Allows social services districts to inform applicants and recipients of public assistance of their option to receive information regarding victims of sexual assault

Title of bill

An act to amend the social services law, in relation to offering applicants and recipients of public assistance information regarding sexual assault

Purpose or general idea of bill

The purpose of this bill is to ensure that individuals who have experienced sexual abuse or assault receive information about locally available services for sexual assault victims and to protect such victims from further harm.

Summary of specific provisions

Section 1 of this bill sets forth the legislative findings.

Section 2 of this bill would require social services districts to inform all applicants for and recipients of public assistance of their option to receive an information packet containing referral and contact information for all local programs that provide services to victims of sexual assault. The packet would contain a listing of all local sexual assault examiner programs, including a list of any local hospitals offering sexual assault forensic examiner services, rape crisis centers, and other advocacy, counseling and hotline services appropriate for victims of sexual assault.

Effects of present law which this bill would alter

This bill would amend Section 131 of the Social Services Law by adding a new subdivision 20.

Justification

As stated in the legislative findings of this bill, some studies have estimated that as many as 40% of all individuals receiving public assistance were sexually abused as children. Jason DeParle, author of the highly acclaimed book American Dream that traces the lives of three women on welfare, wrote an article for the New York Times on November 28, 1999 entitled, "Early Sex Abuse Hinders Many Women on Welfare." The article states that growing evidence suggests a disproportionately large number of women on welfare experienced sexual abuse as children. These women are more likely to suffer from substance abuse problems, mental illness or other emotional problems as a result of the long-term trauma associated with early sexual abuse. The article also mentions that caseworkers are not typically trained to recognize sexual abuse victims or to offer assistance to those who indicate that they have experienced sexual abuse. In addition, according to the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, the connections between sexual assault and poverty are so strong, they are impossible to ignore, and therefore, the movement to protect sexual assault victims should work hand in hand with the movement to help individuals rise up from poverty.

Given this startling evidence and the difficulty that victims of sexual assault face in overcoming barriers to self-sufficiency, this bill is necessary to ensure that individuals applying for or receiving public assistance receive information about services available for sexual assault victims in their local area. The bill would not allow social services caseworkers to invade the privacy of their clients, but would simply mandate that all applicants and recipients are offered the opportunity to receive an information packet appropriate for victims of sexual assault. PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

A.584 of 2008 - Referred to Social Services, Children and Families A.11392 of 2006 - Passed Assembly 06/13/06

Fiscal implications for state and local governments

Undetermined.

Effective date

180 days after enactment.