Employers Against Domestic Violence... is right for our city
As some of our readers know, my partner Steph Deeley has been advocating in domestic violence awareness since her sister's death 5 years ago. There is a non profit organization that helps in training employers to recognize that domestic violence can cost the employer dearly. This group, for a nominal fee of $100.00 a year, will come to you and train on site. The Mayor has said that Framingham should be a member, but that was in March on a conference call with the President of EADV, the mayor, the city council chair, the director of Voices Against Violence, and Steph. As of today, it does not appear that Framingham has availed themselves of this service yet. Steph and I have said we would pay for it... but the Mayor insists she can cover it. It's a sad statement when we can spend 20k on a PR person for the FPD, but we can't spend 100 bucks on a program that we so desperately need. Dozens of entities have signed on including the Red Sox, BCBS of Mass, MGH, Masphee Police, Town of Billerica, Duxbury, Easton, Needham, etc etc.
If you agree.. send
the Mayor a note.. Mayor@framinghamma.gov in the subject line write... sign up to EADVMA
Uniting Massachusetts Employers with Experts in the Fields of Domestic and Workplace Violence Prevention.
Domestic violence is a serious, recognizable and preventable problem like thousands of other workplace health and safety issues that affect a business and its bottom line.
Through EADV, an employer can assess its unique needs, culture and goals; develop tailored workplace policies and procedures; train all senior management, supervisors and employees; offer useful information to their employees; and strive to ensure that their workplace supports all employees facing violence.
posted by Jim Pillsbury @ 8:44 PM
12 Comments
12 Comments:
Seems like a no brainer. Whats the holdup on this?
Just another example of the mayor not doing what needs to be done. For $100 I would think she would want the services this group offers. Curious if she has given anyone a reason for not joining this well respected group.
Just sent an email. Encourage others to do the same
$100 for free training. Same training that the State uses, the Middlesex DA uses, and many local hospitals use, and Jane Doe supports. Seems like this is a slam dunk for the city. What is the problem here that in 4 months the city can't come up with the $100? I am sure most would rather eat nails than take money from you Jim but given that you offered to pay I don't see how they can claim the money is the issue. Where are the district council members and the COO on this issue. Doubt that sending the mayor and email will help as she clearly has been ignoring emails from you and Steph. WTF?
Maybe the mayor does not see domestic violence as an issue of importance with everything else she has to do. Just because we have had several city employees charged with domestic violence does not mean it is important, after all, there is always some photo op that needs to be taken care of.
What else can we/I/or anyone else do to get her attention? I told Steph I would start picketing her office and get some press coverage (except the Source) but that would just be more bad press for the Mayor. But it's been to long and she keeps promising Steph and Giombetti that Framingham has joined.. but the ADA in charge of membership says we have not joined. Giombetti is on board and the others will follow his lead I'm sure. But why do Steph and I have to fight so hard to get her to see the light? I just don't get it.
Could HR Deloris Hamilton be upset with this offer? After all, it's a HR issue in most places and she has had years to come up with a solution to our own domestic violence issues.
Send an e mail if you can.. it's the only way to politely urge her to act.
"most would rather eat nails than take money from you Jim"
I've never heard that expression before.... how true it is though.
I would even buy the nails.
You better be careful If she does join, someone may buy those nails for you to eat. Whatever the issue is we should roll ever it and get this done. Did not know you had this issue in your family. Did your partners sister die of domestic violence?
Yes, Kim was a victim of domestic violence. Her abuser was a retired Boston Fire Fighter, a Captain. He was convicted in 205 of assault with intent to murder, kidnapping and intimidating a witness. He has not yet been charged in her death, however, she died at 45 years old from "undetermined causes" according to the ME. She had no life threatening illness that would have killed her and died alone in the company of the man who had previously tried to kill her, and was eventually sent to prison for that for 4-6 years. Boston Fire did not have a policy for dealing with employees charged with domestic violence, and they covered for him. Framingham also does not have a policy for dealing with this issue, and we need one.
Also, last year a Framingham Firefighter was charged with domestic violence and the Fire Chief defended him. That straw broke her silence and started the journey down this long road to get the Mayor to sign on.. to something, other than doing nothing about it.
I applaud your efforts in this area and am saddened to hear our mayor, who is a woman, is not on board Shame on her
So sorry to hear your family has been impacted by this issue. Also sorry to hear that the City is not willing to join a group that appears to be so well respected to address the issue in our city. This issue exists everywhere, it is not a reflection on Framingham that this happens here, however it is a reflection on Framingham in how we address it, and so far, it appears we do a piss poor job of that.
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