Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October, 2020

We hosted a four-part series to discuss how racism and misogyny impacts survivors’ ability to seek safety and justice.

Oct. 7 – Systemic racism in the DV context

The scourge of racism impacts all of the systems in which we live. In this discussion, panelists will speak to the ways the race and religion of survivors impacts their interaction with domestic violence service providers and the criminal legal system.

Panel
Rahmah A. Abdulaleem, Executive Director of KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights
Karma Cottman, Executive Director of the DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Qudsia Raja, Vice President of Policy & Equity Initiatives at the National Domestic Violence Hotline
Dr. Rev. Sarai Crain-Pope, Deputy Chief of Violence Prevention at City of Oakland

Oct. 14 – Honoring Indigenous People’s Day and the unique needs of Indian Country

Through data, statistics, and stories this session will explore the gaps and particular needs of Tribal governments to prosecute gender-based violence in Indian Country and create safety in their communities.

Panel
Kerri Colfer, Congressional Advocate for Native American Advocacy Program at the Friends Committee on National Legislation
Elizabeth Carr, Senior Native Affairs Advisor at the National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
Kelbie Kennedy, Policy Counsel at the National Congress of American Indians
Tami Truett Jerue, Executive Director at the Alaska Native Women’s Resource Center

Oct. 21 – Seeing DV through the lens of economic inequality 

Gender-based violence cannot be vanquished in isolation. It is necessary to transform systems and cultures in order to foster conditions of collective thriving, and to rethink the role of individuals, communities and institutions in creating those conditions. This session will explore both the root causes of extreme economic inequality as well as the immediate financial challenges facing those experiencing domestic violence. This will be a participatory session.

Speakers
Dr. Negar Abay, Economic Justice and Gender Equality & Advancement of Women Officer at the Office of Public Affairs, Baha’is of the United States
Rev. Lucinda Kent, Pastor of the Van Buren United Methodist Church

Oct. 28 – Alternative Models for safety & justice

Many of the systems and programs created to help survivors often do significant harm to Black and brown communities. This session will explore why our current systems aren’t working, and highlight alternative models for those seeking safety and justice outside of the criminal legal system. It will also look at the role of community and faith in creating safety.

Panel
Tschika McBean, Human Rights Officer at the Office of Public Affairs, Baha’is of the United States
Rev. Ramelia Williams, Director of Ministry Initiatives at the Evangelical Covenant Church – Love Mercy Do Justice
Sheldon ‘Solitair’ Pitt, Chair of FYou/Forgiveness Project/Program Manager of FYou Jail