March 5, 2019
Thank you again to Indira for providing these helpful tips. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or needs regarding the documentary or support for providing services to survivors of sexual violence.
Annie Pelletier Hightower
annie@engagingvoices.org
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At Family Services Alliance of SE Idaho, we facilitate a therapeutic group named “We DID it!” for individuals who identify as experiencing Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID). DID is characterized by a disruption in identity in which a person experiences more than one personality states. This experience of perceiving the self as multiple others typically occurs as the result of chronic childhood trauma. Dissociative Identity Disorder is often referred to as DID. We love the creativity and empowerment in the name “We DID it!” We are in awe of the resiliency, strength, and kindness that these group members share with us as they meet together. The puzzle that they created is packed full of meaning and they would like us to share a little bit about their process in creating this piece.
The tree represents a single individual with distinct identifying features. Each of the four seasons is present on the tree, representing the division of self that is often experienced by individuals with DID. The seasons are not in order, because at times parts of the self appear random or chaotic. The use of a tree is also significant in it’s representation of infinite potential for growth and steadiness through difficult experiences. This piece expresses their present experience of endless potential and forward motion as they choose who they want to be now.
The central message of the piece is the heart within the trunk, symbolizing the compassion that the group observes within themselves. We could not agree more! While DID is characterized by the American Psychiatric Association as a disorder, we know them to be powerful individuals whose capacity for compassion has been strengthened by their experiences.
The hive positioned in the middle of the tree is also informative, representing both the conscious and unconscious mind. The hive creates safety for the community as a whole and each individual bee brings unique life-sustaining talents to the community. Like the puzzle itself, each part is different but fits together perfectly.
Several months went in to the planning and execution of this piece and sharing it with you is one of the ways that the We DID It group is advocating for the de-stigmatizing and empowerment of trauma survivors.
– Sarah O’Banion, Executive Director
Family Services Alliance
Child marriage bill done for this year, but will come back next year
From winter 2018 and into late February 2019, the Idaho Coalition worked closely with Representative Melissa Wintrow to introduce legislation that would prohibit the marriage of anyone under 16 in the state. Unfortunately, the bill was defeated on the house floor on February 27.
The bill was aimed at lowering child marriage rates in Idaho, while aligning Idaho marriage laws with statutory rape laws. The proposed language:
We have already started brainstorming additional changes we would like to see made to this law and strategies that may be used next year to create sufficient momentum for a bill to be reintroduced next year. We will keep you updated on our progress.
Annie Pelletier Hightower
annie@engagingvoices.org
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As a reminder, we would like to again highlight the availability of SASP emergency assistance funds. Funds are allocated to provide support to individuals impacted by sexual assault.
Funds may be accessed by Idaho Coalition member programs, those who receive SASP funds, as-well-as program members who do not currently receive SASP funds.
We also recognize that many victims/survivors of sexual assault may not access crisis centers and may be interacting with community organizations and agencies who are working with individuals with disabilities, culturally specific agencies, or with LGBTQ organizations. These organizations may reach out to you looking for support and resources, please know that they may also access these funds when looking to provide emergency support to individuals impacted by sexual assault.
Emergency assistance may include, but is not limited to: counseling, medical assistance, rental or employment assistance, civil legal assistance or other approved expenses related to the victimization.
Please click here to review current SASP emergency funds guidelines.
If you have any questions regarding SASP Emergency Assistance Funds or how to submit a request, please contact Lacey.
Lacey Sinn
lacey@engagingvoices.org
Three Things to reach out to me for:
Growing Your Evaluation Practice: Introducing the Building Evidence Toolkit webinar
Thursday, March 14, 2019 | 12:30 – 2 pm PST; 1:30 – 3 pm MST
Community-based domestic violence organizations find themselves at the front-line of the fight to pursue social justice. However, there is often a disconnect between the front-line work and larger understanding for what practices work and how. This webinar will present an evaluation toolkit that was developed to bridge the practice to research gap by putting the tools of evaluation into the hands of domestic violence organizations.
The Building Evidence Toolkit is a free, bilingual, online tool created to strengthen the evaluation capacity of Latino community-based organizations (CBOs) working in the field of domestic violence. It was developed in partnership with four CBOs each working with unique Latino communities in the United States.
The Toolkit highlights participatory and culturally responsive approaches to evaluation. It is divided into sections that correspond to the different phases of the evaluation process to guide people with different levels of evaluation expertise and utilizes a cooking analogy to explain the steps involved in a program evaluation. The presenters will walk attendees through the toolkit introducing them to its different components and uses.
Presenter(s): Dr. Rebecca Rodriguez and Dr. Josephine V. Serrata
Zoom Info: https://zoom.us/j/592670975
Call-In Info: +1 669 900 6833 OR +1 646 876 9923
Webinar ID: 592 670 975
Reminder that shipping for all material orders made by Programs on the Idaho Coalition website store is FREE of cost, please use the below coupon for all orders.
Visit the online store to view current Idaho Coalition materials available for order. For store questions, please contact Lacey Sinn.
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