County Attorney Press Releases : Violence Against Women

Jo Anne Bernal To Be Presented With The 2012 La Mujer Obrera Award

edominguez — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 23:30:00 GMT

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal has been named one of the three recipients of the 2012 "La Mujer Obrera Award" for her advocacy work to fight domestic violence in El Paso County.

The awards recognize local community leaders that fight to promote and uphold the rights of women on the border.

The 2012 honorees are:

Olivia Figueroa: Executive Director of Project AYUDA for helping San Elizario colonias residents to have access to dignified housing.

Dr. Yolanda Leyva: Professor of History at the University of Texas at El Paso, for her advocacy work in support of labor & human rights.

Jo Anne Bernal: El Paso County Attorney for her work to address domestic violence through prevention campaigns targeting local youth, and her support for the creation of the first "Protective Order Court" in El Paso County.

Last year the County Attorney's Office, along with the District Attorney's Office, launched the educational campaign "Don't Let Yourself." The main objective of the campaign is to reduce the incidence of dating violence among teens in El Paso County, and also educate adults about the problem of domestic violence in our community.

Since February 2011, when the campaign was unveiled, it's materials have been used to educate more than 9,500 local students and parents, and the educational videos created for the program just recently won 3 Gold Addy Awards, including the best of show award, by the Advertising Federation of El Paso.

In an effort to better serve victims of domestic violence who live in the outlying areas of the County, the County Attorney's Office has also opened two satellite offices in Ysleta and Northeast El Paso. Now victims of domestic violence do not have to travel long distances to downtown El Paso to obtain a free protective order.

The "La Mujer Obrera" awards will be presented at the annual "International Women's Day Benefit Dinner," to be held on Thursday March 8, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. at Mercado Mayapán, 2101 Myrtle, El Paso, TX.

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Mujer Obrera Award Press Release.pdf

Procuradora Del Condado Y Fiscal De Distrito Anuncian Iniciativa Para Combatir La Violencia Doméstica Y En El Noviazgo

edominguez — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:39:00 GMT

Incluye videos, materiales y presentaciones disponibles para todas las escuelas de nivel bachillerato ("high schools")

Hoy viernes 11 de Febrero del 2011, la Procuradora del Condado de El Paso Jo Anne Bernal y el Fiscal de Distrito Jaime Esparza anunciaron una nueva iniciativa conjunta para reducir la violencia doméstica y en el noviazgo dentro del condado.

La campaña "¡No Te Dejes! Don't Let Yourself," fue creada gracias a una beca de $80,000 otorgada por el Departamento de Justicia Criminal de la Oficina del Gobernador de Texas Rick Perry.

Esta iniciativa incluye la producción de videos que reflejan la cultura y situaciones de la vida fronteriza, y que van dirigidos a estudiantes de bachillerato ("high school") y padres de familia. Los videos, creados por la compañía productora local "MindWarp Entertainment," serán utilizados junto con materiales educativos que abarcan temas como la violencia doméstica y el abuso juvenil durante el noviazgo. Talleres didácticos que incluyen exhibiciones publicas de los videos serán impartidas por empleados de ambas dependencias públicas a estudiantes, directivos escolares, padres de familia y grupos comunitarios del condado de El Paso.

La primer dramatización tiene una duración de 16 minutos y describe las experiencias que sufre una adolescente víctima del abuso en el noviazgo, tales como la intimidación, el aislamiento y la violencia física que ejerce el abusador sobre ella para controlarla.

El segundo video, creado en inglés y en español, describe situaciones que se presentan en casos de violencia domestica entre adultos, tales como la coerción económica y el abuso sexual, la utilización de los hijos como herramienta de manipulación, y la explotación de la situación migratoria para controlar las víctimas.

Esta iniciativa es única porque todos los materiales reflejan la cultura y situaciones que son específicas de El Paso y de otras comunidades a lo largo de la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México. Al tratarse de materiales que reflejan la cultura local, se logra una mejor conexión emocional con el público, por lo que el mensaje resulta más efectivo. Hasta el momento estudiantes que han tenido la oportunidad de ver anticipadamente el video sobre violencia en el noviazgo han respondido muy positivamente al mensaje.

La iniciativa también incluye la creación de una página de Internet interactiva, y materiales didácticos que discuten las dinámicas de la violencia doméstica y del abuso en el noviazgo, prevención del problema, así como una explicación de cómo y dónde buscar ayuda en el condado de El Paso. Otros de los tópicos que se incluyen son el acceso a la protección policiaca, el uso de las órdenes de protección, y la disponibilidad de refugios y servicios de consejería.

Personal de ambas oficinas ofrecerán presentaciones a todas las escuelas locales que lo soliciten. Las presentaciones ayudarán a que los distritos escolares cumplan con una ley estatal aprobada en Mayo del 2007 que los obliga a implementar programas de prevención de la violencia en el noviazgo.

Al comentar sobre la importancia del proyecto, el Fiscal de Distrito Jaime Esparza explicó:

"Esta iniciativa detonará conversaciones sobre el daño que causa la violencia intrafamiliar en nuestra comunidad. Esperamos ayudar igualmente a adultos y jóvenes a reconocer las señales de alerta de una relación abusiva, y proveerles información sobre cómo pueden recibir ayuda si se encuentran en esa situación, o si son victimas de la violencia domestica," dijo Esparza.

Por su parte la Procuradora del Condado Jo Anne Bernal dijo que "esta iniciativa es única porque es la primera vez que dos agencias judiciales en el Condado de El Paso se unen para crear un programa contra la violencia domestica que busca procurar justicia educando, disuadiendo, y previniendo la violencia familiar antes de que exista la necesidad de una intervención policiaca."

Las Oficinas del Fiscal de Distrito y de la Procuradora del Condado comenzarán a programar presentaciones con los distritos escolares locales a partir del 1ero de Marzo. La página de Internet interactiva comenzará a funcionar en esa misma fecha.

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Boletín Iniciativa No Te Dejes.pdf

El Paso County Attorney And District Attorney Unveil New Initiative Against Domestic/Dating Violence

edominguez — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 22:32:00 GMT

Program includes videos, materials and presentations to be offered to local high schools

On Friday, February 11, 2011, El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal and District Attorney Jaime Esparza unveiled a bold new initiative to reduce domestic and dating violence in El Paso County.

This comprehensive initiative entitled "¡No Te Dejes! Don't Let Yourself," was made possible by an $80,000 grant from the Criminal Justice Department of the Texas Governor's Office.

The initiative includes the production of culturally sensitive videos targeted at local area high school students and their parents. The videos, created by local production company "MindWarp Entertainment," will be used in conjunction with a comprehensive domestic/teen dating violence curriculum. Both offices will offer the video and training curriculum to students, school administrators, parents and community groups in El Paso County.

The first video is a 16-minute dramatization that explores issues related to abusive teen dating relationships, such as the use of intimidation, isolation and physical violence to exercise power and control over the victim.

The second video, created in English and Spanish, addresses issues of domestic violence in adult relationships, such as economic and sexual abuse, the use of children to manipulate and the immigration considerations of victims involved in abusive relationships.

The project is unique in that all aspects of the initiative were designed to reflect situations, cultures and issues specific to El Paso and other border communities along the U.S.-Mexico border. Culturally sensitive materials connect better with the audience and make the message more effective. So far students have responded well to previews of the teen dating violence video.

The initiative also includes the creation of an interactive webpage and the development of a comprehensive curriculum that covers the dynamics of domestic/teen dating violence, as well as prevention and intervention resources available within the El Paso community. Some of the topics include access to law enforcement, safety planning, the use of protective orders, availability of shelter and counseling services, and criminal prosecution of offenders.

Presentation of the teen dating violence video and corresponding curriculum will be offered to all interested school districts in the El Paso area to comply with state legislation which went into effect May of 2007. The legislation, found in Section 37.0831 of the Education Code, mandates the implementation of a dating violence policy to be included in each district's improvement plan.

Commenting on the importance of the project, District Attorney Jaime Esparza explained, "this important initiative will jumpstart the conversation across our community about the harm of violent relationships. We hope to help young people and adults alike, recognize the warning signs of abusive relationships and equip them with information on how they can get help if they become a victim of an abusive relationship or family violence," Esparza said.

El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said "the groundbreaking initiative is the first time the two prosecutors' offices in El Paso County have collaborated to create a domestic violence program that aims to ensure justice by proactively educating, deterring and preventing the occurrence of family violence before the need for prosecutorial intervention."

The County and District Attorneys' Offices will start scheduling presentations with local school districts on March 1, 2011. The interactive webpage will go live on the same date.

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Don't Let Yourself Press Release.pdf

LGBT WEEK-LONG DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS EVENTS

edominguez — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 19:03:00 GMT

No Fear, No Guilt, No Shame Campaign

El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodriguez today announced a week-long series of events aimed to inform the ***, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community about resources available in our community to combat domestic violence.

             The “No Fear, No Guilt, No Shame” campaign was organized by the County Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the organization “Puentes LGBT Resources” to reduce the incidence of domestic violence among members of the LGBT community. Gay and *** community members will receive information about programs and agencies that can provide help to victims of intimate partner violence.

             The series of events are structured in a way that allows members of the legal and law enforcement agencies to answer questions and present information on available services to members of the LGBT community. At the same time, service providers will be able to learn about specific issues affecting victims within the LGBT community, and how to help them more efficiently to cope and recover from domestic violence experiences.

             Gay and *** couples experience domestic violence like everyone else. Often, victims struggle with the pain on their own, fearing that law enforcement and other agencies will judge them harshly or ignore their complaints.

              The campaign will begin on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at the El Paso County Courthouse with a community forum where the organizers will discuss the results of a survey that reveals the prevalence of LGBT domestic violence in El Paso.

            The week-long activities will end on Saturday October 25, 2008 with a presentation on the domestic violence movement in LGBT communities at the state and national levels. “This conference is the latest in a series of efforts focused on raising domestic violence awareness in the community; previous conferences have been directed towards teens and the general population. This conference will focus on another, perhaps more, vulnerable population: the gay and *** community,” explained County Attorney José R. Rodríguez.

WHO:       El Paso County Attorney's Office and Puentes LGBT Resources

WHAT:     No Fear, No Shame, No Guilt Campaign

WHEN:     October 21 thru the 25, 2008

WHERE: Several locations

Tuesday October 21, 2008 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Community Forum: Domestic and Dating Violence in LGBT Relationships
El Paso County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio, 3^rd floor

Wednesday October 22, 2008 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Roundtable Discussion: Legal Aspects of LGBT Violence
The Percolator, 217 N Stanton St. (by invitation only)

Thursday October 23, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion: LGBT Issues in Domestic Violence
Center Against Family Violence, 580 Giles Rd.

Friday October 24, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Presentation: Legal Advocacy for LGBT Communities|
Metropolitan Community Church, 216 S. Ochoa St.

Saturday October 25, 2008 1:45 -2:30 p.m.

Presentation: Reaching Out to LGBT Victims of Intimate Partner Violence
Region 19 ESC Head Start Multi-Purpose Center, 11670 Chito Samaniego

For more information about a particular event please call Sam Aguilera at (915) 526-1350.

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LGBT Domestic Violence Press Release.pdf

WEEK-LONG DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS EVENTS FOR THE ***,GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY

edominguez — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:13:00 GMT

No Fear, No Guilt, No Shame Campaign
             El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodriguez today announced a week-long series of events aimed to inform the ***, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community about resources available in our community to combat domestic violence.

             The “No Fear, No Guilt, No Shame” campaign was organized by the County Attorney’s Office in conjunction with the organization “Puentes LGBT Resources” to reduce the incidence of domestic violence among members of the LGBT community. Gay and *** community members will receive information about programs and agencies that can provide help to victims of intimate partner violence.

             The series of events are structured in a way that allows members of the legal and law enforcement agencies to answer questions and present information on available services to members of the LGBT community. At the same time, service providers will be able to learn about specific issues affecting victims within the LGBT community, and how to help them more efficiently to cope and recover from domestic violence experiences.

             Gay and *** couples experience domestic violence like everyone else. Often, victims struggle with the pain on their own, fearing that law enforcement and other agencies will judge them harshly or ignore their complaints.

              The campaign will begin on Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at the El Paso County Courthouse with a community forum where the organizers will discuss the results of a survey that reveals the prevalence of LGBT domestic violence in El Paso.

             The week-long activities will end on Saturday October 25, 2008 with a presentation on the domestic violence movement in LGBT communities at the state and national levels. “This conference is the latest in a series of efforts focused on raising domestic violence awareness in the community; previous conferences have been directed towards teens and the general population. This conference will focus on another, perhaps more, vulnerable population: the gay and *** community,” explained County Attorney José R. Rodríguez.

WHO:       El Paso County Attorney's Office and Puentes LGBT Resources
WHAT:     No Fear, No Shame, No Guilt CampaignWHEN:     October 21 thru the 25, 2008
WHERE: Several locations

Tuesday October 21, 2008 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Community Forum: Domestic and Dating Violence in LGBT Relationships
El Paso County Courthouse, 500 E. San Antonio, 3^rd floor

Wednesday October 22, 2008 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Roundtable Discussion: Legal Aspects of LGBT Violence
The Percolator, 217 N Stanton St. (by invitation only)

Thursday October 23, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Panel Discussion: LGBT Issues in Domestic Violence
Center Against Family Violence, 580 Giles Rd.

Friday October 24, 2008 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Presentation: Legal Advocacy for LGBT Communities
Metropolitan Community Church, 216 S. Ochoa St.

Saturday October 25, 2008 1:45 -2:30 p.m.

LGBT Domestic Violence Press Release.pdf

Teen Dating Violence Seminar: Hip-Hop and Violence

edominguez — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 17:29:00 GMT

INTERNATIONALLY RENOWNED FILMMAKER COMES TO EL PASO TO DISCUSS THE VIOLENT CULTURE OF HIP-HOP

Will lead discussion on how rap music is fueling dating violence among teens El Paso County Attorney José R. Rodriguez is proud to invite members of the media to participate in a press conference with award-winning documentary filmmaker, writer, and anti-sexist activist Byron Hurt. Mr. Hurt will be in El Paso on Wednesday October 1^st, 2008 to participate in the County Attorney’s Office Annual Teen Dating Violence workshop, which this year will feature his documentary “Hip-Hop: Beyond the Beats and Rhymes.” The filmmaker will conduct a pre-screening discussion of the film, followed by a viewing of the film, and a post-screening discussion of such pressing issues as women and violence in rap music, representations of manhood in hip-hop culture, what today’s rap lyrics reveal to their listeners, and homoeroticism in hip-hop. Hundreds of local teens are expected to participate in this seminar aimed at reducing the incidence of dating violence in El Paso. Because of his busy schedule, Mr. Byron will only be available for interviews during a scheduled 30-minute press conference, so we encourage interested members of the media to be punctual. Right after the press conference reporters will also have an opportunity to speak to some of the teens who will be participating in the workshop. WHO: Award-winning Documentary Filmmaker Byron HurtWHAT: Press Conference on Hip-Hop and ViolenceWHEN: Wednesday October 1, 2008 at 11:35 a.m.WHERE: Auditorium of the YISD Cultural Arts Center9600 Sims # # #

About the film “Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats and Rhymes”: Sparking dialogue on hip-hop and its declarations on gender, HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes provides thoughtful insight from intelligent, divergent voices including rap artists, industry executives, rap fans and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. The film includes interviews with famous rappers such as Mos Def, Fat Joe, Chuck D and Jadakiss and hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons. The film discloses the complex intersection of culture, commerce and gender through on-the-street interviews with aspiring rappers and fans at hip-hop events throughout the country.

“I sometimes feel bad for criticizing hip-hop, but I guess what I am trying to do is get us men to take a hard look at ourselves”. Filmmaker Byron Hurt

Byron Hurt Press Release.pdf