March 28, 2014) U.S. District Court Judge M. James Lorenz
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Winter 2014 Update

IN THIS ISSUE: Speaker Series – CWLC launches our Distinguished Guest Speaker Series with Erwin Chemerinsky and David Codell, Defending a Victim of Military Sexual Assault, “Cruz v. Alhambra”, Staff in the Community

Alhambra High School Reaches Compliance with Settlement Agreement in Landmark Title IX Case

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONTACTS: Vicky Barker, California Women’s Law Center (323) 951-9276, vicky.barker@cwlc.org.   Elizabeth Kristen, The Legal Aid Society-Employment Law Center (510) 501-4692, ekristen@las-elc.org.   Brad Walsh, Title IX Coordinator, Alhambra Unified School District (626) 943-3520. walsh_brad@ausd.us   Alhambra High School Reaches Compliance with Settlement Agreement in Landmark Title IX Case Female
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER ENFORCES TITLE IX, COMPELLING SCHOOL TO ALLOW PREGNANT STUDENT TO COMPLETE PROGRAM AND GRADUATE ON TIME

Date: September 26, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew DeBlock andrew.deblock@cwlc.org   LOS ANGELES – Today, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) announced that Tiffany Rollins, a student in the Veterinary Technology Program at Yuba College, has successfully completed her coursework and earned an Associate of Science Degree in Veterinary Technology. Ms. Rollins was the
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER SUPPORTS AUDIT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT POLICIES AT CALIFORNIA COLLEGES

Date:  August 28, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew DeBlock andrew.deblock@cwlc.org LOS ANGELES – Today, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) announced its support for Assemblymember Anthony Rendon’s audit of the sexual assault policies of four California schools including UC Berkley and three other institutions still to be named. “The California Women’s Law Center applauds
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER VOICES SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILLS THAT PROTECT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Date:  August 14, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew DeBlock andrew.deblock@cwlc.org LOS ANGELES – Today, the California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) joined the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence in support of Assembly Bill 139 and Assembly Bill 81.  Both bills have passed through the California State Legislature and moved to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk
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CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LAW CENTER APPLAUDS LEGISLATORS’ CALL FOR INVESTIGATION OF STERILIZATIONS IN PRISONS

Date: July 11, 2013 For Immediate Release Contact: Andrew DeBlock andrew.deblock@cwlc.org LOS ANGELES – The California Women’s Law Center (CWLC) applauds and supports the California Legislative Women’s Caucus in their call for an investigation into the alleged sterilization of 148 women incarcerated in California correctional facilities between 2006 and 2010. “We decry this undoubtedly unconstitutional
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Senator Barbara Boxer Visits CWLC to Highlight Military Sexual Trauma

On May 31st, 2013, the California Women’s Law Center hosted a press conference with U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer and military sexual assault survivor, Stacey Thompson. Senator Boxer is a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 967, the Military Justice Improvement Act of 2013. The bill, authored by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, addresses Military Sexual Trauma (MST) by removing
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