It’s been a busy few months, y’all! Here are some highlights!
In January: we started the year off with an amazing Annual Meeting at Tukwila Community Center with over 50 attendees representing a majority of our 35+ member organizations alongside other community partners! Seeing so much uncertainty unfold just a few weeks into January, we asked the question: what are your individual values? The values of your organization? The values of the Coalition? We look to our values as important guideposts to navigate uncertainty, helping us get clear on what matters most, in order to stay rooted in the work to end gender-based violence and shift the conditions that allow it to flourish. How do we continue to serve and support survivors with so much uncertainty? It was a breath of fresh air to spend time in community with our members.
In March: we held our Spring GBV Preventionists Retreat, an all day event focused on the work of GBV preventionists in collaboration with Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center and API Chaya. Over 50 participants from membership agencies, community organizers and local artists came together to build community, learn more about various service agencies and discuss the needs and strength of our local GBV prevention work.
In April: we came together with GBV community based and systems based advocates for our Spring Advocate Gathering, planned in partnership with the DVHopeline (New Beginnings), the King County Protection Order Advocacy Program, Seattle Attorney’s Office DV Unit, and Seattle Human Services Department Victim Support Team.
Together, we were reminded of our power as a collective and in the knowledge that we already have the skills, tools and expertise to cope and resist the monumental abuses of power that we are witnessing at the highest levels of government.
We started THREE training series in the spring and to continue into the summer/fall!
- Danni Askini and Jesse Bohlin facilitated three sessions with over 100+ attendees on Supporting Trans Survivors of Gender-Based Violence. This training gave an overview of gender-based violence (GBV) in Two-Spirit, Trans, and Gender Diverse communities, highlighting the scale of the issue through statistics, research, and the intersections of race, class, disability, and neurodiversity. It explores the concept of trans misogyny, including its role in the current political climate and the impact of widespread anti-trans misinformation, while also equipping participants with foundational Trans 101 language and tools for continued learning.
- Dr. Leticia Nieto facilitated the first three out of six sessions to support advocates and others in the gender-based violence movement explore the questions: How can we better incorporate an anti-oppression lens in our advocacy practices? What are the ways to promote healing and liberation within our team and organizations?
- Fran Schopick kicked off the first two our of four session of Legal Training Series targeted for mental health therapists supporting survivors of domestic violence. Topic included Confidentiality and Privilege & A Basic guide to Disclosure and Informed Consent.
Stay tuned for more offerings in the Fall and Winter!