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News, Upcoming Trainings, Other Resources
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February is...Black History Month
"If democracy is such a good thing, let's have more of it." - Dick Gregory, civil rights activist, social critic and writer
Today's black activists have established themselves in social justice movements, just as Dick Gregory and other historical black figures have done in the past.
Black History Month recognizes the past, present and future of black successes and activism, and the continued efforts to call out injustices on the path to equality for all.
From Tarana Burke and the #MeToo movement, to activist Marissa Alexander's release from prison after defending herself against her abusive husband, to rapper and actor Common encouraging conversation after revealing childhood sexual abuse, the African American experience is being told by survivors, advocates and activists.
According to various reports by the ACLU:
- About 22 percent of black women in the United States have experienced rape
- Forty percent of black women will experience intimate partner violence
- In a 2015 survey of black trans and non-binary individuals, 53 percent have experienced sexual violence and 56 percent have experienced domestic violence
Reports on black men, and interpersonal and sexual violence are limited. National estimates state that 1 in 6 men experience sexual abuse, but few specifics are available on black men. Some of this is due to underreporting - a common trend in disclosing abuse - but more common in black communities due to distrust of law enforcement, cultural norms and limited access to community support.
We can actively work to dismantle the systems that negatively impact African Americans with:
- Culturally competent prevention and intervention programs,
- Support of movements inspired and led by black advocates
- Advocacy for systems change at the educational, medical, economic and legal levels of our society
Black history is happening every day, inspiring a new generation of young activists leaving their mark on the world, advocating for change and speaking out in the face of silence. Take time to celebrate the past with an eye on the future!
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Resources
Black Women's Blueprint: an organization dedicated to empowering women and girls of African descent, and envisioning a world where gender, race and other disparities are erased
GirlTrek: a TED talk featuring two Black women whose mission is to reduce the leading causes of preventable death among Black women and build communities in the process
Man Up Campaign: an organization started by activist Jimmie Briggs that engages youth in a global movement to end gender-based violence and advance gender equality
Trans Women of Color Collective: an organization that cultivates economic opportunities and affirming spaces for trans people of color to foster kinship, community engagement in healing and restorative justice through art, media, advocacy and activism
Black Lives Matter 5280: BLM5280 centers and celebrates the lives and leaderships of Black women and girls with a vision of liberation that affirms gender equality, racial equity and social justice
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 | Lydia Waligorski,
Public Policy Director
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Public Policy Team Update
Uneven implementation of existing federal and state firearm laws across jurisdictions has had dire consequences for survivors of domestic violence, who were harmed by abusers who were not legally permitted to have firearms.
On Feb. 3, the Colorado state legislature introduced a bill to close these loopholes. HB20-1278 will help clarify how a criminal defendent or respondent to a qualifying permanent protection order may relinquish firearms while legally prohibited and how they can reclaim firearms once they are no longer subject to federal and state law prohibitions.
The bill will need your support to pass. We will be seeking testimony in support fo the bill on several topics. Please reach out to me at lwaligorski@violencefreeco.org to learn more about opportunities to testify.
We will share the hearing date and other updates as information becomes available. Stay tuned to our Facebook page, and sign up for our Public Policy Alerts to learn more and help get this bill passed.
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Tamika Matthews, Community Impact Manager
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Community Impact Team Update
Our 2020 membership drive is underway! When you receive your Violence Free Colorado invoice, you can return it with your payment and send back to our office. You can also pay by credit card on our membership site, Coalition Manager. It's that easy!
Your renewal gives you access to all of our incredible member benefits, including our Online Learning Center, discounted rates to our annual conference, training and technical assistance from the Coalition at your fingertips, and so much more.
Already renewed? Thank you! We value you as a member and look forward to work with you this year! Please take a moment to update your organization's profile on Coalition Manager to make sure we have the most current information on file for you.
If you need access or are having problems accessing the site, please contact Hannah Colter, Community Impact Specialist, at hcolter@violencefreeco.org for assistance.
Remember: your Community Impact Team is here and available for any questions you may have around media relations, social media development and strategic communications for your organization. Contact me at tmatthews@violencefreeco.org or 720-728-8368 to learn more!
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 | Liz Stuewe,
Training and TA Manager
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Training and TA Update
Webinar #5: Reducing Staff Burnout and Turnover
2 p.m. Feb. 13
Participants will learn to recognize signs of burnout and secondary trauma, gain skills to discuss these issues with their supervisees and/or coworkers, learn the major causes of employee turnover and how they apply to the domestic violence field and receive a high-level overview of strategies to address these issues. Learn more and register today!
Webinar #6: How to Handle Negative Survivor Feedback
1 p.m. Feb. 27
Participants will learn about some of the common types of negative feedback received from survivors who utilize community-based domestic violence services and how to support both the survivor and advocates in responding to the feedback. Learn more and register today!
Brown Bag webinar: noon, Feb. 11
Topic: Public Will-Building Strategies
Register today!
Public will-building is the process of working within and alongside community to move people past awareness and into action..Join Chance LeBeau, Violence Free Colorado Housing Program Specialist, to learn how to engage supportive community partners to shift the lens in which we view domestic violence and survivors.
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Webinars and Web-Based Trainings
Do you have an upcoming training or event that you'd like to share with the Violence Free Colorado community? Post an event on our website calendar!
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In-Person Events and Trainings
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Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence offers fourth edition of "And Justice for All" compendium
The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence offers And Justice for All: Court Advocacy with Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence as a 330-page compendium of best practice approaches in advocacy, relevant state and federal law, and subsequent interpretations of those statutes in case law.
This publication is structured to be used by attorneys, criminal and civil justice system partners, allied service organizations, community members, and advocates within sexual and domestic violence programs.
Visit MCADSV's online store to learn more about this and other resources available for purchase.
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Violence Free Colorado's Domestic Violence Awareness Month committee seeking new members!
You can help Violence Free Colorado and domestic violence programs around the state to raise awareness about domestic violence and join in our efforts to end it this October!
We're already planning our 2020 kickoff event and looking for members for our DVAM planning committee! Whether you have event planning experience, or just want a chance to support survivors and your state coalition, we'd love to have you! Contact Hannah Colter, Community Impact Specialist, at hcolter@violencefreeco.org.
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Children's Wellness Center of Colorado hosts 10-week Kids' Club and Moms Empowerment Group beginning Feb. 10
The Children's Wellness Center of Colorado hosts a Kids' Club and Moms Empowerment Group for children and mothers exposed to domestic violence on Mondays beginning at 6 p.m. Feb. 10.
Children can connect with other children in similar situations, make sense of their experiences and learn to manage emotions, conflict and family relationships.
Mothers will connect with other moms to discuss the impact of violence on their children's development, build parenting confidence and discuss parenting fears and worries.
Contact the Children's Wellness Center of Colorado at 720-662-7862 or info@cwccolorado.com for more information.
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