Advocates Learn and Celebrate at FCASV Conference

FCASV held its 2010 Sexual Violence Conference at the beautiful Sarasota Hyatt Regency hotel in Sarasota June 9-11th, featuring a variety of workshop topics and introducing new speakers and approaches to inspire Florida’s anti-sexual violence movement. More than 200 people attended the event which was planned in collaboration with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence who sponsored a domestic violence track.

Perhaps the conference’s most talked about presentation was the opening keynote by Dorothy Edwards, PhD, “Green Dot Nation.” Her address was a refreshing take on bystander behavior that emphasized the importance of creating a cultural shift of sexual violence prevention through individual action.  Using the Green Dot approach, Dr. Edwards gave examples of how small but purposeful actions taken by bystanders can greatly impact the rate of victimization in our society.  Dr. Edward’s funny and poignant story engaged the participants and ended with a standing ovation from the audience.

In another conference highlight, Valerie DeVille presented the workshop “Non Verbal Trauma Work” which was celebrated for its practical applications and interactive approach. It taught participants how to conduct sessions with clients to stimulate the non verbal areas of the brain. Ms. DeVille explored art therapy, movement, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, mindfulness, body awareness and hypnosis. Non verbal methods included using silence purposefully, helping people imagine hope, and using symbols to empower.

Judith Barett, executive director of Ability First, the Center for Independent Living in Tallahassee, presented a workshop on creating welcoming environments for clients with disabilities.  She used experiential methods to give participants a taste of the daily reality for people who experience disabilities and the obstacles they often encounter when seeking services.   Participants took turns using a wheelchair to learn firsthand about the accessibility issues of bathrooms, doorways, and aisles. They placed pebbles in their shoes to feel what it is like to walk with chronic pain, as is common for people with multiple sclerosis. Ms. Barrett also set up a “brain box” where she placed a picture inside the box, and participants tried to trace the picture through a mirror’s reflection to help understand brain injury.  Students left with strategies for modifying their agencies to make services and the physical environment more accessible and inviting to people with disabilities.

Byron Hurt, who also gave the closing keynote address, presented the workshop “Game Changers: Can Men Shift the Momentum of Gender Violence Prevention?” The session was embraced for its energizing approach calling for a new paradigm where society perceives sexual violence as a problem that spans gender lines and does not relieve men of their responsibility to prevent sexual violence. He illuminated that it is men’s duty to come out of the shadows and reject men’s violence against women. 

At the awards luncheon, the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence saluted activists, legislators and advcocates whose work in the past year has advanced the work of Florida’s anti-sexual violence movement. Senator Dave Aronberg, Representative Rich Glorioso and Representative Chris Dorworth were presented with the Outstanding Legislator Award for championing legislation to improve the management of sex offenders and extend the statute of limitations in sexual battery cases.  Nancy Cotterman from the Broward County Sexual Assault Treatment Center won the Outstanding Advocate Award. Senator Arthenia Joyner won the Anne Gannon Warrior for Women Award for the second time in a row because of her relentlessness in attaining funding for rape crisis centers, even in these very tight budget years.  Lauren Book-Lim accepted the Survivor/Activist Award for her unprecedented 500 mile walk across the state of Florida to raise awareness about sexual assault and the healing work of rape crisis centers.  Michael Dolce was also awarded the Survivor/Activist Award award for his tireless fight to lift the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse.  He accepted the award on stage with his children, and there was not a dry eye in the room when he spoke of his children’s support of him and all of the time away from them he had to spend over the course of 6 years to pass the legislation.  He ended with a quote from his daughter Sarah, “Dad, if it helps kids, why wouldn’t you do it?”

The conference also provided space for participants to discuss issues of race, oppression and privilege as they affect rape crisis and domestic violence program staff members and the people they serve.  The Women of Color Caucus held its first organizational meeting coordinated by FCASV.  The group focused primarily on improving methods of outreach, treatment and prevention in communities of color. 

Also convening for the first time, the White Allies Caucus met to support the Women of Color Caucus, emphasizing the intertwined history of racism and sexual violence, acknowledging that racism exists and taking responsibility to work toward ending both personal and institutional racism. Participants used a “checklist for white allies against racism” to look at white privilege and evaluate the behavior of white people toward people of color. It highlighted a need for self awareness and collaboration in ending institutional racism. 

For more information about participating in the Women of Color Caucus, please contact Ebony Tucker at etucker@fcasv.org, and for information about the White Allies Caucus, please contact Terri Poore at tpoore@fcasv.org.

The 2010 conference offered participants an opportunity to go more in-depth into a variety of topics.  They networked, exchanged information and resources, and shared the common changes they experience in their work. Just as important, the conference offered participants an opportunity to celebrate together.