April is SAAM
Denim Day is next week: join us next Wednesday, April 27!
Now is the time to mobilize! Denim Day 2022's theme emphasizes the relevance of one of the original campaign messages: there is STILL no excuse and never an invitation to rape. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament came to work wearing jeans in solidarity with the victim. Patti Giggans and Peace Over Violence developed the Denim Day campaign in response to this case and the activism surrounding it. Since then, what started as a local campaign to bring awareness to victim blaming and destructive myths that surround sexual violence has grown into a movement. As the longest running sexual violence prevention and education campaign in history, Denim Day asks community members, elected officials, businesses, students, and people everywhere to make a social statement with their fashion statement by wearing jeans on this day as a visible means of protest against the misconceptions that surround sexual violence.
Join us next Wednesday, 4/27, when millions of individuals across the world will wear jeans with a purpose, support survivors, and educate themselves and others about all forms of sexual violence!
Gather in Los Angeles
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Last Chance for Denim Day Merch
Order by TOMORROW 4/20 to get your materials in time for Denim Day! Items are selling out so be sure to check it out and gear up for Denim Day now!
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Counselor Advocate Graduation
At the end of last month, 30 new advocates graduated from our Winter 2022 training. All of this training was conducted virtually with the exception of the final two days of training, where we had an in-person option for the first time since the start of COVID. Trainees received an 82.75-hour training on various topics ranging from Crisis Intervention, Sexual Assault 101, Domestic Violence 101, underserved populations including LGBTQIA+, Elder & Differently Abled Folks, Military survivors and more. They received in-depth training on how to provide supportive services to survivors, as well as roleplay practice that allowed them to have hands-on experience in dealing with callers or in-person interactions once they begin their 1-year commitments to POV’s 24 hour Hotline, Emergency Response, DART Programs and Internships in the Clinical Departments.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Peace Over Violence, and without them we could not continue to offer so many of these free and comprehensive services to the community 24/7. This is volunteer appreciation week and we are filled with gratitude for all of our past and current volunteers who continue to dedicate countless hours of service.
There is a new counselor advocate starting next month - for more information or with questions about the program, contact [email protected].
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POV’s People: Where are they now?
Throughout this year, we will be highlighting individuals or groups that have impacted our work over the last 50 years.
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Jennifer Luck
Former POV Staff and Denim Day Coordinator
I started working at POV - it was still called Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women at the time - in my early twenties and was hired as the Development Associate. During my time at POV I worked on fundraising campaigns, helped organize the first Humanitarian Awards event and Denim Day L.A.! I was present for the name change process and transition to Peace Over Violence.
I hold dearly my memories from those years and cherish the relationships that were created. After my time at POV I moved to Hawaii, focusing my time and energy on conservation work. I served as Executive Director of the Kauai Public Land Trust, Kauai Director of the Hawaii Land Trust and now serve as Chief Operating Officer at Common Ground - an impact focused start-up working on building regenerative food systems. I received my Masters in Business Education from the University of Southern California in September, 2021 and currently sit on the board of the Hawaii Land Trust, Kipuka Kuleana and Namahana Charter School. My work continues to be led by purpose, a seed that was planted during my time at POV.
These many years later it brings me such joy to see the reach and influence of POV continue to grow - Denim Day is now international and reaches the shores of Hawaii and beyond. As the mother of two young girls, the importance of POV's work has taken on new meaning, lessons learned from my time there inform how my husband and I are raising our girls and how we speak to them about issues like interpersonal violence. 50 years since it's founding POV's work continues to change lives, as it did mine, to inform how we talk about sexual and domestic violence and to empower and inspire generations of women and girls.
"My time at POV was deeply transformative, working alongside the incredible women and men that dedicate their lives to creating a world free of domestic violence and sexual assault, learning from the amazing Patti Giggans, Cathy Friedman, Leah Aldridge, Sandra Henriquez and so many others showed me the power and impact that's possible when you have a team that is deeply committed and unwilling to accept anything less than lasting, transformative change."
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Fundraising Highlight: UMich for Anna
A few months ago, we received communications from a group, UMich for Anna, raising money for POV in honor of their friend who lost her life to domestic violence.
We (12 women) who graduated together from the University of Michigan, were in search of a local Los Angeles based organization to raise funds to honor the life of our dear friend, Anna Koosmann, who was a victim of domestic violence.
It was important to us that the organization we selected be one where we could make a difference and that would provide transparency to ensure that the funds would be used to directly support other victims of domestic violence. We found Peace Over Violence and learned about the mission, values, history, actions, and initiatives to create change.
With the help of over 140 generous friends and family members, we are nearly to our goal of $20,000 raised in Anna’s memory. We are proud that these funds will go directly to counseling services for survivors of domestic violence.
We lost Anna on February 7, 2022. Anna loved her friends, she loved adventure, a great meal, a dance party, being silly and spontaneous. Anna was warm, giving, smart, luminous, quirky, and complicated.
We loved Anna. We loved her spirit and her fun-loving energy. We are holding on tight to all the memories together. Anna’s light will shine forever as she creates positive change for others now and in the future.
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Summer 2022: Spread the Word
The Youth Over Violence Leadership Institute is for youth who are committed to building and making powerful social change through awareness, advocacy and violence prevention strategies. The six-week program empowers youth between the ages of 14-19 by educating them on healthy relationships, promoting awareness of teen dating violence, and enhancing community organizing skills. After the summer, students will go back to school as leaders of campus-based violence prevention clubs, and become mentors to other students, identifying and cultivating the next generation of leaders. The Institute utilizes a combination of educational sessions, trauma-informed activities, field trips and internship projects.
WHEN
First day of the institute is Tuesday, June 28th
Graduation Saturday, August 6th
APPLY
bit.ly/YOV2022
Applications Open up Monday, May 6
Deadline to submit the application Friday, June 10
Questions? Feel free to reach out to Karen at [email protected]
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By Robin Abcarian
On Friday, on the eighth floor of Los Angeles Superior Court’s Airport Courthouse, it was Cathie’s turn to explain how the assault has changed her life. Her victim impact statement was a crushing testament to the cascading damage that flows from one act of sexual violence.
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By Gale Holland
Good morning and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. This is Gale Holland, homelessness and poverty reporter for the Los Angeles Times, filling in for the esteemed Justin Ray, from my bedroom office overlooking Echo Park canyon.
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By Ellen Barry
New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on adolescents’ mental health during the coronavirus pandemic suggests that for many teenagers who were ordered to stay at home, home was not always a safe place.
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POV is hiring!
Looking to join the team at Peace Over Violence? Apply today!
Open Positions:
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Support healing services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
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CONTACT
Metro Headquarters
1541 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 300
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213.955.9090 office
213.955.9093 fax
213.785.2684 video
213.785.2749 video
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West San Gabriel Valley Center
892 N Fair Oaks Ave, Suite D
Pasadena, CA 91103
626.584.6191 office
626.584.6193 fax
626.243.7972 video
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