Women of Color Roundtable

On September 22-23, the National Sexual Assault Resource Sharing Project (RSP) hosted a conference for women of color working in the field of sexual assault treatment and prevention.  The RSP, led by the Iowa and North Carolina Coalitions Against Sexual Assault and the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, hosted the annual conference for the purpose of providing methods to improve outreach, treatment and prevention in communities of color.  Over 50 program directors and coordinators, advocates and attorneys attended the two-day event in Memphis, TN.  Sessions included facilitator led discussions on the effects of sexual assault in various ethnic communities as well as the effect of media and popular culture on sexual assault issues facing communities of color.  On both days of the conference, lunchtime networking sessions with women of color advocates focused on the prevalence of rape in prisons and outreach solutions when dealing with rural communities. 

Participants were given the opportunity to voice their opinions on ways to curb sexual violence in communities of color.  Some included providing more education for all advocates regarding cultural and religious norms to allow for more effective communication with underrepresented groups; outreach to increase the number of minority women who utilize sexual and domestic violence programs; and holding rap and song writing contests for teens and young adults to encourage positive music appreciation at an early age. 

The conference was facilitated by Tracy Wright, North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and RSP Technical Assistance Provider, who gave the opening and closing remarks.  Along with Ms. Wright, both Monika Johnson Hostler of the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Luz Marquez from National Organization of Sisters of Color Ending Sexual Assault facilitated presentations that successfully encouraged open dialogue.  FCASV was represented at the roundtable by Operations Manager Renee Cox and Legal Assistance to Victims Project Director Ebony Tucker.