Community Education Series: Supporting Friends & Family of Survivors

Domestic violence impacts all of us.

Many survivors reach out to friends and family for support before they call a domestic violence hotline, or call the police.  We all want to support someone we care about; we want to see them happy and safe. So, when someone we love is being harmed, it’s natural to feel at a loss on how to help.

As community members, we have the potential to impact change. If we can come together and offer support based on what survivors ask for, we can send a message that they are deserving of our help, that the abuse isn’t their fault, and that they shouldn’t have to suffer at the hands of someone who claims to love them. If we can ban together and support survivors, while questioning abusive behavior, we will send the overriding message that abuse doesn’t belong in our community–our circle of friends, our families, our workplaces or our homes.

Please join the W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Outreach Team at a free workshop apart of our Community Education Series. This session will focus on what we as family, friends and community members can do to support survivors of domestic violence, as well as what resources are available for all involved.
When: Wednesday, May 17 at 6:00PM
Where: SF Public Library, Bayview (5075 3rd Street)

RSVP on Facebook/Invite your friends here.
Questions? Please call Alicia at (415)969-6802

Learn more about our Education & Outreach program as well as other ways to get involved at our website: www.womaninc.org/education.

Want to support our programs? People like you are a HUGE reason we can provide our workshops regularly & free of charge. Please consider donating at www.womaninc.org/donate.

 

Dismantling & Rebuilding: Celebrating Jill Zawisza’s 20 Years of Leadership

The W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Board of Directors warmly invites you to Dismantling & Rebuilding: An Evening for Stronger, Safer Communities. We’re celebrating our Executive Director Jill Zawisza’s 20 years of leadership in the domestic violence field and her 10th anniversary with W.O.M.A.N., Inc.

When: Friday, April 28th | 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: Galería de la Raza | 2857 24th Street, SF

Dismantling & Rebuilding is about anti-oppression, intersectional feminism, collaboration across difference, and holding collective power. Inspired by Audre Lorde’s observation that “the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house,” the event promotes stronger, safer communities rooted in intersectionality and inclusion.

About Jill:

Jill has worked as an advocate and leader in the domestic violence field for 20 years. She has dedicated 10 years to W.O.M.A.N., Inc., including five years as our Executive Director. Jill leads by building strong teams and putting people first. She’s created a powerful, resilient W.O.M.A.N., Inc. community that models our vision for the stronger, safer communities we strive to build for all survivors of domestic violence.

Join us for art, music, drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction in an intimate gallery space. Meet our Board, our volunteers, and our incredible staff of seven who provide crisis line, therapeutic, and other supports to survivors of domestic violence in the Bay Area and beyond.

• Get your tickets on Eventbrite here.
• RSVP on Facebook & invite your friends here.
• Can’t make it to the event, but still want to support? Donate in lieu of attending at www.womaninc.org/donate

Support W.O.M.A.N., Inc., Get a 2017 Pet Calendar!

Friends! We are excited to let you know the calendar is now in the works & available for order! Thanks to your submissions, next year’s calendar is full of love & sweet faces. We loved hearing about the healing & pure joy your animal companions bring to your lives.

Sure to be an awesome gift for yourself and/or loved ones, you can reserve your 2017 W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Pet Calendar here. 
Owning a pet and experiencing domestic violence adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation. The abusive partner may withhold money to pay for the animal’s food and water. When attempting to leave, a survivor might be denied housing and/or shelter access because the location does not accommodate pets. We have a fund that hopes to address some of these issues. The proceeds from our pet calendar sales will go back our Pet Fund which helps with food/water costs, kennel stays and more for pets whose humans have experienced domestic violence. 

Want a calendar, but wish to make a general donation to our programs and services? Make a donation of at least $30 $15 here, and indicate in the dedication notes that you would like a pet calendar!

Sneak peek below!

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Why Pet Calendar? Follow this link to learn more. 

 

How to Participate in Domestic Violence Awareness Month This October

1. Knowledge is power! Educate yourself about healthy and unhealthy relationships.Learn about the additional barriers people from different communities face when experiencing domestic violence. Challenge traditional ideas of domestic violence & squash misconceptions. Read about how different patterns of violence intersect with one another. Spread that knowledge around!
2. Wear purple, the domestic violence awareness color. Show your support by adding some purple to your ensembles this October.
3. Donate!
   • If you’re interested in supporting W.O.M.A.N., Inc.:
     1. Allstate’s Purple Purse Challenge! We are excited to be selected to  participate in this annual event, a nation-wide fundraiser to raise awareness of financial abuse & to promote economic empowerment. We have a chance to win $100,000 and would love to garner your support in our cause. Click here to find out how you can get involved.
     2. Contribute to our Pet Fund! Anyone who donates $25+ to the Pet Fund will receive a 2017 W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Pet Calendar

• We are amongst a plethora of bay area anti-violence agencies. Find one you support, and contribute to the cause. Any little bit helps.

4.  Attend an event near you! Domestic violence agencies from all around the country will be hosting events to honor DV awareness month. Participating in one is an easy way to be apart of the movement.

5. Contact a local domestic violence agency to learn more about domestic violence and what you can do to help.

• Interested in getting involved? Check out our volunteer opportunities!
• Engage. Educate. Empower! W.O.M.A.N., Inc. is offering a free workshop on how to support survivors of domestic violence. 

6. Talk about it! Don’t be afraid to initiate conversations about domestic violence awareness. With that said, part of being a good ally is to do your best to exercise non-judgmental love and support. If someone opens up to you about their experience with abuse, actively listen and believe the survivor when they are brave enough to speak their truth. Here are some tips on disclosure to keep in mind when dealing with those experiencing domestic violence:

7. Take action on social media! The internet is FULL of stuff to get involved with. Share with your networks why you’re standing up against DV this month, start/participate in awareness campaigns (Examples: SurvivedAndPunished, NoMore, CPEDV Calendar, #SeeDV). So many ways to show your support just from your computer at home.

Remember, domestic violence is a community issue. You can have a role in ending domestic violence. Learn more about ways you can help:

• Check out the SF Department on the Status of Women’s Bystander Awareness campaign:learnwhattodo.org
• National Coalition to End Domestic Violence 
• National Network to End Domestic Violence 
• California Partnership to End Domestic Violence
• Northwest Network
• Move to End Violence
• Ways To Confront a Loved One Who is Abusing Their Partner

 

If you feel you or someone you know may be experiencing abuse, please feel free to give our support line a call at (415)864-4722. We are here for you 24/7.

www.womaninc.org | womaninc.wordpress.com 

 

 

YOUR Pet Could Be In Our 2017 W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Pet Calendar!

It’s that time of year again! Looking for animal friends to star in our annual W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Pet Calendar! If you’re unfamiliar with the history behind our Pet Calendar, you may be thinking “Okay. This is cute, but what is the relevance? Where do animals come into play when we’re talking about domestic violence?” Reasonable questions, here’s some context:

• There is a big correlation between domestic violence & animal abuse. Statistics

  

  “I’m a domestic violence survivor. I’ve been though hell and back multiple times but Dakine, my Alaskan Malamute has stood by me every step of the way. She was my shoulder to cry on and always seemed to understand. Without her I don’t think I would have made the tough transition to freedom. She truly is my best friend.”

  show that people who abuse their partners are also super likely to abuse their pets. It is not uncommon that abusers harm/threaten to harm the survivor’s pet as a manipulation tactic.

• Pets can play a large role in the survival and healing of those who’ve experienced violence and trauma. On top of many stories of pets intervening and protecting their humans in abusive situations, pets have anecdotally and statistically shown to be instrumental in the healing process of so many survivors. Our animal friends are a source of unconditional love, something we all deserve.

In addition to raising awareness for the correlation between domestic violence and animal abuse, we want to celebrate the therapeutic powers animals provide us during times of both struggle and healing. How has your pet impacted YOUR life? Whether your pet has helped you through hardship or you just want to share with the community about the joy your animal friend has brought to your life, we invite you to share what you’d like with us! Please submit a picture (no specific size requirements, we just ask that it is a clear photo) of your pet with a short blurb (~25 – 75 words) on what they mean to you to shaena@womaninc.org by Monday, November 28th. Be sure to include your name (unless you wish to remain anonymous; if that is the case please indicate so) and your pet(s) name(s). Feel free to get creative! Short stories, love letters or simple odes of appreciation all encouraged.

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Owning a pet and experiencing domestic violence adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation. The abusive partner may withhold money to pay for the animal’s food and water. When attempting to leave, a survivor might be denied housing and/or shelter access because the location does not accommodate pets. We have a fund that hopes to address some of these issues. The proceeds from our pet calendar sales will go back our Pet Fund which helps with food/water costs, kennel stays and more for pets whose humans have experienced domestic violence. 

Check out previous submissions on our Facebook: 2015, 2016

 

W.O.M.A.N., Inc. is excited to announce some new funders and projects!

Hybrid Domestic Violence Training

Thank you to The Joseph and Vera Long Foundation and Sidney Stern Memorial Trust who recently made a contribution to support our hybrid training project!

Fall 2015 W.O.M.A.N., Inc. Domestic Violence Training Graduation

Thanks to their generous support, W.O.M.A.N., Inc. training participants will benefit from online learning modules designed to meet the diverse needs of adult learning. This offline training will enrich our time together, and allow for learning activities, group conversation and building relationships within our training groups. Scheduled to launch in late-Spring, 2016, our hybrid training will speak to better use of capacity and offer ease when collaborating with our community partners.

The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation

Thank you to The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Foundation for supporting our domestic violence services. A first time funder of our work, The Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Foundation are supporting us as we support survivors of domestic violence, their family and their freinds. Funds will be allocated to our support line, drop in services and our Latina Program. Thank you, Carl Gellert and Celia Berta Gellert Foundation for bolstering our services with your grant!

Echando Pa’Lante
Our Echando Pa’Lante program received a boost in funding, enabling us to train five of our past program participants to become domestic violence advocates. Echando Pa’Lante (Moving Forward) members are Latina immigrants who have survived domestic violence. These leaders will be trained to provide outreach, provide counseling, and facilitate support groups. This work was made possible in part by Blue Shield Against Violence Foundation.

 

W.O.M.A.N., Inc. at #SurvivedandPunished: A Radical Coalition to End the Criminalization of Survivors

Last month, we were honored to be one of several awesome agencies co-sponsoring #SurvivedandPunished: A Radical Coalition to End the Criminalization of Survivors.This 4 hour event held at UC Berkeley was organized by California Coalition for Women Prisoners, Free Marissa Now, Stand With Nan-Hui, and Center For Race & Gender, UC Berkeley. Attended by advocates and passionate community members alike, #SurvivedandPunished featured a film, panel and discussion on the criminalization of domestic and sexual violence survivors.

The film “Out in the Night” chronicles the experiences of four African-American lesbian women from New Jersey who are charged with assault and attempted murder after experiencing sexual harassment and a potential attack. After being violently cat-called, threatened and approached by a straight man during a night out in New York, a scuffle ensues and the man in stabbed.The four women are arrested and charged with gang assault, assault and attempted murder; they are subsequently known as the “New Jersey Four”. The following trial and media accounts reflect how race, gender, class and sexuality intersect in such a way that these women were painted as a dangerous gang of ‘bloodthirsty’ lesbians, while completely ignoring the fact that they were victims of violent, homophobic language as well as dangerous threats. This film contributes to our understanding of how the criminal-legal system sometimes places survivors of violence into a double-bind where, as a result of being part of a marginalized group they are often left without recourse to the legal system for their safety, yet when they defend their very lives, they are often re-victimized by that same criminal-legal system. One of the “New Jersey Four”, Renata Hill, was present for the screening as well as for the Q&A after the film.

During the panel, individuals who organized the event and speakers from the Transgender Law Center and TGI Justice Project shared their insight on their work, on the myriad of oppressive systems that collaborate to create a criminal justice system that fails and even criminalizes survivors of violence, and on their experiences, some as incarcerated survivors themselves. Afterwards, they had attendees break out into groups to engage in rich, strategic discussions on how we can work as a community to address all these complex issues at hand. What do we picture in an ideal world with an ideal social construct, justice system and ideal reservoir of resources? How do we address state sanctioned violence? How do we better support survivors in immigrant detention and deportation proceedings? How do we end a system that criminalizes survival techniques of those experiencing abuse, particularly marginalized groups? What do we need? How do we get there? There are more questions to be asked, none of which can be definitively answered, but it is powerful to see gatherings like this come together sharing knowledge and passion dedicated to making an impact and working towards a better future.

Many thanks to the organizers, speakers, co-sponsors and participants that made this event possible. It was a phenomenal experience.

To learn more about the Survived and Punished Project, click here.

– Elena Alvarado-Strasser, DV Advocate & Shaena Spoor, Program Assistant