[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6172184,"mediaKeyId","5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45","parentId",5391238,"title","Commission prioritizes domestic-violence awareness; plans partnerships and outreach","audioSeconds",257,"startMs",1951000,"endMs",2208000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45&start=1951&end=2208","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45/thumbnail_1951000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6172184/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-prioritizes-domestic-violence-awareness-plans-partnerships-and-outreach","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172184-787fe92d0892a74a15859dfbf0ddc8d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179388&Signature=UTlENCWoU0zktcuEGglhHPCoEHlTdrJnT0MMWozI4TSIeYjaXMoeSj6TMe4luNPfOEXueL9pn3Lpf0fVxsa6py8j1eDKHz1Ub5kxmDmOqxisHe0aby8SF6qyrp0PV~zcNdq0bRunqjX6CHIcAVSsamZ82TlI0DE8pJ2f9RmdkjoFNCKBhbDSoB3ULJRz~8ROxxI4mSOdt0f36A15Wsq~-FbbyYll~65fOMUb4xDhjPiiv6Ll54bRqZgaiFbxqocdZTPNbOFcCwdfFrPqIbyWDe-KygUKAxPccJzm1Sl~0J6QUJvyKhbULZlSRCwCCO5BCdkzAald-490NzOffn5CyQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Norwalk City, CT","date","2025-07-15T00:17:50Z","article","Commissioners identified domestic violence as a priority issue and discussed a two-track approach: legislative advocacy by the legislative committee and public-awareness and partnership work led by the outreach committee.

Commission member Chantal urged a focus on violence, saying “there’s a big group of women suffering… They’re ashamed. They’re embarrassed. They don’t even want to disclose it to doctors.” Commissioners generally agreed to use a nonbinary, inclusive language and to begin with “domestic violence” as a working term, noting it covers victims of all genders.

Commission member Christina proposed a calendar-based approach and described a window-dressing campaign modeled on an event she’d seen in another city: merchants display themed window exhibits, residents scan QR codes to learn more and vote, and the campaign coincides with awareness months. Christina noted October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and suggested a campaign that pairs merchant participation, QR-linked resources and a visible citywide signifier such as staff and community members wearing purple.

Commission members said they would pursue partnerships rather than build a program from scratch. Emma reported that the legislative advocacy committee had met with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center (DVCC) and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and offered to connect outreach volunteers to the contacts. Commission member Shannon said the DVCC recently joined the chamber and that the chamber contact (Stella) could be a partner for outreach to merchants.

Directions assigned included drafting a year-round calendar and outreach plan (Yvonne and Shannon volunteered to begin a draft), outreach committee follow-up with DVCC contacts (Emma and others), and the legislative advocacy committee continuing to prepare letters supporting relevant bills, including measures related to survivor protections cited during the meeting.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to form stronger outreach partnerships, to develop a calendar of awareness activities (including options tied to October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month), and to return proposed plans and partner contacts to the full commission for review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Norwalk Commission on Gender Equity 07-14-2025","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners named domestic violence an outreach priority and discussed partnering with the DVCC, Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence and local chamber members on awareness campaigns, a calendar of activities and a possible window-display campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month.","taxTitle","Norwalk City, Fairfield, Connecticut","taxId",4245,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172189,"Commission seeks comprehensive gender-participation data from Norwalk Parks & Recreation",247,1024000,1271000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45&start=1024&end=1271","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45/thumbnail_1024000.jpg","/articles/6172189/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-seeks-comprehensive-gender-participation-data-from-Norwalk-Parks-Recreation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172189-a180762e16dd2303d6b36de81d384244/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179387&Signature=ASUS1Y0joAGc2BC3U~sk9PcBcqsmIM1V99YuaufL2SRgU3KgNJay-qO7PSxZWSx1KAE64mMWO-X1pkKBFaPG3aOADl~LpVbzQQv-J~BpHGy4vJNq110khSqzaTN~KMlZ1It7qSExxx5BhWoYwITpJlDfJFO3-bHrpeoG0orLrUETVjigEvZaa5WCQJ7a938nNbfScvQpaXm02gRMJ1bxvt64jPXXfPK8AzdU-KRwj1gbp4MGyHS~IHoJareSODQN-N2UNCAqwl-~LEM-KW-P2YKzaUhj19Nxeaz9OdE5sHY3ve7Pw1aBCINa2io-fd2Naft2hY395xkdRnmhBg9oPA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The commission heard updates from Norwalk Parks & Recreation and asked staff to compile comprehensive participation data showing the gender breakdown for youth sports and field use across city-run and non-city programs.

Joy reported she had met with Will Schwartstein, the director of Norwalk Parks & Recreation’s children’s athletic program, who provided participation figures for city-run programs: volleyball saw “about a 28% increase” and basketball an increase of “about 10%,” with variations by age group, Joy said. Joy also told commissioners that third- and fourth-grade girls’ basketball in one age cohort rose from 0 to 7 participants and that the total number of girls in the city-run youth basketball program was “about 42.”

Commissioners stressed the initial figures covered city-run programs and asked for a broader data pull that would include private clubs and leagues that use city fields or facilities. Commission member Sharon said the city maintains a “huge Excel doc” tracking field and gym use and that Will could likely provide more comprehensive records.

Commissioners discussed next steps: Joy said she would ask Will to provide a broader breakdown; Commissioners also suggested making a formal, written request to Parks & Rec so the commission had an authoritative record. “He gave me two examples of children’s programs… and total number of girls participating youth basketball is coed, obviously… total number of girls is about 42,” Joy told the group.

Ending: Commissioners instructed staff and committee members to pursue a full gender-disaggregated dataset that covers city-run programs and third-party organizations that use municipal facilities, and to return findings to the commission for potential follow-up actions on programming or outreach.
","Norwalk Parks & Recreation reported rising female participation in youth volleyball and basketball; commissioners asked staff to collect a full gender breakdown across city-run and private programs for evaluation of equitable access and resource allocation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6172194,"Commission plans bylaw changes to allow statements on state legislation",465,466000,931000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45&start=466&end=931","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5391238-2a4cf13db52dd0ec8ea78fc7c6142b45/thumbnail_466000.jpg","/articles/6172194/Norwalk-City/Fairfield/Connecticut/Commission-plans-bylaw-changes-to-allow-statements-on-state-legislation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6172194-c4497efb1deef81524731c63cf20ff1e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771179387&Signature=mUo-POO66TmILf~y9HzaWOlL8P0TmOA1je6EdBva6Wy8jxFDQc8pe-JoPPkH6IS1-lrprm7GLp9BoR~otc9LkebO40vAOorOmKx3DERE6upgv0PeLsdpzgUgNoE-M3jIebCitV737ihigHBuGNgXByxa5IxVSjCVvjQ-GxTTrIylVndFYhcqjPMFDLRupTWS5DeDbAQsJA5FrxwQTGG8LUkpUvqon0YzAwyNOjv47fOaYbdu-VyfTqz-kNLUpwu35jQ0D0wQW6egKXL8xuWOg-ZXlfxA4Wwzn9NxufTO65yS4evI915YQ7Raga7fpAB5rzGAz2u6r4mYGXI9n-8Wwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a commission meeting, members discussed formally opening and amending the commission’s bylaws to permit issuing statements or letters in support of state-level legislation and policy.

The change under consideration would let the commission move beyond city-level recommendations and “issue statements or letters for support of state legislation,” Commission member Sharon said, citing New York City’s gender equity commission as a model. Sharon said the committee is still developing language for an amendment but wants the option available.

Why it matters: commissioners said an explicit bylaw clause would clarify the commission’s authority to weigh in on statewide bills affecting gender equity and related issues. Commissioners also stressed they must follow the city’s procedural steps before making any formal policy statements.

Commission member Shannon, asked as the group’s bylaws resource, said the commission must place a motion on a future agenda to open the bylaws for revision; changes would then be drafted, reviewed and presented back to the full commission. “We need to vote to open them up,” Shannon said, adding that after committee drafting, the proposed bylaws would be sent to corporation counsel and then offered for public comment and a public hearing before a final vote.

Commission members raised process questions and timeline. One member estimated the full process could take “three months minimum,” and several commissioners said they did not want to try to open or adopt bylaws changes during the single meeting they were in. Commissioners agreed to add a formal agenda item for the next meeting to begin the process of opening the bylaws for revision.

No formal motion to amend the bylaws was made or voted on at the meeting. Instead, commissioners directed the legislative advocacy committee to prepare draft language and to coordinate with staff and corporation counsel on required steps and timing. Commissioners also discussed making the draft available for public comment before any final vote.

Ending: Commissioners agreed to place a bylaws-modification item on a future agenda, to request corporation counsel’s guidance on the exact procedural steps, and to return a draft for public review and a subsequent vote.
","Members discussed amending the commission’s bylaws so it can issue statements or letters in support of state legislation; commissioners agreed the bylaws must be opened formally, reviewed by corporation counsel and go through public comment before any vote.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission prioritizes domestic-violence awareness; plans partnerships and outreach

Commission seeks comprehensive gender-participation data from Norwalk Parks & Recreation

Commission plans bylaw changes to allow statements on state legislation