波士頓台僑熱情捧場 魏德聖「Big」確定重回大銀幕

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(右一)邀約，波士頓僑務委員郭競儒(右二)作陪
，請魏德聖導演(左一)和助理到North End享用龍蝦大餐，慶祝「Big」的北美巡演成功。
(呂宗禧提供)

                (Boston Orange綜合報導) 以「海角七號」創造了台灣電影史上票房紀錄5.3億元新台幣的導演魏德聖，3月17、18兩日，帶新作「Big」，來到大波士頓做第六屆北美台灣電影巡迴展的第七、第八站放映。3月20日，製作團隊就在臉書上喜孜孜宣佈，4月4日「Big」將重返大螢幕。

波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏(左起)，波士頓僑務委員郭競和導演魏德聖及其助理
欣賞North End風景。(呂宗禧提供)

               耗資約一億元台幣拍就，去年12月聖誕節在台灣上映的「Big-讓孩子拯救世界」，是一部描述816號病房內，6個與癌症搏鬥的兒童及其家庭，從彼此衝突到互相支持，闡述”活著，就是最好禮物”的影片。

               截至今年3月中旬，該片票房僅約4200多萬元，影評界要麼不談，要麼指陳缺失，讓魏德聖導演壓力頗大。

               包括”電影神搜”，”關鍵評論網”，”報呱”等台灣媒體撰寫的影評，分別指稱魏德聖”以超強團隊，拍出一部流水帳”，”新作像廉價電視劇”，”翻盤之作「Big」成翻車之作”。

波士頓台灣影展協會2名共會長Andrew Lin (右一)，林致中(左一)，理事康麗雪(左二)歡迎
導演魏德聖(中)和波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏到場。(TFFB提供)

               魏德聖自己在接受採訪時也曾說過，「台灣三部曲」的拍攝，遭逢新冠病毒疫情，募資不順等衝擊，為舒緩情境，甚至藉以籌資，才決定把原本要拍做電視劇的癌症病童故事，改編成「Big」這部電影。

由於「Big」一片在院線上映的票房不如理想，魏德聖製作團隊改採包場放映策略，在台灣包場放映600多場後，還應邀到北美、亞洲巡演。

TFFB的「Big」放映會在哈佛電影檔案館舉行。(TFFB提供)

               在第六屆北美巡迴影展和北美50多個台灣社團及學生會，以及登高世界基金會合作邀請，由星宇航空贊助台美機票，中華民國僑務委員會和北美各地僑胞贊助下，「Big」導演魏德聖從3月8日至4月14日間，隨片訪問北美28個城市，舉辦約32場放映會。

               大波士頓的2場放映會，第一場，3月17日由波士頓台灣影展協會 (TFFB)承辦，經哈佛大學本科部台灣文化協會協助，借用哈佛電影檔案館有114個座位的Hilles Cinema放映。波士頓台灣影展協會的2名新任會長，Andrew Lin和林致中代表該會歡迎魏德聖導演和波士頓經文處處長廖朝宏。

TFFB工作人員和魏德聖導演合影。(TFFB提供)

               在大波士頓的第二場，經呂宗禧徵得波士頓僑務委員郭競儒贊助後，3月18日由波士頓台灣同鄉會承辦，在哈佛大學醫學院Joseph B. Martin會議中心的Pechet室放映，出席者主要是波士頓台灣同鄉會會員，哈佛大學的醫護人員。波士頓台灣同鄉會的2名理事許時榮，陳幸娜在影片開場前，代表該會歡迎魏德聖導演。當天中午，波士頓經文處廖朝宏處長還邀僑務委員郭競儒陪同，請魏導和助理享用一頓龍蝦大餐，為魏導打氣。

魏德聖導演在翻譯朱元曦協助下回答問題。(TFFB提供)

               這2場放映會，儘管觀眾不同，也有人擔心，這就是一部擺明了要賺人熱淚的公益電影，但大多數人對魏德聖曾經拍出「海角七號」，「Kano」，以及「賽德巴克萊」等大片，印象深刻，尤其是海外台灣僑胞，十分疼惜魏德聖，對「Big」多半給予正面評價。北一女校友會的Line群組中有校友說「816」是台語北一女的諧音，有校友稱許魏德聖為這部片不惜奔走全美，令人感動，紐英崙中華專業人員協會的新任會長盧彥君也在臉書上貼文，直言片中癌童堅定的” 我想活下來”，深深觸動了他。許多人的觀影反應，也和魏德聖導演形容的一樣，”哭著，哭著，最後都笑了”

波士頓台灣同鄉會理事陳幸娜(右)、許時榮(左)代表該會收受
魏德聖導演贈送影片T恤。(呂宗禧提供)

。魏德聖在自己的「Big」臉書專頁中說，觀眾反應一如他的預期，會在心中逗留好久一段時間。放映後的問答環節，則非常溫馨，呼應在台灣重新上院線放映的捐款，也十分踴躍。

                                                海外僑胞對「Big」一片的熱絡支持，顯然翻轉了台灣島內對此片的觀感印象。米倉影業日前指出，「Big」上映第16週，目前票房已超過4300萬元，寫下台灣包廳演出傳奇，達到1000多場，就如導演魏德聖說的”我們要殺回去”，「Big」預定4月4

伯克利音樂學院台灣學生會應邀為波士頓台灣影展協會那場「Big」
放映會做開場演奏。(TFFB提供)

日重回台灣大銀幕放映。

魏德聖導演(右三)在電影放映後接受珠媽廚房(左四)邀請，共進晚餐。(呂宗禧提供)

Reading 交響樂團邀9歲李婳 3/24 開小提琴獨奏會

李婳。(圖片來自RSO網站)

            (Boston Orange) 已有百年歷史的麻州Reading鎮交響樂團RSO，將於3月24日(週日)下午3點半，在Wakefield的Galvin中學退伍軍人紀念廳，舉辦"漫遊西班牙 (Wandering Through Spain) 音樂會，邀9歲的李婳 (Emma Hua Lee) 獨奏小提琴。

             李婳從2018年開始學習拉小提琴，起初跟隨她父親Victor M. Lee，以及父親的第一位小提琴老師Esther Derange學習。2020年底後，李婳主要跟隨Anna Korsunsky學習，並時不時接受現為師範大學音樂系主任的陳沁紅教授指導。

             陳沁紅是2015年柴可夫斯基小提琴賽首獎得主曾宇謙的老師。李婳每次演出後，都請陳沁紅教授評點，從而精進琴藝。

             李婳的琴藝，很快就受人矚目，7歲應邀和Jorge Soto指揮的新愛樂樂團 (New Philharmonia Orchestra)合作，獨奏表演的彈了巴哈的”A小調第一小提琴協奏曲”，後來又在指揮Max Hobart和西都會交響樂團(Metrowest Symphony)的夏季弦樂會中為Vivaldi的”第四季(冬)”，擔任獨奏者。她很高興自己將在3月24日這晚，和指揮Goerge Ogata和瑞汀交響樂團一起，繼續演奏之旅。

             祖父母都來自台灣的李婳，曾就讀Wellan蒙特梭利學校，目前是布魯克蘭鎮公園學校(The Park School)的4年級學生。在拉小提琴之外，李婳還熱衷於唱歌、游泳，冰壺運動。她也是妹妹Evelyn的絕佳模範。在這之外，李婳還喜歡古希臘神話，如果有機會的話，她會很樂意和你分享她最喜愛女神雅典娜的神話故事。

             演奏會的門票有3種，分別為成人25元，60歲以上耆英或15歲以上學生15元，14歲以下兒童入場免費。購票可上網https://www.readingsymphonyorchestra.org/tickets。

麻州參議會無異議通過”防止虐待和剝削法案" 禁止未經同意公佈不雅影像

             （Boston Orange 綜合整理報導） 麻州參議會在3月21日無異議通過S2073，”防止虐待和剝削法案 (An Act to prevent abuse and exploitation )“，將使得在未經個人同意下分享其不雅照片或視頻為刑事罪行為。

            麻州參議會已是第2次通過這法案，這次還加重了對非法散佈不雅影像的刑罰，犯者最高入獄2年半，罰款一萬元，再犯者最高入獄10年，罰款1萬5000元，期以遏止犯案者的試圖強制控制。

            該法案還把”強制控制”加入了虐待的定義中，使限制個人行動，將之孤立於朋友、家人之外，或威脅公佈不雅影像等，都成為不法行為，並容許受害者申請防止虐待令。

            法案也要求對於因為違反禁止持有或散步某些不雅材料而被稱為少年犯的兒童，另案處理，除非不審訊很可能會對一名社區成員造成嚴重傷害。

該法案包括要求擬定施行教育性引導項目，讓青少年明白在網上張貼不雅影像的後果；另要求成立一個委員會，來審查、調查先進技術及網路在保護個人免於受傷害、虐待或剝削的潛在衝擊及法律影響。

                            根據”網路民權倡議 (Cyber Civil Rights Initiative)”，在全美50個州中，目前只有南卡羅來納州和麻州這2個州，還沒有立法禁止情侶在未徵得另一人同意前，散佈色情影像。

                                        這法案是由轄區在昆士市的麻州參議員John Keenan提出，並有參議會財政委員會主席 Michael J. Rodrigues 和參議會司法委員會主席Jamie Eldridge 這2位委員會主席支持。麻州參議會議長Karen Spika在對外公佈參議會通過這法案時，特地點名感謝前述3人。

                                該法案要求兒童權益保護辦公室 (Office of the Child Advocate)研擬一份全面性的教育計劃，讓青少年了解在網上招貼佈不雅影像的後果。該法案也要求中小學教育局 (DESE)鼓勵學區依年齡實施適合的認識媒體教導，並使用來自兒童保護辦公室的全面教育項目。

                                    麻州參議員John Keenan表示，這法案實在拖得太久了。現在終於可以讓那些站出來的人知道，他們的聲音被聽見了。他們也希望傳達一個信息，”這種行為是不可接受的”。

                                這是麻州參議會第2次通過這法案，將和麻州眾議會通過的版本協調後，送交麻州州長審議。

                                    波士頓環球報在一篇以”我幾乎要自殺了”為標題的報導中描述，有一名現年33歲的女子Katelynn Spencer，在2020年發現有2段在她18歲時，她本人並不知情中錄下來的影片，被人上傳到一個色情網站，還廣為流傳，其中一段竟有近百萬人瀏覽過時，簡直要瘋了。她因此失去了一竊，包括朋友、家人及婚姻。但是律師卻告訴她，麻州沒有法律禁止人在未經另一人同意下，分享不雅影像。

                            根據2005年最高法院的裁決，麻州的刑事騷擾罪條文規定，檢察官須證明某人”有已知的行為模式或一系列行動”，或者至少3次以上事件，才能夠指控犯罪。

                                但是，只要在網路上發佈一張照片，或者一段視頻，就可以毀了某個人的一生。曾經是Abington鎮議員，最近被選為共和黨麻州委員會委員的Alex Hagerty也曾身受其害。八年前他的伴侶和他分手後，上傳了一段不雅視頻到網上，他並未同意過錄製該視頻，一名陌生人在Instagram上發來訊息，他才知道網上有這麼一段視頻，去報警，卻被告知”報復色情是合法的”。他說他回到自己車上，哭了又哭，想了不知道多少種結束自己生命的方法，是他那現任麻州眾議員的父親Alyson Sullivan救了他。

                        麻州反對性侵犯和家庭暴力聯盟 (JDI)為此特地發表聲明，感謝麻州參議會無異議通過此案，並期許這一法案能夠很快送到麻州州長Maura Healey面前，簽署成法，讓許多家庭暴力受害者不必再為此糾結。

麻州參議會通過S2708法案 增撥2.5億元預算支援緊急庇護系統

               (Boston Orange 摘譯) 麻州參議會廣泛討論後，3月21日通過補充預算案，S.2708，在採取財政上負責任步驟，並確保長期效益之際，為緊急庇護所系統，額外撥配經費。

這一方案，也支援為最近移民到麻州家庭辦理的人力培訓項目。

麻州參議會另外還把在新冠病毒疫情期間廣受歡迎的彈性戶外用餐，永久性的合法化了。

麻州參議會議長Karen Spika (民主黨籍，Ashland)表示，麻州參議會這方案既顧及了麻州財政現實，也有尊嚴地對待了移民，支持他們融入勞動力市場。她感謝麻州參議會少數黨領袖Tarr，以及參議會財政委員會的協助。

參議院為因應緊急庇護所的需求，從2024會計年度預算中提撥2.5億美元做緊急資金，1000多萬美元辦理勞動力培訓計畫。邁向2025年，將以每月撥款的做法，確保緊急庇護所系統有所需要的資源，來幫助移民家庭邁向自給自足。

該法案授權行政及財務辦公室在2024會計年度中剩餘的幾個月中，從過度託管基金 (Transitional Escrow Fund)中，每個月花7500萬元來幫助移民家庭，推動自己自足。另外撥款1000萬元，幫助在緊急庇護系統項目的住宅干預服務及人力，撥款1500萬元來資助安置義務。

該法案還會進一步設立特別委員會，研究緊急居住援助系統的可持續性，效率及效益，並提出建議。該委員會還將研究如何最好的支持，確保這些尋求庇護者長期的自給自足，同時協助支援以區域為基礎的支持需要庇護的家庭。

麻州種議會最近通過了這一補充預算法案的另一個版本。參眾兩會版本的差異，現在將由兩會解決。

波士頓市和200機構合作 為青少年提供暑期工

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES APPLICATIONS FOR futureBOS - THE BOSTON’S YOUTH SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM - NOW OPEN The City announced futureBOS, a new streamlined hub for youth to access and navigate all jobs available, and new partnerships with banking institutions to ensure young people can access their earnings

 

photo by Chutze Chou BOSTON – Thursday, March 21, 2024 – Mayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity (YEO) today launched futureBOS, the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program, including all Successlink job opportunities, for Boston youth and young adults ages 14 - 24. Young people interested can find summer job opportunities through futureBOS Anna Yu and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. (photo by Chutze Chou) , the newly redesigned webpage hub for all youth employment opportunities throughout the City. futureBos will guide young people to better navigate the application, onboarding, and hiring processes, ensuring that these employment opportunities  are centralized. To complement SuccessLink, futureBOS site will serve as a hub for all youth employment opportunities throughout the City, making resources easier to locate for young people and their families. Jobs young people can find on futureBOS including with nonprofits, local government, businesses and the healthcare industry.  “The future of Boston rests on connecting our young people to opportunities today so they can grow and lead our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “We’re taking our nation-leading youth summer jobs program to the next level with more employers, more opportunities, and a guarantee for every BPS student to access a paid summer job.”  “As an organization, supporting the Youth of Boston through employment opportunities has always been our top priority. Through futureBOS, we plan to make employment even more accessible, helping Boston youth access available work opportunities & resources and kickstart their professional and personal development,” said Allison Vernerey, Executive Director of the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity. “Investing in youth jobs will always be a worthwhile endeavor. We are excited to continue our collaboration with employment partners, and the Mayor to bring even more opportunities to Boston’s youth community.”  Led by the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity, futureBOS (which includes opportunities from the SuccessLink program) is designed to not only recruit and hire youth, but also ensure that the employment experience is engaging and meaningful, and advances young people’s professional and personal development. According to research from Northeastern University, the program positively impacts a range of economic, academic, and criminal justice outcomes for youth. Recognizing the importance of this work, the City invested $18.7 million in youth summer jobs last year to expand and improve the program. As a result, nearly 10,000 young people were successfully employed in summer 2023. Building on this milestone, Mayor Wu is increasing Boston’s commitment to young people through the Mayor’s Youth Job Guarantee (MYJG), a pledge that any eligible BPS student who wants a summer job can get one.   “I am so proud to join Mayor Wu as the City of Boston launches futureBOS,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “We know that our young people who work a summer job or internship build their professional skills, have fun, meet other young people and new mentors, and are paid for their work. Last summer, more than 9,000 young people found jobs and internships through the City of Boston’s summer youth job program and I am excited that our young people will have access to this innovative new opportunity.”   Recognizing the importance of coordination and alignment across Boston’s youth employment providers, YEO partners with over 200 City agencies, non-profits, higher education institutions, and lead entities – Action for Boston Community Development, the Boston Private Industry Council, Artists For Humanity, and the John Hancock MLK Scholars – to offer high-quality employment opportunities to youth. To ensure that disadvantaged youth have equitable access to jobs, the City is supporting organizations that prioritize proven at-risk youth populations in partnership with the State's Commonwealth Corporation YouthWorks. YEO will also partner with the Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Advancement (MOIA) to provide immigrant youth with hands-on leadership and skills training, regardless of immigration status.   To increase private sector employment among young people, the City has created the futureBOS pledge, an invitation to companies and small businesses to commit to employing youth from Boston. Businesses interested in hosting internships for BPS youth will receive direct support from the Boston Private Industry Council, the City’s Workforce Development Board after completing the pledge. Deepening these partnerships brings the City closer to creating a more holistic and inclusive workforce development ecosystem for Boston’s youth.  "At Artists For Humanity, we couldn't be more proud to continue to be a part of summer youth employment in partnership with the City of Boston and the Office of Youth Employment and Opportunity," said Anna Yu, Executive Director of Artist For Humanity. “For generations we have seen summer employment transform teen lives by inspiring creative avenues for post-secondary learning and career pathways. We are excited to play a part in fulfilling Mayor Wu's promise to give every teen a safe and productive place to work, learn and grow."  "Youth employment and work-based learning help students succeed both academically and developmentally. The summer months offer students an opportunity to learn what it takes to earn a paycheck and to imagine themselves in various careers,” said Neil Sullivan, Executive Director of the Boston Private Industry Council. “FutureBOS is making an extraordinary range of community-based opportunities available to Boston youth.  Simultaneously, Boston’s private sector and institutional employers are stepping up to provide career-oriented internships. These employers benefit by meeting the workforce of the future, while diversifying their workplaces in real time."  “We are pleased to once again partner with Mayor Michelle Wu and the City of Boston for our Summer Youth Jobs program,” said ABCD President and CEO Sharon Scott-Chandler. “ABCD SummerWorks and the City’s mutual commitment to the employment, development, and empowerment for young people throughout Boston is undeniable and longstanding. We hope to reach as many youth as possible this summer – continuing some on their path to long term employment, success, and starting others on their journey.”  Beyond employment opportunities, YEO provides youth with career development, skills building, and financial education training. This year, three local banks – Citizens Bank, M&T Bank, and Metro Credit Union – have stepped up to provide special non-custodial, no-fee options that will make it easier for our youth to open safe, non-predatory bank accounts, facilitating access to their summer earnings and instilling good financial habits that will last a lifetime.  “At Metro, we are committed to giving people in our communities the knowledge and skills needed to feel confident with their money,” said Charlene Bauer, Senior Vice President at Metro Credit Union. “We are excited to be one of several partners working with YEO in providing a solid foundation of financial wellbeing for these students as they journey into adulthood.”  Youth are strongly encouraged to attend the Youth Job and Resource Fair at the Reggie Lewis Center on Saturday, March 23rd, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. to connect with over 100 summer employers, access career development resources, receive job application assistance, open bank accounts, and win prizes. Refreshments will be provided. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.  Job applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Youth are encouraged to get their applications in early. There is a step-by-step guide available online to help youth navigate the application process. Youth can also visit the office in person, Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1483 Tremont Street in Roxbury, or call 617-635-4202 for additional assistance. For more information, visit boston.gov/futureBOS.  There will also be several job resource fair opportunities:  City Of Boston 2024 Youth Jobs And Resource Fair Saturday, March 23, 11-3pm Location: Reggie Lewis Track And Athletic Complex, 1350 Tremont Street, Roxbury Please register here  futureBOS Dorchester Neighborhood Pop-Up Fair Thursday, May 9, 4-7pm Location: BCYF Marshall Community Center, 35 Westville Street, Dorchester  futureBOS Chinatown Neighborhood Pop-Up Fair Saturday, May 11, 11-2pm Location: BCYF Quincy Community Center, 885 Washington Street, Chinatown  futureBOS Dorchester Neighborhood Pop-Up Fair Thursday, May 16, 4-7pm Location: BCYF Perkins Community Center, 155 Talbot Ave, Dorchester  futureBOS Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Pop-Up Fair Saturday, May 18, 11-2pm Location: BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South Street, Jamaica Plain  futureBOS Allston Neighborhood Pop-Up Fair Tuesday, Mar 21, 4-7 pm Location: BCYF Jackson Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge Street, Allston

麻州州長Healey提名3人出任波士頓地方法院副法官

Governor Healey Makes Three Nominations to Boston Municipal Court  

BOSTON – Governor Maura T. Healey nominated Rebeca G. Figueroa, Vanessa Vélez, and Steven S. Kim as Associate Justices to the Boston Municipal Court. The nominees will now be considered by the Governor’s Council for confirmation.  

“I am proud to nominate these three attorneys to the Boston Municipal Court. Throughout the course of their careers, they’ve shown a clear and dedicated commitment to justice,” said Governor Maura Healey. “The nominees each have significant experience practicing law and would make for strong additions to the Court. We look forward to hearing from the Governor’s Council and thank them for their consideration.” 

“These three attorneys each have significant career experiences that will make them strong additions to the Boston Municipal Court,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re proud to nominate them to the Court and we’re grateful to the Governor’s Council for their consideration.”  

The Boston Municipal Court Department serves the City of Boston, handling both criminal and civil matters while maintaining a commitment to the rule of law, and protecting human dignity through respect, compassion, correction, and the fair resolution of cases. 

The Boston Municipal Court Department has 30 judges in 8 court divisions located in Brighton, Central (downtown), Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Roxbury, South Boston, and West Roxbury. The Boston Municipal Court also has jurisdiction to review appeals of decisions made by some government agencies on issues such as unemployment compensation and firearms licensing. 

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About Rebeca G. Figueroa 

Rebeca G. Figueroa currently serves as a Designated Magistrate and Assistant Clerk-Magistrate in the Suffolk Superior Court Criminal Division. She began her career in 2003 as a Staff Attorney for the Committee for Public Counsel Services in the Roxbury Defenders Unit, representing indigent criminal defendants charged with felony offenses at the Roxbury Division of the Boston Municipal Court and Suffolk Superior Court. Later, Attorney Figueroa entered private practice as a solo practitioner focused on criminal defense, family law, and real estate.  In 2017, she was appointed Assistant Clerk-Magistrate for Criminal Business at Suffolk Superior Court, and shortly thereafter, she was designated as a magistrate. In her current role, she conducts arraignments, bail hearings, appointment of counsel, initial probation surrender hearings, pre-trial conferences, and agreed-upon motions and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of assigned trial sessions. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Boston College and a Juris Doctorate from the New England School of Law. She lives in Boston with her husband and family.  

About Steven Kim  

Steven Kim currently works in private practice, at Law Office of Steven S. Kim, as a trial lawyer, where he represents clients in all phases of criminal and civil litigation. Over the course of his career as a trial lawyer, he has worked as both prosecutor and defense attorney.  He started out his career as a law clerk for the justices of the Massachusetts Superior Court, then went on to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in Boston; but for the majority of his career has run a successful private practice, handling both civil and criminal defense matters. Kim is also a proud veteran, having served honorably on active duty in Afghanistan with the Judge Advocate General’s Corp. in the U.S. Army National Guard. He holds three degrees from Boston College, including his B.A. in English, a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, and his J.D. He lives in Needham. 

About Vanessa Vélez 

Vanessa Vélez is currently the Deputy Chief Counsel of the Private Counsel Division for the Committee for Public Counsel Services, where she oversees the delivery of legal services to 80% of indigent clients in Massachusetts through assigned private attorneys. Her management extends to various units under the Private Counsel Division, including the Criminal Trial Support, Appeals & Post-Conviction, Parole Advocacy, Alternative Commitment and Registration, Innocence Program, Immigration Impact Unit, and Social Services Advocacy.  

Vanessa began her career as a solo practitioner, practicing civil and criminal law and as a bar advocate with the Essex County Bar Association Advocate Program. For 18 years, she has represented clients as a public defender for the Committee for Public Counsel Services and as a bar advocate in private practice. Vanessa served as the Attorney-in-Charge and the Supervising Attorney for the CPCS Boston Trial Office. She has also played a key role in the Veterans and Homeless specialty courts for several years. 

Vanessa has been a faculty member in the Trial Advocacy Workshop of Harvard Law School. Most recently, she participated in various commissions and subcommittees focused on increasing court access, equity and public trust in our legal system. She is a member of the Alternative Paths to Licensure subcommittee of the Massachusetts SJC's Steering Committee on Bar Admissions. She was born in Puerto Rico and moved to the United States at age 18 to further her education. She holds a B.S. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and a J.D. from Suffolk University School of Law. She lives in Jamaica Plain.   

Jane Doe Inc. Leads 2024 Advocacy Day on Beacon Hill to Support Key Legislative and Budget Priorities

Jane Doe Inc. Leads 2024 Advocacy Day on Beacon Hill to Support Key Legislative and Budget Priorities

Along with survivors, advocates, and legislators, JDI called for critical policy action to support survivors and prevent violence

 

Boston, MA – On Friday, March 15, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence, was joined by more than 300 people for its 2024 Advocacy Day at the Massachusetts State House. JDI coalition members, survivors, advocates, and partners from across Massachusetts came out in full force for the first in-person Advocacy Day since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

The day kicked off with a speaking program in the Great Hall, before attendees participated in smaller group meetings with legislators and staff to discuss key priorities, including: 

• Vital funding in the FY2025 state budget, including fully funding the $60 million request for the VOCA Bridge, to mitigate impending cuts to the federal Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and maintain essential services;

• H.4241: An Act to Prevent Abuse and Exploitation – which adds essential protections for survivors, including against image-based sexual assault and coercive control;

• H.1399/S.1079: An Act Relative to Controlling and Abusive Litigation – which will help prevent individuals from using the legal system to harm and control others;

• S.1979: An Act Establishing a Prison and Jail Construction Moratorium – which would pause the construction of new prisons and jails in Massachusetts in order to shift spending priorities to community investments;

• H.3084/S.1990: Language Access and Inclusion Act – which would require state agencies to meet language access, including for survivors; and,

• H.544/S.268: Healthy Youth Act – which would ensure age-appropriate, medically-accurate sex and relationship education critical to preventing future sexual and domestic violence.

State Representatives Natalie Blais and Michael Day and State Senator Robyn Kennedy spoke with attendees about the important bills before the legislature, and to express their support for survivors and those in attendance.

“Today, your stories are reverberating in this Great Hall and echoing throughout the hallways of this building,” said Representative Blais. “Your efforts are making a difference in impacting lives across the Commonwealth as we strive to end violence for everyone.”

Senator Kennedy shared a similar sentiment, saying “Legislation is moving here because your voice matters. Because you’re speaking up, you’re representing the survivors across our Commonwealth, who need to make sure our laws are changing [and] improving to protect them.”

Representative Day added “The work that you all do educating us on what survivor-centric and what trauma-informed truly means has made the difference in what we’ve been able to accomplish and what we’re going to accomplish here in the legislature moving forward.”

JDI Executive Director Debra Robbin spoke to the tangible impact of collective advocacy on ensuring that available resources more fully reflect the needs of survivors and direct service organizations. “It’s important to understand how much our advocacy means and how successful we have been at collectively raising the funding that supports services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault,” she said. “Just for perspective, 10 years ago, we asked for about $31 million for survivor services. And now, in 2025, we are asking for $67 million. We have more than doubled funding in 10 years.”

JDI is incredibly thankful to all of those who attended to share their stories and raise their voice in support of critical policies that will strengthen services, uplift survivors voices, invest in communities, and advance life-saving protections for those experiencing sexual assault and domestic violence. We look forward to continuing the work alongside survivors, advocates, and policymakers to ensure this legislation succeeds.