NEWS RELEASE

The National Center for State Courts
300 Newport Avenue · Williamsburg, Virginia  23185

Contact:
Lorri Montgomery
Communications Manager
The National Center for State Courts
757.259.1525 or lmontgomery@ncsc.dni.us 

The National Center Displays Exhibit to
 Draw Attention to the Issue of Domestic Violence

National Center Incorporates Workplace Policy on Domestic Violence

Williamsburg, VA (March 6, 2003) – To raise awareness about the devastating impact that violence against women has on homes, workplaces, and communities, the National Center for State Courts is exhibiting an artwork display sponsored by Avalon, the Williamsburg-area shelter for women and children, in its lobby from March 10 to April 14. The exhibit “Airing Our Dirty Laundry” is part of a national program called The Clothesline Project, which invites victims of domestic violence to tell their stories of physical, emotional, or sexual violence through artwork on t-shirts or sweatshirts. All shirts in the exhibit at the National Center are from women and children who have sought shelter from Avalon.

The public and area employers are encouraged to visit the display. Employers are also invited to call the National Center for assistance to establish a workplace domestic violence policy. The National Center is located at 300 Newport Ave., Williamsburg, Va., 23185.

The National Center is displaying the exhibit to draw attention to the need for employers in and out of the court community to recognize how domestic violence impacts an entire community. The National Center recently incorporated a domestic violence workplace policy to its employee handbook, becoming one of the first employers in the court community and the local business area to establish such a policy.  By taking this leadership role in the field of domestic violence, the National Center plans to serve as a model for courts and businesses to consider their own internal staff-related policies and to take steps to develop a domestic violence workplace policy.

The National Center’s policy, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2003, includes the following components: an education program to provide training to supervisors about how to support and counsel employees affected by family violence; counseling assistance or intervention in which the National Center will maintain a registry of community agencies and organizations for referral and to help employees find the resources covered by their insurance plan; performance management, in which the National Center will provide a reasonable amount of time for employees to get assistance; time off, which includes the possibilities of flexible work schedules, family and medical leave, short term disability and personal leave of absence; and confidentiality. 

Avalon started its Clothesline Project in 1994 to help with the healing process for those who have lost someone or for those who are survivors of domestic violence, and to educate the community about the prevalence of violence against women.

National Center for State Courts is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the administration of justice by providing leadership and service to the state courts. The National Center, founded in 1971 with the encouragement of Chief Justice of the United State Warren E. Burger, carries out this mission through its offices in Williamsburg, Washington, D.C. and Denver, Colo., which provide research, education, and hands-on consulting services to the nation’s state courts.

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