News

Voyeurism

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Voyeurism is the act of watching unsuspecting and non-consenting persons while they are undressing, naked, showering, or engaging in sexual activity for sexual pleasure. Voyeuristic Disorder is defined under the Diagnositc and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders- 5th Edition (DSMV) as a paraphilic disorder. While not all those who exhibit voyeuristic behaviors meet the […]

Unwanted Sexual Touching

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Any sexual touching that occurs without the explicit consent of the recipient is sexual violence. No one has the right to touch you in any way without your consent. Touching without consent can happen anywhere. It can happen in the subway on your way to work. It can can happen in the workplace, from co-worker […]

Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs when the person assaulted is under the influence of a mind-altering substance. Drug-facilitated sexual assault occurs in two ways: when the perpetrator drugs a person unknowingly, creating a situation where the person is easily manipulated and/or controlled, or by taking advantage of a person who is already under the influence of […]

Human Trafficking

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Human sex trafficking is the sexual exploitation of one person in exchange of goods or money to benefit the exploiter. Human sex trafficking affects all communities around the world and does not discriminate based on culture, race, or socioeconomic level. Many mistakenly make the assumption that human trafficking doesn’t happen in their own backyards; […]

Sexual Photos Without Consent

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Sexual photos should never be taken or distributed without consent. Each person has a right to their own body, and has a right not to have nude or sexual images of that body taken without consent in any environment or relationship. Additionally, if a person consents to take and share a sexual photo or video, […]

Possession of Child Pornography

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Child pornography is created any time an person under the age of consent is featured in pornographic pictures or videos. The child, who was exploited and victimized in the creation of that content, is re-victimized every single time these images are distributed and viewed. Additionally, creating a demand for that content through possessing it […]

Cyber Bullying

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Cyberbullying can be a form of sexual harassment and violence that takes place over text, through social media, in gaming or other social chatrooms. Cyberbullying often includes sending, posting, or sharing false, derogatory, personal or private information about another individual. But other forms of cyberbullying, which unfortunately have become commonplace, can turn sexually abusive […]

The Objectification of Girls and Women

By Ruth Bruno | Published: April 3, 2020

Preventing sexual objectification starts with education – about respect, about bodily autonomy, and about consent. The Alliance’s certified advocates are available if you’re interested in hosting a prevention workshop or training at your workplace, school or in your community. Let’s end this together.

Alliance Services and Support During Covid-19

By Ruth Bruno | Published: March 19, 2020

Dear Alliance Allies, Friends and Community, To protect the health and safety of our staff and those we serve, The Alliance has closed our offices and moved our staff to working remotely. We will continue to be available during regular business hours and all our staff can connect with you via phone or email during […]

Federal Funding for Sexual Assault Kits

By Ruth Bruno | Published: February 6, 2020

Senator Richard Blumenthal joined the Alliance Thursday to highlight federal funding set aside to be used for the processing of sexual assault evidence collection kits. The latest federal budget earmarks approximately $48 million to be used to support the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. “We’re talking about respecting and honoring survivors who are willing to […]

Returning Citizen Success ~ Life After Incarceration

By Ruth Bruno | Published: January 28, 2020

When Joshua Frazer entered the criminal justice system at the age of 13, he found himself in a cycle that he would battle for years to come – leaving the system when he reached adulthood only to return when he found no support on the outside. “The problem is you have no money, you have […]

Thank You For Joining Us On All Survivors Day

By Ruth Bruno | Published: October 28, 2019

Join The Alliance and The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) Sunday, Nov. 3 at state-wide rallies in front of three Connecticut cathedrals.

“Give Victims Time” Bill Takes Effect Oct. 1

By Ruth Bruno | Published: October 23, 2019

“Give Victims Time” Bill – The new bill was passed during the 2019 legislative session and is effective as of October 1, 2019. The new bill – which can be viewed in full here – extends various deadlines for those who wish to report sexual violence and: Increases statute of limitations to 20 years from […]

Calling For Accountability From Lyft and Uber

By Ruth Bruno | Published: October 22, 2019

The Alliance was joined by Senator Richard Blumenthal in demanding further background checks and an accessible reporting system.

Connecticut reaches “full reform” through efforts to end sexual assault kit backlog

By Ruth Bruno | Published: October 15, 2019

The Joyful Heart Foundation – a national organization working to end the backlog of untested sexual assault kits – announced that Connecticut has reached “full reform” of its sexual assault backlog. This means the state meets each of the organization’s six pillars of reform and now: 1) Counts untested sexual assault kits annually 2) Tests […]