Courage Network

Originally posted at Susan Murphy Milano's Journal

There was a successful boycott of Amazon this week because they were selling a book written for the benefit of pedophiles. While I am repulsed by anything that promotes pedophelia or harm to children, I'm not weighing in on that issue, which is out of my realm, but the campaign to boycott Amazon was something that went viral through the internet at breakneck speed, and the mission seems to be accomplished.

While I applaud the efforts, let's think about what could be accomplished if the same people whose outrages against a bookseller would unite, as well, for something equally important....saving lives of the abused.

If you would put those same efforts behind getting the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit used as applied practice in every agency, coalition, court house, police department, hospital, or lawyer's office, think how many lives could be saved.

If each of you that have received my books and completed the Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit would pass on the information, just like you did by boycotting Amazon, think of the possibilities!

If you could step away from your computer for an afternoon and take the information to the aforementioned places, YOU can play a huge part in making this go viral, not just online, but in real life. Some of you are alive today because you took the time, did the work prescribed, and completed your Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit.

If you are boycotting Amazon, where my books are sold, you can also purchase them from by website, blog, or the Institute for Relational Harm Reduction.

I look forward to hearing your comments and views.

Susan
murphymilano@gmail.com

Evidentiary Abuse Affidavit by Susan Murphy Milano from the Book "Time's Up" from Courage Network on Vimeo.

Abuse Victim Confidential Name Change

by Alexis A. Moore

"I had to fill out paperwork on my new job today. They called yesterday...so I called the Social Security Office to check on my application for a new Social Security Number. They said they sent a letter...must be in the mail because the decision was made on the 16th to deny me a new number. The worker left me a message on my phone...Said, there wasn't enough evidence of ongoing abuse."

"What do I do now?"

This is an actual recent account of the tragic breakdown of resources available to abuse and stalking victims today who are attempting to change their social security numbers and identities to help prevent future harm or worse death.

Survivors In Action continues to receive thousands of requests from domestic violence victims from across the nation desperate to find the "magic bullet" to get social security administration to accept their application for social security number change.

Victims continue to rely upon volunteer victim advocates with Survivors In Action along with public officials to help cut through the red tape when requesting a social security number change.

Social security number changes are for many abuse and stalking victims a matter of life or death because of the datafurnishing agencies of today and technology. It is easy work for batterers and even those behind bards to locate a person using the net today.

The majority of the requests that are sent in to the SSA, Social Security Administration by abuse and stalking victims requesting a social security number change are denied on the same basis, "not enough evidence of ongoing abuse."

As a victim I can attest to the fact that for those like me who have applied to SSA for this change receiving this canned response in the mail is support for the need for DV REFORM and for allocating dollars to improving the social security administration response and promoting awareness of id change for victims of stalking and abuse.

Special thanks to Senator Mike Rogers in Alabama for his office's assistance helping victims of stalking and abuse. It is my hope that more public officials from across the U.S. will follow suit.

If you are a domestic violence victim being given the "run around" by social security administration officials here are some easy steps for you to use to cut through the red tape.

1) Obtain letters from your local public officials in support of your social security number change. A simple statement from your assemblyman or local senator can make a big difference in cutting through the social security administration red tape.

2) Obtain letters from lawyers, victim advocates, family members, co-workers or any member of law enforcement or individual that will oblige your request to write a support letter.

3) Find a advocate at your local domestic violence shelter or reach out to Survivors In Action we will help you!

There is nothing worse than living or working in fear and SIA knows the importance of victims being afforded safety measures like social security number changes- they are far too often a matter of life or death.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO VICTIMS CONSIDERING IDENTITY CHANGE:

If you are a victim considering an identity change or name change be aware name changes are often public records so they are not confidential in some states.
For more information on this topic read here

Survivors In Action"No Victim Left Behind"