RAINN Survivor Summit - Domestic Violence Awareness Month
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2021
- Join RAINN for a Survivor Summit amplifying the voices of intimate partner violence survivors in honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Facilitated by RAINN’s Content Writer, Sierra Scott, members of RAINN Speakers Bureau will have a powerful conversation around domestic and intimate partner violence.
Meet the survivors:
Bella M. (they/them/she/her) is a long-time activist and a lifelong learner. From advocating for mental health by creating clubs in undergrad to creating better access for at-risk youth to obtaining health services as an AmeriCorps volunteer, Bella is passionate about equality, equity, and social justice. They are currently getting their Master's in Public Health while working part-time in retail management. Bella lives with three cats and two dogs, all of whom are adored when they are not destroying things. For fun, Bella loves going for nature walks, reading, writing, and painting.
Hellena Dior (she/her) is an author, advocate, and the director of a nonprofit organization called Helen’s Help Center. Hellena encourages others to shine their light by transitioning hate to hope and experiences to enlightenment. She’s worked in the early childhood education field for over 12years with military families and is a mother of a beautiful daughter. Hellena holds a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies in English Literature and Social Science and later began a Juris Master’s degree in American Legal Studies.
Joanne Cherisma (she/her) is the President of Beyond the Abuse, Inc. Joanne moved to the States after the Haiti Earthquake in 2010. In 2016, she started Beyond The Abuse, Inc. in order to bring awareness on abusive relationships and provide hope, empowerment, support, and confidence to the victims. Since then, she has been using her voice and her writing as an outlet for those who can understand the slings and arrows of life at many speaking engagements, domestic violence events, and workshops in the United States, Canada, and Haiti. Joanne writes poetic prose that speaks to the hearts of many. Her passion for writing embodies her empathetic nature while showcasing inner human vulnerability that sometimes goes unheard.
About RAINN:
RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. RAINN also carries out programs to prevent sexual violence, educate the public, help organizations improve their sexual assault prevention and response programs, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN has free, confidential help which is available 24/7 by calling 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visiting online.rainn.org.
Thank you for making us aware of what different forms of DV looks like.
Joanne, Hellena & Bella - Thank you for bravely sharing your stories and insights. I know how difficult it can be to talk about past traumas. I applaud you all for pushing through that ever present pain in order to educate and support other victims/survivors.
Thank you for bringing attention to the public about this serious issue. It affects women/men/children. I am a certified Domestic Violence Counselor/Victims.
Hi! I was so engrossed in the conversation I forgot to even look at the chat. So many important points covered today. Very relatable. I am actually Bella's Aunt. And I was in an abusive relationship for about 4 years. I have so many thoughts and comments running around in my head right now. Obviously I can't share them all. So I will share one. When my relationship ended I did not realize it had been abusive. It actually took me a long time to realize and then admit what it was. Even after I processed what had happened and thought I was on the other side of healing from it, I would remember things that I had forgotten. So in reality, the healing processes is an ebb and flow. As said during the conversation, it is not linear. I am not sure there is ever a point at which we can say we are "healed". Because I see it as an ongoing lifetime process. I see it more as a "recovery". Like we are "recovering victims". Or maybe surviving victims in recovery. I'm not sure how to express it correctly, but hopefully the gist of what I am saying makes sense. Another way to view it is as an "addiction". It's something we have to acknowledge is a problem. Then we need to seek help and get treatment. But it is a lifelong battle to not go back to a similar pattern. Which may seem like it is easy. But when it is what you are used to, or what you know, it really isn't easy. It's actually quite difficult.
It's really a courageous thing, for all of you to share your stories. You should know that there are other organizations out there that are concerned with/ connecting the same ideas. Bella, as part of the LGBTQ population, you should know that GLSEN, also provides services to adolescents in need.
Rainn a mi me hicieron lo mismo de la misma manera, yo soy violada varias veces, en diferentes momentos de mi vida solo en Argentina, No estoy sola, es lo mas normal que existe, que increible, sera asi siempre RAINN????.