At YWCA, we know that not all violence is acknowledged or responded to equally, and some survivors go unrecognized altogether. Every year we have one week in October, which is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, set aside to observe Week Without Violence to share information and stories, advocate, and more, all with the common goal in mind to end gender-based violence.
Our YWCA’s Gender-Based Violence Specialized Services (GBVSS) team wanted to further emphasize the importance of centering Black survivors of gender-based violence and focused this week around the theme of Black, Bold, and Brave.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY
The leaders of YWCA’s programs serving Black women and survivors shared the ways gender-based violence impacts our community. Featuring YWCA’s Chief Program Officer of King County, Patricia Hayden, and Director of the GBVSS team, Doris O’Neal.
INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE & BLACK WOMEN
A keynote presentation by Dr. Carolyn West about the ways historic trauma and oppression compounds the impact of gender-based violence for Black women survivors.
SURVIVOR-DEFENDANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Learn how Survivors FIRST, a unique partnership between YWCA and the King County Prosecutor’s Office, supports survivor-defendants, victims of abuse who are accused of a domestic violence related crime. Featuring YWCA’s Doris O’Neal and Bridget Griffin (Domestic Violence Community Legal Advocate), as well as David Martin, Senior Deputy Prosecutor and Supervisor of King County Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence Unit.
HELPING SURVIVORS THRIVE
YWCA’s GBVSS staff share the ways they meet the needs of survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual assault, as well as the importance of specialized services for Black women. Featuring YWCA’s Bridget Griffin, Nature Carter (Program Manager of Commercial Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Assault programs), and Avery Sell (Domestic Violence & Commercial Exploitation Advocate).
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE FAQ
An informative and interactive Q&A with the staff of YWCA’s GBVSS programs and learn how to support survivors in our community. Featuring YWCA’s Bridget Griffin, Nature Carter, Avery Sell, Korama Williams (Domestic Violence Community Advocate), and Colette Sampson (Domestic Violence Legal Advocate). Spoken word by Korama Williams.
Talk to your friends, family, and coworkers about what you learned in the videos above. Help diversify the stories we tell about what gender-based violence looks like and who experiences it. And help advocate for programs and policies that protect those furthest from opportunity: Black and African American women.
RESOURCE LIST
- History of the "angry Black woman" stereotype
- Explanation of litigation abuse
- Fact sheet on intimate partner violence and reproductive coercion
- Examples of the "power and control" wheel for domestic violence and trafficking
- The six guiding principles of trauma-informed care
- YWCA's toll-free call and text line: 877.757.8297
Annalee Schafranek is the Marketing & Editorial Director at YWCA. She contributes agency news, press releases, and media coverage to the website. Annalee’s educational and professional experience has always focused on the place where gender equity and media meet.
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