A Message from our Executive Director/CEO
“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” — Charles Dickens
This opening paragraph of A Tale of Two Cities refers to a time of controversy and contradictions, conflict and divisions, at the time of the French revolution. This famous quote often comes to mind when society is in the throes of transformation often led by upheaval and turmoil, uncertainty and fear. Just like now.
There is so much going on. Ukraine, Omicron, market declines, economic uncertainty, the impending loss of reproductive rights and choice, the intentional fomenting of racial hatred and divisions and now Buffalo. Another mass shooting based in hatred and supremacy like Orlando, Charleston and Pittsburgh. There have been 198 mass shootings defined as 4 or more people killed since January. The proliferation of assault weapons makes it so easy to kill. Easy to spray bullets into the most common and mundane spaces: supermarkets, churches, temples, entertainment venues.
There are no words to console the family of the victims, but yet we try. At the same time as a society we seem paralyzed to think about taking action that could turn the tide of the unending gun violence, racial injustice and social divides. The divisions and incendiary ideas and speech continue to add to an environment of division that divides into “us and them.” The very idea of the United States seems to be unraveling.
Maybe all we can do right now is acknowledge how much there is to carry. That each of us is affected whether we pay attention to how heavy the load is or not. We carry it. It is important to acknowledge the pain and suffering and bear witness. The phrase “It’s a lot” says a lot. At Peace Over Violence, our staff and volunteers and interns bear witness to the suffering from intimate violence and the trauma it inflicts every day. And when appropriate they take actions through listening, mentoring, coaching, counseling and advocating. And sometimes, just sitting with the silence that comes from there being no words.
With all that’s going on in the world, nearby and far away, maybe the best we can do right now is acknowledge that we are all affected by local events as well as the national and international.
The anthropologist Margaret Mead predicted that with the invention of television we would enter an age of anxiety because we would know about what happened across the globe far from our own neighborhoods as the age of information took hold. Our challenge of course is what to do with this anxiety. We can bear witness but at some point we need to take action. And perhaps that’s where Dickens' “best of times” will come in. Perhaps that’s the “age of wisdom” that will arise.
If only. In the meantime, take good care.
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Denim Day 2022: A Success!
Thank you to everyone who participated in Denim Day 2022 last month, making this year’s campaign a success! With your participation and support, we were able to reach millions of individuals all over the world, increasing our reach and impact. In our 23rd year, the campaign continues to spread messages of violence prevention and activism, and to educate on issues surrounding all forms of sexual violence. This year, we went back to the roots of the campaign and some of our original messaging with the theme: there is STILL no excuse and never an invitation to rape. This message remains relevant - and critical - today. We are so inspired by all of the testimonies, stories, photos and reports of Denim Days all over the world. Denim Day is a movement that continues to get stronger and gain momentum.
Together we are working toward a world without violence.
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Program Highlight: Self Defense
Empowerment Self Defense and Kids Self Defense Classes are back in person! Last month we hosted several classes for the community at our new Metro office in downtown Los Angeles. These classes help individuals develop easy-to-use techniques such as awareness, assertiveness, and verbal confrontation skills in combination with safety strategies and physical techniques to prevent, resist, and escape violent assaults. Check out some pictures from the classes and stay tuned for upcoming classes for the public.
To request a training and for more information, click here!
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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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Kibi Anderson
Former POV Staff member and Current Advisory Board member
From Kibi: I met the former Director of the Prevention team at POV, Leah Aldridge, via a connection from her mother. I was an independent film producer and POV was launching their digital storytelling curriculum and they were looking for a consultant to help train the students on storytelling and I was a good fit. I worked on that program and produced the first ever POV "Sorting it Out" Youth Film Festival in partnership with USC as a culmination of that program. Patti Giggans was impressed with my work and asked me...what else can you do? And the rest is history. I came on board as the head of Communications and Community Outreach and produced one of the first large in-person Denim Day in LA events with students downtown. I also participated in the rebranding and launch of the name change from the Los Angeles Commission on Assaults Against Women to Peace Over Violence and produced the annual fundraising dinner where the new brand was rolled out. I'm now back living in Los Angeles and the CEO & Co-Founder of a tech enabled start-up called Wordsmyth where companies can discover, source and hire Black + Diverse freelance writers for marketing & communications needs, and an executive coach through my boutique coaching firm called Life Editor.
"My work for POV was transformational. It taught me that no matter how overwhelming or unsolvable a problem like ending domestic violence may seem, don't ever lose sight of the powerful impact you can have at the individual level. A simple phone call, word of encouragement, fist in the air, and $20 donation can change an individual survivor's life, and that's the point of it all."
— Kibi Anderson
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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
Tuesday, June 28th - Saturday, August 6th
APPLY
bit.ly/YOV2022
Accepting applications starting 5/6 through 6/10
Interested or have questions? Contact [email protected].
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By Saeed Ahmed
The 10 people killed, and an additional three injured, make this weekend's racially motivated attack at a Buffalo, N.Y., supermarket the deadliest mass shooting of the year in the United States.
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By Brittney Cooper
The even harder truth: White racial violence is our nation’s default position.
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By Jennifer Haberkorn
Just as states may be on the verge of regaining expansive authority to outlaw abortion, eliminating rape and incest exceptions has moved from the fringe to the center of the antiabortion movement.
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By Jessica Klein
After a breakup, litigation is often a way for harassers to force their victims to keep seeing them.
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By Anna Brand
NBC News asked their readers: How has getting an abortion — or deciding not to — changed your life? Here’s what they said.
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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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