BOSTON, April 4 – Today, Jane Doe Inc. (JDI), the Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, announced that Hema Sarang-Sieminski, JDI’s current Policy Director, will assume the role of Deputy Director.
Since joining JDI in January 2020, Sarang-Sieminski has led JDI’s policy and systems advocacy agenda, including advocating for necessary investment in services and support for survivors. Sarang-Sieminski has been instrumental in the development and implementation of JDI’s intersectional, anti-oppression approach to policy and systems change, including access to safety and justice in our court systems for all survivors, policies to support criminalized survivors, economic justice, and related challenges. This policy and systems change work is essential to supporting the work of direct service providers across the state that make up the JDI Coalition, who are working every day to undo the social injustices that perpetuate sexual and domestic violence while amplifying the voices and needs of survivors.
In her new role as Deputy Director, Sarang-Sieminski will work closely with the full team at JDI to expand the organization’s capacity to support members across Massachusetts, strengthen JDI’s field leadership and strategic partnerships, and continue leading critical advocacy efforts to advance meaningful policies to support survivors and prevent harm.
“Hema has dedicated her career to creating conditions that support wholeness and dignity for survivors at the intersections of various forms of oppression,” said Debra Robbin, Executive Director of JDI. “We are incredibly grateful for the leadership Hema has provided JDI as Policy Director and couldn’t be more excited for what they’ll bring to the role of Deputy Director. We are at a critical moment when it comes to supporting survivors and advancing systemic solutions to prevent future violence and trauma, and Hema’s experience, insight, and compassion remain invaluable in that work.”
“I am honored and excited to take on this new role,” said Sarang-Sieminski. “The wisdom and vision of the JDI team, member organizations, allies, and partners over the past three-plus years is at the heart of any meaningful progress on behalf of survivors across Massachusetts. I look forward to continuing to identify new ways JDI can support and partner with survivors, advocates, grassroots organizers, and other community leaders in the years to come.”
Prior to joining JDI, Sarang-Sieminski was a Senior Attorney at the Victim Rights Law Center, where they provided local and national training and technical assistance to enhance access to civil legal services for sexual assault survivors, as well as direct legal representation to immigrant and LGBTQ survivor communities. She has worked with survivors of partner abuse and sexual violence for over 20 years in various roles including private immigration practice, community engagement in LGBTQ communities with The Network/La Red, and as a Staff Attorney at the Immigration Unit of Greater Boston Legal Services.
###
ABOUT JDI
JDI (Jane Doe Inc., The Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence) is the only statewide membership and advocacy coalition in Massachusetts dedicated to addressing sexual and domestic violence. We aim to support survivors and end violence by promoting gender equity, racial justice, and safety for everyone. JDI’s mission is to complement and support the expertise and leadership of our 60 community-based member organizations with a statewide strategy involving public and private partners to tackle systemic issues that foster and perpetuate violence, to create policies and explore innovative solutions that improve the lives of survivors, and to prevent gender-based violence. To learn more visit https://janedoe.org.