Here we are in the whirlwind of the holiday season!
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Thanksgiving has happened and we are heading into all the varied and beautiful celebrations that coincide as one calendar year transitions into the next. In its most wonderful moments this is a time rich with connection and meaning. We are also keenly aware that this can be a painful time that brings both immediate crisis and past trauma to a head. Thank you for being there for victim-survivors in this season especially when the world all around us seems to be saying that everything should be beauty and peace.
I saw a meme recently about courage that is especially true in advocacy work. The top half of the graphic is titled “What we think courage should look like” and has various pictures of geometric heros saving the day. One is charging in on a stallion, another is flying through the air, and one is putting out flames with an extinguisher. All of these figures are strong, brave, determined, and focused. They are achieving things – they are just missing capes. The bottom half of the graphic is titled “What courage often looks like” and includes the same geometric figures in quieter poses with statements including “I’m shy but I’m going to share my thoughts.” Many of the statements begin with “I feel . . . . but.” As in “I feel depressed, but I’m going to,” and “I feel powerless but I can.” I think this dichotomy is so often where advocates find themselves. The idea was we would come in wearing our cape and crush injustice, restoring the victimized to a position of dignity. The idea was we would be strong and sure and mighty. The reality is it can be difficult, tiring and dispiriting to show up every day. The reality is that we all have daily lives and trauma histories that complicate how we come to this work. But doing the work is courageous. Showing up when we are tired, shy, and powerless is so incredibly powerful. Walking with victim-survivors who are simultaneously experiencing all these insecurities and more makes a bigger impact than flying in and instantly making everything perfect. The courage is in the mess and in finding the path in the midst of the mess.
In this issue we look back on the wonderful opportunities we had to be together in community this fall. NCEDSV was excited to host so many of you at the first in-person annual conference since 2019. The turnout reminded us what an important part community support plays in our self-care and ability to keep doing this work. Thank you to everyone who came, shared and learned with us over these three days. No sooner had the conference ended than it was October and we were in full swing of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). NCEDSV focused on safety planning this year hosting a series of trainings and attending as many community events as possible. I speak for our entire team in saying that it was wonderful to see all the ways you lifted up domestic violence advocacy and survivors in your communities.
Like all of you, we are looking ahead with anticipation to 2024. Our training team is currently working with culturally specific partners to develop trainings to meet service gaps currently experienced by victim-survivors in the Black, AAPI / South Asian and Deaf communities. The Supreme Court will be making a ruling on Rahimi v. United States this summer. Please take time to read more about what is at stake in this important case. Inside the coalition we have exciting new developments in communications and fundraising.
I celebrate each of you and your commitment to interrupting and ending interpersonal violence in Nevada’s families and communities. Thank you for everything you have brought to this movement in 2023. I look forward to partnering together as we make strides to ensuring Nevada is safer in 2024.
May you be happy,
May you be healthy,
May you be safe,
May you be strong,
Elizabeth Abdur-Raheem
Executive Director
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The Visionary Voice Awards are coming up in April. In conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, The National Sexual Violence Resource Center recognizes the dedication and compassion of individuals who have stood out in their outstanding work to end sexual violence. State, territory, and tribal coalitions nominate an individual each year.
Eligibility Guidelines
- Nominees that have received this award in the past will not be considered.
- NSVRC reserves the right to edit the biographies for publication.
- Incomplete entries will not be considered.
In the below link, you can scroll to previous years and select Nevada to see individuals we have honored with this award in the past.
Visionary Voice Awards | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
To nominate someone for this award, please complete the linked form below by December 27, 2023, to allow time for NCEDSV staff to review nominations and vote on the 2024 recipient.
Click the link below to nominate an outstanding advocate:
Visionary Voice Award Nomination Form (google.com)
Any questions, please contact Lorena Canales at lorenac@ncedsv.org or Elizabeth Abdur-Raheem at elizabeth@ncedsv.org.
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Human Trafficking Awareness Month | |
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Since 2010, January has been recognized as National Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This month is an opportunity to highlight the need for education on trafficking, challenge common misconceptions, and reflect on the biases that show through our work. It’s important to familiarize ourselves with the resources available to victim-survivors and advocates. Organizations like The Cupcake Girls work tirelessly to eradicate human trafficking by creating safe spaces for victim-survivors and advocating for social equity.
In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, NCEDSV’s Communications Coordinator, Naomi Thompson, interviewed Amy-Marie Merrell, the Co-Director of The Cupcake Girls. Amy has worked with victim-survivors of domestic violence since 2006 and relocated to Las Vegas from Portland in 2011. She defines sex trafficking as: when someone is forced, manipulated, or coerced into sex work.
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FY24 FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS
On November 17th, President Biden signed a continuing resolution (CR). This CR is the first of its kind and has staggered funding dates for specific programs. Agriculture, Energy & Water, Military Construction/Veterans' Affairs, and Transportation & Housing and Urban Development are funded until January 19, 2024, and the remaining eight bills: Commerce, Justice, Science, Labor Health and Human Services and Education, State & Foreign Operations, Financial Services, Legislative Affairs, Homeland Security, Interior; and Defense until February 2, 2024. While Congress is on holiday break, Senators and Representatives will continue negotiations surrounding funding levels upon their routine.
While no budgets have been finalized, a potential 40% funding decrease for the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) has been suggested and looms for service providers and advocacy agencies nationwide. NCEDSV and our national partners are using this time of negotiations to advocate and educate on the critical need for level funding VOCA.
NCEDSV will provide updates on FY24 funding once Congress returns from break.
THE HOMICIDE REPORT IS COMING BACK
NCEDSV is bringing back the homicide report. In previous years, the homicide report would detail the incidents and name those who lost their lives. We found this approach to be insensitive to the victims and their families and not in the nature of being trauma-informed or victim-centered. The new homicide report format will focus on highlighting key data points to showcase the prevalence of domestic violence deaths across Nevada for each calendar year.
Keep an eye out for the 2023 Homicide Report, which will be released in February 2024. More details to come!
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Today, the laws in place meant to protect victim-survivors from gun violence at the hands of their abusers are in jeopardy. The Supreme Court of The United States is in the process of deciding the case of US v. Rahimi, which will determine whether it is unconstitutional for a person to be banned from possessing a firearm if they have a standing domestic violence restraining order against them. If it is deemed a violation of Second Amendment rights, we would be keeping guns in the hands of abusers, decreasing the sought-out safety that protective orders offer victim-survivors in their safety-planning. | |
Equitable Rules in Shelter | |
Rules provide structure, guiding us on how to live within society. They are meant to act as a gravitational force to keep things spinning and orbiting the way they need to. In a communal space, rules can ensure responsibilities are equally divided, making it easier for the community within the space to function well. However, excessive rules in shelter can lead to the re-traumatization of victim-survivors. In “How the Earth Didn’t Fly Into the Sun,” the Missouri Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence explores the connection between power-based violence and how shelters look at and enforce rules. | |
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October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year, NCEDSV’s training department offered informative, engaging training on safety planning across various communities. Below are general safety planning tips for advocates to keep in mind:
- Focus on the needs as they come – start with triage before moving into short-term and long-term needs.
- Prioritize listening over speaking and asking over telling. Always ask before offering advice.
- Empower the survivor to make their own choices throughout the entire process – advocates act as a guide, but shouldn’t make any choices on the survivor’s behalf.
- Always practice informed consent – make sure the survivor understands what they are being asked to do, and give them the choice to continue or not.
- Remember that safety planning is not a one-size-fits-all. They can (and should) change as the situation changes. There is no such thing as a perfect safety plan.
Recordings of the safety planning trainings can be found here.
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Looking Back: Radical Resilience
In September, the NCEDSV hosted our annual conference at The Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, NV. This year’s theme was Radical Resilience: Beyond the “Self” in Care. Advocates from all over Nevada sold out the conference and gathered in person to explore the foundations of community care. The conference plenaries: Angie Taylor, Bianca D. McCall, and Briana Vallejo did an incredible job reminding attendees that survivors thrive when communities work together.
We would like to once again congratulate the following honorees who were celebrated during the Annual Award Ceremony:
Lisa Lee
Executive Director of Advocates to End Domestic Violence
2023 HEART Award Recipient
Rachelle Pellissier
Executive Director of Crisis Support Services Nevada.
2023 Visionary Voice Award Recipient
This year’s Annual Conference was a great time for advocates to meet and share in community. We can’t wait to show you all what’s in store for next year!
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LORENA CANALES
Lorena has served as our Administrative Assistant since January 2021. This November, she became our Fundraising and Events Coordinator. She will be instrumental in expanding our fundraising efforts!
MISTY STEWART
Misty has shared her expertise through a number of roles within NCEDSV since February 2020. This November, Misty transitioned to Grant Coordinator.
CHRIS TAFF
Chris joined us as our new Administrative Specialist in December.
NAOMI THOMPSON
Naomi joined us as our new Communications Coordinator in September.
NICOLE WINCKELMANN
Nicole was an intern for the policy department last year. She re-joined the Coalition as our Policy Specialist in October.
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