Valiant Voices

Reproductive rights discussions must include the context of gender-based violence and reproductive oppression. Reproductive health and gender-based violence are inextricably linked, including sexual and domestic violence, access to education on sexuality, impunity for abusers, practices of stealthing, child marriage, female genital mutilation, and being harmed or injured in childbirth. Hear from our panelists about the connections of gender-based violence and control of women’s bodies within a global context, and what needs to change for survivors to achieve justice and reproductive rights to flourish. Join us for this conversation about how we can change the narrative.

The root causes of intimate partner violence are often misunderstood because gender bias and social acceptance of violence adds to the complexities. In this conversation about the Power & Control Wheel, advocates, survivors, and upstanders will gain critical insight into how domestic violence is reinforced by systems and social norms. Ulester Douglas, former director of Men Stopping Violence, Scott Miller, advocate and co-director coordinator at Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, Lori Stavnes, Pathways to Family Peace Facilitator, and Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women and facilitator of Pathways to Family Peace, will discuss this critical tool in identifying common patterns of abusive behavior, and how to change it.

Recorded live on Zoom (October 19, 2022)

Programs addressing men’s abusive behavior need to include reflection and accountability that confronts harmful gender norms and learned behaviors reinforcing male entitlement and privilege. Ulester Douglas, former director of Men Stopping Violence, Scott Miller, advocate and coordinator at Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, and Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women and men’s group facilitator of Pathways to Family Peace, will share critical insight into how men’s behavior change programs can be effective, and what centering survivor needs in this process looks like to prioritize women’s safety.  Part I: Can He Change? is not a prerequisite to this ongoing conversation. If you missed it, you can listen to it here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/318bScwwjLEBW59gARmgDT?si=1ea7b3096cc44158

This was recorded over Zoom on June 9th, 2022.

Sexual violence remains an all too common experience for students on college campuses. In fact, 1 in 4 women will experience sexual violence before they graduate. Our panel, including students, activists, a professor, and sexual assault expert moderator, will unpack the ways in which campus judicial processes function, and the reasons why they rarely produce justice for victim/survivors. You’ll gain insight into the ways in which student activism can shift campus responses and identify ways you can support students, their parents, and alumni in making a difference in creating campus climates that are safe for all students, regardless of gender or gender identity, sexuality, and race.

Let’s take the conversation about ending gender-based violence to the press. Mainstream reporting on gender-based violence often lacks nuance, understanding, and context, reinforcing racial and gender stereotypes that harm survivors and their communities. Moderator Lydia Moran, associate editor at Minnesota Women’s Press, will be joined by independent journalists Marianne Combs and Georgia Fort and Minnesota State Representative Heather Keeler. Guests will share how trauma-informed reporting on gender-based violence can encourage social change, empower survivors, and instigate offender accountability. Hear how you can spot and counteract myths and outdated attitudes about gender-based violence in the media.   

This was recorded live over Zoom on April 5th, 2022

Can an abusive partner change? Programs addressing abusive behavior need to include reflection and accountability that confronts harmful gender norms and learned behaviors reinforcing male entitlement and privilege. With Ulester Douglas, Deputy Director of Men Stopping Violence, Scott Miller, advocate and coordinator at Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs, and Melissa Scaia, Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women and men’s group facilitator of Pathways to Family Peace, you’ll gain critical insight into men’s behavior change, and how centering survivor needs in this process is paramount to women’s safety.

Recorded live via Zoom on February 3rd, 2022

Violence against women and girls is the most prevalent form of violence globally, yet it is widely underreported to the police because reporting and testifying in court is difficult and traumatizing. Survivors are often subject to judgement about their choices, and questioned about their credibility as victims of a crime. Melissa Scaia, expert witness in gender based violence cases and Director of International Training for Global Rights for Women, Alessandra Gribaldo, author of Unexpected Subjects, and Allison Murray, educator and domestic violence survivor, will share their experiences in courts, the barriers to justice, and how respect and safety can be prioritized for survivors of gender-based violence.

Recorded live on Zoom on Thursday, December 2 (12:00 - 12:45pm CST).

When people suspect someone they love is being abused or is hurting from trauma, they often don’t know what to do, but want to be helpful in meaningful ways. What survivors say they need for support may surprise you, and the ways you can be an “upstander” instead of “bystander” is doable and meaningful. This is a conversation that will inform you about the dynamics of gender-based violence, and can aid your understanding of how to best respond. Featuring Kia Whittier, the Underserved Populations Support Advocate at Standpoint, and Megan Rae, the founder of "When..." Education & Training. 

One in three women globally will experience some form of gender-based violence in her lifetime. Given that statistic there’s a high likelihood someone you know is in an abusive relationship. Social pressure to “just leave” is usually not helpful, but often what people think should happen first. Family lawyer and former tribal judge Lori Flohaug, and Cami Inforzato, survivor and women’s group leader from the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, share their experiences with helping women navigate the complexities of leaving and surviving abusive situations. Their powerful insights about the barriers survivors face, and how designing and implementing local solutions–from the courts, families, concerned friends, and other systems providing assistance–can have a global impact.

Recorded live on Zoom on Thursday, June 24 (12:00-12:45 p.m. CST)

Abuse is a significant problem for all women, and immigrant women globally are particularly vulnerable. Economic and social factors, including immigration status, are challenges to reporting violence or seeking necessary services. Rosario de la Torre, legal advocate at Casa de Esperanza, and Phumulani shelter founder, Comfort Dondo, are mobilizing to protect Latina and African immigrant women by creating bilingual shelters, and survivor support through both legal action and culturally-specific community engagement, including tea ceremonies and listening sessions. Rosario and Comfort model how to lift up all women experiencing violence by sharing their innovative solutions grounded in community realities.

Recorded live on Zoom on Tuesday, May 18 (12:00-12:30 p.m. CST)