During it all, we are still here fighting the good fight. The fight against domestic violence warrants much attention across many sectors. This fight gains greater momentum annually due to the increased media coverage, homicides, shelter stays, police reports, court orders and the list goes on. Partnerships and collaborations are needed to galvanize the efforts to deal with the devastating impact of domestic violence on individuals, families, and communities as a whole.
As a statewide membership organization, the question is asked often, “Are we doing enough?” From my perspective, we aren’t because the issues are so vast and deeply rooted. Domestic violence happens behind closed doors. It prevails with breakdowns in systems, when people turn their heads, and when society refuses to accept the harsh realities of domestic violence. When we see the fatalities in the media, we are moved but only momentarily. No real movement takes place to make any change.
Domestic violence awareness and prevention begins with attempts to change the attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, environments, and policies that contribute to violence. This entails cultivating mind sets free of abuse, promoting healthy and safe relationships, and empowering our communities to not be complacent concerning domestic violence. Can this be accomplished? Yes, with awareness activities, education, and campaigns. MCADV is continuing to partner with organizations throughout the state to make significant strides in this area. Awareness starts and ends with each one of us.
We will continue to focus our efforts on honing in on issues that impact domestic violence victims. The issues and needs are widespread, however, as a coalition we are committed to the cause. The work continues across party lines, races, ethnicities, and systems of all types. Continue to support our efforts by being a member of the INside TRAC or contacting your local shelter program.
We have much work to do. Remember, “Together, we have the strength.”
Wendy Mahoney
Executive Director
Since 2020, MCADV has hosted Advocates Coffee Breaks to address domestic violence topics, intersections, upcoming events, and emerging trends. Conducted on the zoom platform, these sessions attract victim advocates and service providers from across the state of Mississippi and often across the nation. The professional development topics are identified by victim advocates during annual needs assessments and ongoing evaluations.
The 2022 series of Advocate Coffee Break is focused on culturally specific populations. The series is aimed to strengthen the cultural competency and abilities of service providers to offer inclusive and welcoming services for survivors of diverse cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. Advocates are provided a deeper understanding of the selected community and tools to develop and strengthen proactive programming to meet those needs and facilitate access to all programs and services available.
Beginning with the first session of the year, advocates focused on providing services to nonresidential survivors. Facilitated byReverend Traci Jackson, Director of the Domestic & Sexual Violence Project for Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, the session provided insight and practical application to enhancing nonresidential services. Twenty-five advocates joined the conversation and shared their best practices and challenges in assisting nonresidential victims and survivors through safety planning, preparations to leave the abusive relationship, and accessing resources, counseling, and support to manage the situation.
With domestic violence being the leading causes of homelessness in women, it is beneficial for service providers to have meaningful partnerships with housing organizations, programs, and resources addressing housing insecurities. February’s Advocate Coffee Break, attended by over 40 victim advocates, focused on providing care and support for survivors at the intersection of domestic violence and homelessness. Jason Spencer with Tennessee Valley Regional Housing Authority shared insight on working with local housing authorities. Patricia Boyou with Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence discussed the center’s longstanding participation in their local continuum of care. Advocates addressed assisting survivors to navigate the opportunities and resources or lack of options available regarding housing insecurities.
With two sessions of the series completed, the feedback confirms the relevance of the topics. One advocate wrote, “I immediately took some of what the presenter said and applied it to work I was working on.” Another shared that their favorite part was “being able to see just how much everyone is putting their all into helping those that are victims of domestic violence and homelessness.”
“It is our goal that victim advocates participating in Advocate Coffee Breaks will be proactive and better prepared to provide culturally specific services when survivors from diverse backgrounds seek their services,” explained MCADV Special Projects Coordinator, Vera Johnson. She added, “Attending the session is just the beginning, the success is in application of the learning. We are here to provide the technical assistance to member programs as they grow on their cultural spectrum.”
Future sessions will focus on survivors of various cultures and communities including American Muslim, transgender, deaf and hard of hearing, substance dependent, male victims, and limited English proficiency. If you are interested in receiving notification of upcoming Advocate Coffee Breaks, email support@mcadv.org.
Seeking help for domestic violence is not always a request for emergency shelter. Nonresidential services provide assistance for individuals living in abusive relationships who do not want or need the safety of a shelter but need help dealing with the traumatic situation. For many survivors, residing in a shelter would hinder them from keeping a piece of normalcy that they desire in their lives. Staying in their own households while receiving needed support creates empowerment that is essential to the healing process. Domestic violence programs understand the need for nonresidential services and work diligently towards meeting victims where they are. Haven House Family Shelter is one of MCADV’s domestic violence member programs. Historically, they have offered offsite services to victims and survivors of domestic violence. Obstacles have sometimes hindered their ability to provide assistance outside of the shelter. Haven House has been able to skillfully maneuver around those obstacles and find a way to offer much needed nonresidential services to their clients.
Haven House Family Shelter, located in Vicksburg, MS, has been assisting victims of domestic violence since 1985. They have always worked toward the goal of serving victims and survivors offsite but recognized the need for additional strategies while working with MCADV and a team of trainers to develop a CCR (Coordinated Community Response) team in their community. The CCR team was created to improve services through community connections. Through this process, an Outreach position was created for the shelter program. This position provided a full-time advocate to go into the court system and meet with victims, where they were, rather than waiting for someone to call the crisis line. As the CCR team was established, Haven House realized that not everyone knew that off-site services and resources were available to domestic violence victims. As connections with other service providers strengthened through the CCR teams, other social service providers became aware of how Haven House could help domestic violence victims, even when they were not residing in a shelter.
The type of nonresidential services requested from Haven House varies depending on the service area. Some of the services requested are rental assistance, counseling, and transportation. Haven House has also assisted with relocation to a family member who may reside out of state. Victims also seek help with court processes such as filing charges, seeking protective orders, or simply general information or guidance. Haven House has partnered with the Beverly Prentiss Victim Empowerment program with the City of Vicksburg. This community partnership allows their outreach staff to meet with clients who are victims of domestic violence on site, at Municipal Court.
Being able to provide nonresidential services is beneficial because shelter is not every domestic violence victim’s immediate need. Being able to offer these services allows Haven House to expand their accessibility and does not limit their capacity to provide assistance to only those that come into the shelter. Additionally, offsite assistance such as childcare and outreach services are available to residents who exit the shelter.
Limited funding is an obstacle that has prevented Haven House form providing nonresidential services as frequently as they would like. It has specifically affected their ability to help with rent or utilities. Additional barriers Haven House advocates have faced are COVID restrictions. The restrictions limit them in being able to go outside their immediate area to meet face to face with clients.
Additional Links:
Haven House Family Shelter Website
To kick off Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February, MCADV hosted a virtual Teen Summit on January 29, 2022. Our theme this year was Operation Fearless: Confronting Dating Violence like a Superhero. MCADV’s Teen Advisory Council created and developed this idea, to encourage their peers to mirror the attributes of superheroes by making good decisions and taking a stand for what’s right. Entertainment was provided by Jackson State University’s J-SUEDE Dance Ensemble. Attendees also enjoyed live music from The High Frequency Band.
Executive Director of Community Empowerment Solutions, Carvana Cloud, served as our keynote speaker. Her in depth discussion about teen dating violence and finding power through pain was enlightening as well as inspiring. Teen Advisory Council member Di’Niya Baskins stated, “Ms. Cloud was captivating! I was glued to her. The sincerity in her presentation made me want to continue fighting for teen dating violence awareness in my school.”
LCDR Adrian Evans presented valuable information to our teens. He is a commissioned U.S. Navy officer and Medical Officer Recruiter. LCDR Evans discussed the importance of consent, personal space, and being confident in yourself. He encouraged participants to not allow others to mistreat them because of standards they set for themselves. Will Johnson, first year Teen Advisory Council member, shared his experience and thoughts, “The statistics shared resonated with me. One in four young ladies and one in ten young men experience dating violence while in high school. That means one player on my basketball team has or will experience dating violence and at least two young ladies on our Teen Advisory Council could be victims of dating violence as well. That is not okay!”
As the Teen Summit came to a close, our Call to Action was made by Yarit Rodriquez, a community activist and organizer. Yarit supports youth who are passionate about educating their communities on how to prevent violence. He challenged all attendees to use the information that was presented to examine their current relationships, make good decisions, and do what’s right to promote healthy relationships.
With over 100 attendees filling the Zoom platform and more viewers watching through MCADV’s Facebook Live feed, we were able to reach young adults across the state. This access allowed us to equip them with knowledge and resources to utilize in their schools and communities. MCADV also promoted Teen Dating Violence Awareness throughout the month of February, utilizing campaign statistics and graphics across billboards, social media, and radio airwaves.
“Ms. Cloud was captivating! I was glued to her. The sincerity in her presentation made me want to continue fighting for teen dating violence awareness in my school.” Di’Niya Baskins, Teen Advisory Council Member |
“The statistics shared resonated with me. One in four young ladies and one in ten young men experience dating violence while in high school. That means one player on my basketball team has or will experience dating violence and at least two young ladies on our Teen Advisory Council could be victims of dating violence as well. That is not okay!” William Johnson, Teen Advisory Council Member |
We are excited to share with you a new data collection system worth considering! MCADV has partnered with Element 74 in using Coalition Manager, and they recently worked with advocates to create a new data collection system, Vela, to meet the needs of local programs.
With Vela you are able to track hotline calls, services, activities, generate true one-click data reports for major funders, automatically generate your timesheet, and so much more. Vela has already been approved as a HUD comparable database by 1 CoC lead in Mississippi. One program has already decided to move forward with Vela and launched their program on 2/15/22. Element 74 has also offered group pricing for all MCADV Inside TRAC members. Vela is worth looking into if you’re considering adopting a new platform.
Click here to schedule a demo.
Click here to view more information.
Please connect with Stephanie Kapp at stephanie@element74.com with any questions!