DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH: TWO COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS

EMERGE WILL PARTNER WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS TO HOLD TWO COMMUNITY CONVERSATIONS DURING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH

TUCSON, ARIZONA – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). This year, Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse will raise awareness in the community about the unique experiences and barriers that survivors of domestic abuse live with on a daily basis.

During October, Emerge, will facilitate two community conversations, one in-person, and one virtually.

In partnership with Goodwill Youth Re-Engagement Centers, Boys to Men Tucson, and Omega Rho Zeta, Emerge will introduce the first community conversation, For the Love of Black Children, that will take place on Wednesday, October 12, at the Dunbar Auditorium from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community members who want to participate can register here: https://conta.cc/3BVLKQR.

This community conversation will address the intersections of domestic abuse, racism, and targeted violence in our community. Panelists will also discuss how Black families overcoming domestic abuse face the painful reality of systems that often criminalize Black children.

The second community conversation, For the Love of Black Women: My Body Matters!, on Wednesday, October 19, will focus on the disparities within the healthcare system that affect Black women. Panelists will also reflect on how systemic bias and racism can affect Black survivors of domestic abuse seeking care. The goal is to create an opportunity for our community to learn about critical intersections of healthcare inequity and intimate partner violence so that we can all play a role in addressing safety for survivors. People who want to participate in this virtual community conversation can sign up to receive more information here: https://bit.ly/3dVHOaQ.

“To ensure that survivors of domestic abuse get the help they need, we must connect to the humanity behind the statistics, myths, stereotypes, and assumptions that can distract us from seeing the human beings who are suffering and need our support. To ensure that all survivors of domestic abuse get the help they need, we must also acknowledge and then change the ways that racism, homophobia, anti-immigrant sentiment, and many other forms of discrimination and oppression create inequities in the support that those in need receive from our community.” Ed Sakwa, CEO at Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse.

In partnership with Sun Tran and The Loft Cinema, Emerge will hold a Stuff-the-Bus event to collect starting-over supplies to support individuals experiencing domestic abuse. The event will take place on Saturday, October 22, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at The Loft Cinema. A virtual Stuff-the-Bus will also be available throughout October. Community members who want to donate can visit https://emergecenter.org/stuff-the-bus/.

The community can also join Emerge in raising awareness about domestic abuse and stand in solidarity with survivors on National Wear Purple Day. On October 20, wear purple clothing or accessories, take a photo and share it on social media.

Photos can be sent to [email protected] or shared on personal social media profiles by tagging @EmergeTucson and using the hashtag #paintpimapurple.

More information about Domestic Violence Awareness Month can be found here: https://emergecenter.org/events-and-news/domestic-violence-awareness-month/.

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About Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse
Emerge is dedicated to stopping the cycle of domestic abuse by providing a safe environment and resources for victims and survivors of all types of abuse on their journey toward healing and self-empowerment. Emerge provides a 24-hour multilingual hotline, shelter, community-based services, housing stabilization, lay legal support, and prevention services. Emerge serves anyone regardless of race, creed, color, religion, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.