In this month's newsletter we're covering:
- Native American Heritage Month
- November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
- Honoring the Mirabal Sisters
- Upcoming Trainings, Events, & Meetings (including our 40-hour advocate institute!)
- Join the OAESV Team
- Sign Up for the Monthly Legislative Newsletter
- OAESV in the News
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November is Native American Heritage Month |
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This month provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the rich ancestry and traditions of Native American and Alaskan Natives and to better understand the history of Indigenous people in our area.
At OAESV, we also believe that it is important to call attention to an issue that impacts far too many Native American communities to this day: domestic and sexual violence.
A 2016 study by the U.S. Department of Justice shows that of over 2,000 women surveyed, 84% of Native American and Alaskan Native women have experienced violence, 56% have experienced sexual violence, and, of that second group, over 90% have experienced violence at the hands of a non-tribal member. Due to silencing, underrepresentation, shame, stigma, and underreporting, these numbers still underestimate the number of Native persons affected by violence.
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Because tribal members are citizens of three sovereigns - their tribe, the state in which they live, and the United States, Native American victims of violence often face a maze of legal barriers when reporting crimes committed by non-Native perpetrators.
Here are some ways to be an ally for tribal nations this month and beyond:
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November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women |
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November 25 pays homage to the Mirabal sisters - women who set a precedent for being outspoken and fighting against oppression of the state. Their murders galvanized the people of the Dominican Republic and inspired them to finally put an end to Trujillo’s oppressive rule in 1961.
In 1981, the First Latin American and Caribbean Feminist Meeting was held in Colombia, where the 25th of November was marked as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, recalling the 1960's murder of the Mirabal sisters. The sisters Patria, María Teresa, and Minerva fought against the tyrannical dictatorship of Rafael Leónidas Trujillo.
It is crucial that we continue their fight to end violence against women and to end all power-based violence.
Image from Vibe. Click to learn more.
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Register Today for Our Fall Training Institute |
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The Training Institute is intended to provide introductory skills and knowledge to sexual violence advocates who have been working in the field for two years or less, or are new to Ohio laws/procedures.
Staff members from Ohio sexual violence programs/rape crisis centers, sexual assault advocates working on college campuses, or advocates who have not yet completed the required 40 hours of training are welcome.
This 40-hour training consists of two 20-hour components. This fall, the 20-hour live virtual component will take place November 15-19, and the second 20-hour component will be held online, self-paced, following completion of the live 20 hours. This training is scheduled to be offered again in the spring of 2022.
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Sarah Ferrato
she/her/they/them
Sexual Violence Prevention & Public Health Initiatives Coordinator
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Sarah Ferrato (she/they) is a community advocate with a focus in pleasure-centered education, direct support, and increased resource access for underserved communities throughout Ohio.
Her work has previously included comprehensive sexual health education and outreach, peer education, sexual violence prevention research and education, and gender equity advocacy throughout the greater Cleveland community with Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Case Western Reserve University respectively. Their anti-violence philosophy is grounded in community empowerment frameworks supported by ongoing mutual aid engagement throughout Cleveland.
Sarah holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History with a focus in Women’s Studies from Kent State University and a certificate in Adolescent Sex Education Basics from Rutgers University. In her time outside of OAESV, she enjoys baking, hiking, and spending time with her partner and their cat family.
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Nicole Kass Colvin
she/her
Coordinator of Community Responses
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Nicole Kass Colvin
(she/her/hers) began in the anti-violence field in 2015 and has experience as a prevention specialist, legal advocate, agency SART coordinator, and in development and leadership of a rape crisis center.
Nicole has had the opportunity to be a part of a strong, established SART; assist in creating and being a part of new SARTs; and creating partnerships and support networks in areas without SARTs to promote the comprehensive healing and justice for survivors of sexual violence. Nicole loves creating connections, empowering individuals and teams, leaning into the unique needs and strengths of each community, and uplifting survivor voices - especially those pushed to the margins.
Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Valparaiso University. In her free time, Nicole loves to collect different experiences, whether it’s through reading, the outdoors, getting involved in the greater Cincinnati community, enjoying the arts, or spoiling her chihuahua-pug rescue, Rizzo.
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Laurie Hamame
she/her
Communications & Content Specialist
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Laurie Hamame (she/her) officially joined OAESV in October 2021, after loving her work as a Resource & Communications intern for a year and a half.
She has always possessed an affinity for storytelling, but never considered wielding the power of words to establish empathy and change in a community until working her first job as a news reporter. She then felt impelled to pursue a Master of Public Health to merge communication and her passion for advocacy to transform the future of mental health and body-based trauma healing.
Laurie lives in Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoys photographing weddings, reading voraciously, and going for long runs on the weekends. She also occasionally volunteers as a Crisis Counselor with the Crisis Text Line.
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You Could Join the OAESV Team Too! |
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OAESV currently has three open positions. Please click the position title to see the full description and qualification requirements:
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Are you registered for our Monthly Legislative Newsletter? Get on the list here to receive critical public policy updates focused on Ohio and sexual violence.
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Upcoming Trainings, Events, & Meetings |
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Here's what's going on in November:
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First Friday Legislative Update
Join us for a legislative update on November 5 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Read more
oaesv.org
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Putting Conversations into Practice
Series Description Join peers within anti-violence fields across Ohio in the Putting Conversation Into Practice series as we work together to learn about and practice anti-racism. While we recognize white communities have the most work to do, all ...
Read more
oaesv.coalitionmanager.org
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Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence | Thirsty Thursday: ...
An event every month that begins at 10:00 am on day Third of the month, happening 12 times Please join us the third Thursday of each month as we explore challenges unique to SART Coordinators and raise our...
Read more
oaesv.org
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Thanks for reading! Feel free to forward to a friend. |
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This project was supported by Grant No. OAESV 2019-SW-AX-0020 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice , to the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice.
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