Annamarya Scaccia

Annamarya Scaccia is an independent journalist who has reported extensively on law and policy, domestic violence, sexual violence, reproductive and sexual health, transgender issues, and disability among other rousing topics. In addition to Rewire, her work has appeared in the NY Daily News, Philadelphia Weekly and Philadelphia City Paper, and at The Consumer Eagle, Next City, Quest Magazine, The Raw Story, and Role/Reboot. Annamarya was a 2011 Fellow for the Peter Jennings Project for Journalists and the Constitution, and is the author of the poetry and prose collection, Destiny for a Tragedy. Follow her on Twitter @annamarya_s.

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New York Shelter Will Let Domestic Violence Survivors Live With Their Pets

Annamarya Scaccia

Animals are often the targets of abuse, and can be used to perpetuate domestic and economic violence.

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SESTA Is Already Having Devastating Impacts on Sex Workers—Just Like They Predicted (Updated)

Annamarya Scaccia

Shortly after the legislation passed through Congress, Craigslist shut down its personals section, and Reddit removed several subreddits related to sex work. This, sex workers say, will put them in danger.

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The Trump Administration Is Making It Harder to Stop Foster Children From Being Trafficked

Annamarya Scaccia

Last week, the administration delayed an Obama-era rule that would have made it easier to collect data crucial to improving the lives of sex trafficking victims in the foster care system.

Sex-Trafficking Victims Are Forced to Relive Their Traumas in Order to Clear Their Records

Annamarya Scaccia

But a new legislative proposal might change that.

Federal Agency Issues Guidance Shielding Abuse Survivors From Eviction for Calling Police

Annamarya Scaccia

Through its guidance, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development clarifies that a city ordinance is in violation of the Fair Housing Act if it has a discriminatory effect on people of a protected class who live in private or public housing and use emergency services.

New Pennsylvania Bill Is Just One Step Toward Helping Survivors of Economic Abuse

Annamarya Scaccia

The legislation would allow victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking to terminate their lease early or request locks be changed if they have "a reasonable fear" that they will continue to be harmed while living in their unit.

Medicaid Coverage for Transition-Related Care ‘Is Really a Life-or-Death Issue’

Annamarya Scaccia

Medicaid's exclusionary regulations deny many low-income transgender people access to medically necessary health care, advocates say, and cause physical, mental, and economic harm.

New Bill Would Help Domestic Violence Survivors Find Shelter for Their Pets Too

Annamarya Scaccia

Less than 5 percent of domestic violence shelters nationwide house pets. But a real need exists for more: Survivors often delay leaving abusive situations because they fear their companion animal would be harmed or killed.

New Jersey’s New Bill May Indicate Changing Views Toward ‘Death With Dignity’

Annamarya Scaccia

Nearly two weeks after Brittany Maynard used Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act to end her life at the age of 29, the New Jersey General Assembly passed a similar aid in dying bill that gives terminally ill patients the right to help in precipitating their death.

Domestic Abuse Survivors in Pennsylvania Town Will No Longer Face Eviction for Calling the Police

Annamarya Scaccia

"Nuisance ordinances," which penalize landlords for tenants' supposed disorderly conduct, can often force women to choose between escaping their abuser and keeping secure housing.

Annamarya Scaccia

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