In this month's newsletter, we cover:

• Black History Month
• Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month
• February Dates to Remember
• February Teal Talk Podcast Episode
• We're Hiring!
• Membership Renewal
• 2023 Conference Recordings
• Engaging Men Training & Technical Assistance Request Form
• Upcoming Trainings, Events, & Meetings
• OAESV in the News
• Works in Progress
• Support Ohio Survivors
• OAESV Job Board
• Community Corner

February is Black History Month

February is a time to celebrate the fullness of Black history and culture, but that cannot be contained in one month alone. As advocates, we have a responsibility to push past performatively showing support for the sexual assault awareness movement without truly understanding the history and the values that this movement embodies. The history of the rape crisis movement in the United States is also a history of Black women navigating the intersection of race, gender, and class to fight for change. Black women have long spearheaded the movement against sexual assault, and their work should act as a guiding force for all advocacy work today.

"Black History Month is sometimes oversaturated with the tragic atrocities of what has happened to Black people in America, and while the effects are ever present, I also choose to anchor in the resilience of what my people have experienced and overcome. Shifting my energy to hold and celebrate Black joy – the ancestral spirit that has kept us and is characterized in our creativity of music, dance, and how we express love."

- Shandra Ingram, OAESV's Vice President of Operations

"Black History Month is a convention, a gathering, a family reunion, and a celebration of our rightful condition: living life, pursuing happiness, being free,

and conquering our individual and collective destinies. 

I am already confident that Black people are exemplary; this month is a blazing beacon for all others who doubt."

- Jayvon Howard, OAESV's Manager of Engaging Men Initiatives

Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

During this month, may we come together to end teen dating violence and ensure young people everywhere feel safe, protected, and empowered to live lives free from violence and full of dignity and respect. 🧡

This year we amplify love is respect's theme Love Like That, that calls on us all to create a world of positive actions to express and show healthy love in various ways.

To learn more, visit www.loveisrespect.org/get-involved/tdvam to download their TDVAM action guide, calendar of events, and social media guide.

February Dates to Remember

Events/Holidays

Wear Orange Day (Feb. 6)

Wear Orange Day is an annual effort every Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month to raise awareness about dating violence. Wear orange and share a selfie to raise awareness and show support that everyone deserves a healthy relationship, and a #LoveLikeThat!

Valentine's Day - Share a Survivor Love Letter (Feb. 14)

Join us this Valentine's Day and flood the internet with love for survivors of sexual assault using the hashtag #SurvivorLoveLetter. Consider making a reel of your staff, sharing messages of hope and support!

Presidents' Day - OAESV Offices Closed (Feb. 19)

National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (Feb. 26 - March 3)

The theme for NEDAW 2023 is C.A.R.E (Continue the Conversation. Act Early. Strengthen Recovery. End the Cycle). Many of the challenges survivors of sexual violence face put them at greater risk of developing an eating disorder. Learn more about the crossover here.

Religious/Cultural Observations

Religious Observance: Lailat al Miraj (Feb. 8)

Muslims remember Prophet Muhammad’s pilgrimage from Mecca to Jerusalem on this holy day. After his arrival, he ascended to Heaven.

Religious Observation: Chinese New Year (Feb. 10)

This is celebrated by giving red envelopes of money, honoring the dead by offering sacrifices to their ancestors, and having a reunion dinner with family.

Religious Observation: Korean New Year/Seollal (Feb. 10)

The holiday takes place over several days and is marked by the gathering of family members, performing Korean rituals, eating traditional foods, and playing traditional folk games.

Cultural Observance: Karen National Day (Feb. 11)

This day commemorates the demonstration when Karen people demanded their homeland back on February 11th, 1948.

Cultural Observance: Mardi Gras, le Carnaval (Feb. 13)

Translated to Fat Tuesday, and always the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, this is celebrated as the last day before Lent. People will also celebrate with picnics, parades, floats, and people dress up and wear masks.

Religious Observation: Ash Wednesday (Feb. 14)

This day marks the start of Lent, 40 days of fasting and prayer for Christians before Easter.

Religious Observance: Parinirvana (Feb. 15)

Known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, this day honors the death of Buddha and his attainment of final nirvana.

Cultural Observance: Chinese Lantern Festival (Feb. 24) This day marks the end of the Chinese New Year Festival. People traditionally eat rice balls and hang up colorful lanterns.

Religious Observance: Intercalary / Ayyam-i-ha (Feb. 26 - Feb. 29)

A period of time when Bahá'ís focus more than usual on hospitality, charity, giving gifts, and preparing for the month of fasting.

February Teal Talk Episode

Addressing Individual and Institutional Oppression Across Ohio with Taylr Ucker-Lauderman, Andrea Burton, and Ryn Farmer

At OAESV, we believe people deserve a voice. In this movement, the people most affected by inequity are often excluded from the very decision-making that determines their ability to make change. In episode 11 of Teal Talk, we sit down with the tri-chairs of the Anti-Oppression Committee to discuss what the AOC is, their short- and long-term goals, and how we can actively address individual and institutional oppression in Ohio.

We're Hiring!

We're growing and looking for a Senior Accountant who shares our commitment to comprehensive responses and rape crisis services for survivors. If you're passionate about empowering communities to prevent sexual violence and have experience managing finances in a non-profit setting, we encourage you to apply for this position. Learn more at www.oaesv.org/Employment.

Join Our Collective

Now is the time to join or renew your Individual, Affiliate or Rape Crisis Center membership with OAESV for 2024 member benefits and access to trainings, events, announcements, and more.

If you renew by February 15, 2024, even if you are an Individual or Affiliate Member and your annual renewal date has not yet occurred, you will receive additional OAESV branded gifts and a membership welcome package.

Learn about our membership tiers and how to renew by visiting our membership page.

2023 Conference Recordings

While you eagerly await our 2024 conference, you can catch what you missed in 2023! For just $75, you can snag access to almost all of the conference's sessions. Plus, you'll even get a certificate for continuing education! Don't let this opportunity pass you by to continue your professional development.

Engaging Men Training & Technical Assistance Request Form

OAESV's Engaging Men initiative offers training and technical assistance (TTA), support, and professional development opportunities throughout the state of Ohio on sexual violence. Now, requesting trainings and technical assistance is easier than ever!

Click here or visit oaesv.org/EngagingMenTTA to request training, share your TA needs, submit questions for Engaging Men Q&A, and access our engaging men resource.

We provide training and support on the topics of: engaging men and boys who experience sexual assault and sexual trauma; providing best practice sexual assault and abuse services to men; masculinity and violence; men's health; engaging men and youth in violence prevention; systems of power and control; and other related topics. 

We can provide one-on-one support with advocates and members as they support survivors, crisis centers, and community-based organizations. All trainings and other TA can be provided either in-person or virtual and/or teleconferencing upon request.

OAESV's 12th Annual Advocacy Day

Register today for OAESV's 12th Annual Advocacy Day!

This is an amazing opportunity to build community, take action, and communicate directly with lawmakers to elevate the voices of survivors and sexual violence prevention efforts in Ohio!

Register, order your Advocacy Day shirt, and learn more at oaesv.org/advocacyday

Mark Your Calendars!

2024 Training & Event Calendar

Thank you so much to everyone who attended one of our trainings/ events in 2023.

In our effort to build a strong, coordinated response in the anti-violence movement, OAESV has reviewed your feedback from those events and designed intentional programming for 2024!

Collective Calls

*members only*

Collective Calls is one of our newer initiatives here at OAESV. With a rotating focus each month, these monthly meetings will feature in-service trainings, program spotlights, and spaces to connect with those who do similar work across the state of Ohio.

If you've previously attended one of our "Thirsty Thursday", "Advocate Roundtable", or "Prevention Pop-in" spaces, we hope to see you at CC!

Legal Clinic Virtual Office Hours

The OAESV Legal Clinic hosts virtual office hours for survivors and advocates. This is a safe space to connect with an attorney for resources or a brief consultation.

Monthly clinic hours are:

• the 2nd Thursday of the month from 12pm to 2pm
• the 4th Tuesday of the month from 4pm to 6pm

Call or text 216-282-1559 to connect. 

Quarterly RPE Workgroup 

These quarterly spaces are specifically for programs that receive RPE (Rape Prevention Education) funds to navigate grant objectives and deliverables, troubleshoot potential challenges, and build community.

The first workgroup is on Feb. 26.

Works in Progress

This section in our newsletter is a more proactive way to share what technical assistance items and projects OAESV is working on to support local program efforts!

• Our Season Training Series is currently hibernating for the winter, but we’re hoping to awaken in Spring with a 3-Part series on Harm Reduction Principals and RCC Services. More info coming soon!

OAESV in the News

In rural Ohio, stalking incidents remain underreported

January is Stalking Awareness Month and advocates said cases of unwanted or repeated surveillance or contact, often alongside intimidation and harassment often go underreported, especially in Ohio's rural counties.

Support Ohio Survivors

Giving back sure does feel good. ❤️ Join us in doing all of the above and more at oaesv.org/donate. Thanks to your amazing support, we can keep showing up for survivors every single day.

OAESV's Job Board

Are you or someone you know looking for employment? There are many open positions at rape crisis centers, sexual violence coalitions, and other allied organizations in Ohio and beyond! Please visit oaesv.org/employment and share with your networks.

To post a job opportunity, please email Laurie Hamame, lhamame@oaesv.org

Community Corner

Want to add a message to our newsletter? Please email Laurie Hamame at Lhamame@oaesv.org at least 7 days prior to the first of the month with the details of your message request. Examples include event invitations and calls for proposals.

Mock Trial for Law Enforcement and Forensic Nurses Testifying in Sexual Violence Case

The Forensic Nursing Network is excited to share this opportunity with you.

Click the image to download the full-size PDF.

Space is limited. Learn more and register here.

This project was supported by Grant No. 15JOVW-22-GG-00917-MUMU 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.