“For one of the most vital ways to sustain ourselves is by building communities of resistance, places where we know we are not alone” -bell hooks
This past April, we gathered together with system-based and community-based gender-based violence advocates to deepen connections and practice collective care.
We know that advocates spend their days holding space for survivors and carrying the weight of their stories. At the same time, many of us are carrying the weight of emotional numbing and exhaustion that can come from doing this work in systems that do not offer the same level of care we strive to provide others. We know that sustainable advocacy requires collective care. When advocates have space to process, reconnect, and restore, we strengthen our ability to continue showing up for survivors and one another.
We used our time together to rotate through “restoration stations” for an opportunity to get our creative juices flowing and connect organically while we created art! Attendees were able to explore themes of renewal, grounding and steadiness, new beginnings, and growth.
“I appreciate this type of event because it is important to connect with other staff, to get to connect names with faces as all are working together in the field.” – Advocate Attendee
We heard announcements and updates from across member programs, highlights include:
- Harborview Trauma and Abuse Center and King County Sexual Assault Resource Center shared events happening for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- The King County Protection Order Advocacy Program gave updates about new rules around protection orders as well as their newly launched protection order clinics.
- A research study from the Clinic to End Tech Abuse (CETA) at Cornell University and opportunities to get involved
We look forward to seeing folks again for the our fall/winter Advocate Gathering!