Upload
pavingnewroads
View
1.523
Download
2
Embed Size (px)
DESCRIPTION
Presentation from Paving New Roads: Communities Engaged in Resisting Violence. See www.womenandgirlscan.org for details.
Citation preview
Opportunities for Innovative Anti-Violence Work in Youth Spaces
Envision models of anti-violence work that center the experiences of youth of color, LGBTQ individuals, PIC-impacted folks, and poor people
To further our understandings of intimate partner violence through an anti-oppression and harm reduction framework
Drop-In Program History Logistics Structure Goals Definition of “Success”
Anti-OppressionRelationship BuildingHarm ReductionTrauma-InformedStaff/Team Development
Integrate the individual and collective understandings of oppression and trauma into individual and group work within the space.
Link liberation struggles which oppose racism, sexism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism and all other forms of oppression.
Safe Space: We recognize that “hate language” is often connected to internalized oppression and experiences with trauma.
Practical Applications: Queer It Up! (project-based programming) Youth inform programming (Do Yr Own Thing, Real
Talk)
Confidentiality/Safe Space Disclosure Boundaries Expectations/Limitations Threshold of Accessing the
Services/Space Attitude: Youth workers, adult allies, and
safe space brings individuals back to the BYC drop-in program—not necessarily the array of services offered.
Basic Principles: Participant’s decision is accepted Participant is treated with dignity Participant is expected to take
responsibility for own behavior Reducing harm not activity No pre-defined outcomes
Traditional abstinence based programs only offer options to those seeking abstinence
Health, life improvement, housing and empowerment are possible for anyone, not just the sober, abstinent, and those who leave abusive relationships
Creates relationships of respect and trust that enable greater depth of healing FOR THE LONG RUN
Offers a “buffet” interventions rather than “one size fits all”
Safe Space: Participants can access the space high or
drunk. Spectrum of engagement is celebrated. We always offer an array of basic needs Participants can self-select out of
programming (Lesson: Compulsory programming does NOT work)
HR informs sexual health HR informs conversations around involvement
in the sex trade and street economies HR informs Intimate Partner Violence/Violence
between participants
Emphasis on Self Care Safety Planning = Skill Building Reality Testing Reframing Normalizing Consistent staffing Drop In Counseling and Case
Management Safe Space:
Youth can sleep!
Regularly explore, share, and generate harm reduction and safety planning strategies and approaches to sexual assault and intimate partner violence in formal and informal settings—as well as issues surrounding transgender issues, the PIC, criminalization, trauma
Premises: Spectrum of accountability
(consequences are often youth-driven, individualized)
Deconstruct “hate” language Normalizing necessity of drugs/weapons
during orientation. Recognizing the possibility of triggers
around sexualized behavior.
We recognize that all youth who access our space are survivors of oppression and trauma—and, therefore, violence.
We recognize that we can’t simply have a “no perpetrators” policy. Many participants have both perpetrated and
experienced violence. Safety plans are participant-driven,
allowing participants to define their own experience. Using harm reduction to increase
accountability and reality test.
Youth leadershipConsistencyStruggle between becoming a crisis-
driven space versus a space that can absorb crisis
Demand for one-on-one work exceeds capacity everyday