Friday, March 10, 2023, 10:00am-12:30pm (PT)

Hosted by The YWCA of Greater Portland Social Justice Program. The idea of encouraging marginalized and oppressed people of color who have experienced DV to come forth and seek services and support from community organizations and law enforcement can ignite trauma responses as a result of being abused by the very systems that are said to help and support them. The trauma experienced when your voice is unheard: your experience minimized, and you are blamed as the victim, all contribute to the perpetual cycle of violence, suppression, and rejection that form our unwillingness to seek help. Since the days of slavery, we as a people have been resourceful in creating safety amongst ourselves because safety historically has not existed for us within the dominant culture. As enslaved peoples, our ancestors created and learned to use codes and underground avenues to create safety and community amongst themselves. This same concept applies to DV survivors of color today; safety and support are sought in unconventional ways.

In this workshop, we will discuss how survivors work outside of dominant systems when they aren’t safe and reliable. We will discuss underground avenues of responding to domestic violence; what barriers impact the willingness to seek support; identify ways systems can respond, and identify DV support outside of mainstream channels. My hope is that the audience will leave the workshop feeling empowered and equipped to navigate DV support-mainstream and underground- with confidence, comfort, and optimism.

Cost: $0-$30. Registration and more information here 

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