Announcements

Below you will find a rotating list of community announcements from our partners and colleagues in the field, ranging from local events and fundraisers to job and volunteer opportunities.

 

Want to receive announcements and more from the NYC anti-violence community straight to your email inbox? Our bi-weekly Alliance Digest features current news, research, community events, local resources and more. Sign up now!

 

To have your program’s announcement included in this list, and in our bi-weekly Alliance Digest, please email webmanager@svfreenyc.org with details and promotional materials, with the subject heading “Announcement”.

Alliance Announcements

 

The Alliance is Currently Hiring for Multiple Positions!

Director of Programs

The Director of Programs works closely with the Executive Director and plays a lead role in the supervision of and support for staff, the development of organizational culture, the development of strategic programmatic vision for the Alliance, and program implementation centered on the needs of survivors and the organizations that serve them.

 

Safe Examiner Instructor/Curriculum Consultant

The SAFE Instructor & Curriculum Consultant will co-direct and co-facilitate SAFE trainings and co-create a curriculum guide for the Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner Training Institute (SAFETI). Learn more and apply now!

 

Healthy Equity Nightlife Liason — in partnership with OutSmartNYC
The Health Equity Nightlife Liaison will work with the OutSmartNYC team to oversee two primary projects: revamping and coordinating the OutSmart Nightlife Collective and overseeing the coordination of specialized nightlife trainings. This is a contract-based position, with 10 hours of work a week from March 2023-January 2024. Learn more and apply now!

 

Project DOT Assistant Coordinator

The NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault is hiring for the position of a Project DOT Assistant Coordinator. roject DOT is a youth leadership-based sexual violence prevention program. The program engages youth from NYC’s underserved communities, including communities of color and LGBTQIA+ identities that are often not the recipients of traditional prevention programming. This is a contract-based position, with 5 hours of work a week from March 2023-January 2024. Learn more and apply now!

 

Become a Sexual Assault Forensic Examiner: March 40-Hour Adult/ Adolescent Course

The objectives of this course address the development of skillful assessment techniques, thorough understanding of the dynamics of rape and intimate partner violence and the mechanics of injury which provide a solid foundation for working with survivors. Although the curriculum prioritizes the importance of the victim’s treatment and recovery, it also recognizes the importance of evidence collection, objective documentation and the need to provide testimony based on professional experience. This course combines the knowledge and expertise of a nationally and internationally recognized faculty with a variety of educational methods to give participants the maximum opportunity for professional growth in this advanced practice role.

Learn more and register using the link above!

 

Virtual Panel Discussion Recording – Defending Bodily Autonomy: Abortion Access & the Sexual Violence Prevention
On June 24, 2022 the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Ending our constitutional right to abortion undoubtedly impacts survivors and victims of sexual violence. Click the heading above to access the full recording of a virtual panel discussion highlighting the intersections between abortion access and the sexual violence prevention movement. Through an action-oriented lens alongside legal, medical, and education experts we will discuss how everyone can get involved in defending bodily autonomy in a post-Roe America. Available on Youtube!

 

Alliance Statement on the Overturn of Roe v. Wade
We Support Choice Today. And We Will Support Choice Tomorrow.
The right to the choice not to continue with an unwanted or unplanned pregnancy is an essential, non-negotiable component of the support that survivors of sexual violence deserve after sexual assault. In standing with survivors, the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault supports ready, safe, and unrestricted abortion access in our city and beyond. Click the title to read our full statement.

 

Senior Prevention Coordinator Shilpy Chatterjee Interviewed on Impact of Roe Decision
Alliance Senior Prevention Coordinator Shilpy Chatterjee was recently interviewed in Urdu on Voice of America, and was asked to speak about how the SC ruling could affect the struggle for women’s rights.

 

Alliance Statement on Rejecting Title IX TERFs

The term “TERF” is central to the current public discourse surrounding the upcoming release of the Biden Administration’s Department of Education’s new Title IX Regulations. It is rumored that the new draft rules will redefine “sex” to “gender” and “gender identity.” This potential change in language alone would be a massive win for Trans student rights to an education free from discrimination.

 

The backlash to this possible progress takes form in TERF rhetoric and ideology. For example, so-called feminists, often holding a combination of white heterosexual skinny cisgender womananhoods and other privileged identities, are being given platforms in some of the most major national news outlets to share their thoughts about pending changes to Title IX. TERF opinion pieces are arguing that any Biden Administration re-write to the draft rule would “erase women and undermine constitutional liberties” while others baselessly claim that allowing trangender women to participate in college athletics takes away opportunities for cisgender women.

 

Sport physicist and avid runner Joanna Harper’s says it best in her research: “We always focus on advantages; well we actually allow advantages in sport…For instance, in baseball, the configuration of the diamond lends many advantages to left-handed players over right-handed players. And yet, that’s an advantage we allow. We can have meaningful competition between left-handed baseball players, and right-handed baseball players, despite the advantages…The important question isn’t, “Do trans women have advantages?” What really matters is can trans women and cis women compete against one another in meaningful competition. There’s no indication that trans women are anywhere close to taking over women’s sport, it’s not happening now.”

Click the title to read the full statement!

 

The Campus Program is Relaunching: A Blog Post from Senior Campus Coordinator, Sam Skaller

As we rebuild this organization, take accountability for the past, and strive to rebuild community trust, I feel grateful to be back aiding these ongoing efforts. In the spirit of new beginnings, it is my absolute pleasure to officially relaunch the Campus Program!

 

First, we are now able to offer in-person and virtual trainings and workshops to colleges and universities through our Campus Training Institute (CTI). Our training menus for students, faculty, and staff range in content and can be catered to the specific needs of YOUR campus communities. Second, we are able to help support New York colleges and universities in their creation, promotion, dissemination, and/or analysis of Campus Sexual Violence Climate Surveys compliant with NYS Education Law 129b., “Enough is Enough.” Lastly, we plan to launch our student volunteer programs in the Fall of 2022 for eligible NYC students passionate about getting involved in campus sexual violence prevention. More details about all of this can be found on our website here…Read Sam’s full blog post about the Campus relaunch here.

 

The Alliance is Relaunching: A Blog Post from Alliance ED, Emily Miles

“As many of you know, after a brief period of shutdown this summer, the Alliance hired me as Executive Director in late October, with a charge to work with the broader gender-based violence community to restart operations in a way that is both culturally competent and fiscally responsible. The last two and a half months have been a whirlwind, and I am so grateful to the many who have offered their support and critical feedback as we work to rebuild and reform the Alliance.

 

Sexual assault and sexual violence impact all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, or ability. Every survivor deserves access to differentiated services grounded in the unique needs of their community and a system that supports them in a manner that is both trauma-informed and culturally competent. In working to restart Alliance operations, we seek to use this time to reflect on how our work can be strengthened to better support the full diversity of survivor experiences, to develop stronger programming and organizational practices reflective of those needs, and to further invest in sexual violence prevention efforts. To accomplish this, we have taken several actions…” Read the full blog post here.

 

Memorandum of Support: Adult Survivors Act

The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault, an umbrella organization for New York City-based rape crisis centers, strongly supports the Adult Survivors Act (A.648/S.66) which would create a one-year window to allow adult sexual assault survivors with time–barred claims to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser and, where applicable, the institution that failed to stop the abuse. Click the link above to read our full statement.

 

The ‘Enough is Enough’ Onboarding Webinars project was initiated by the Training and Technical Assistance teams at The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault and The New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. We felt that it would be helpful to create a series of trainings that provide an overview of ‘Enough is Enough’ programming. When a staff member joins a new ‘Enough is Enough’ program, the Training and Technical Assistance Coordinators provide trainings to help orient them to the landscape of the ‘Enough is Enough’ grant and supervisors often ask for refreshers, so we felt it was important to host the ‘Enough is Enough’: Onboarding Training Series here where providers can access the content as needed. We invite you to refer to it as needed.

 

11th Annual Virtual Celebration of Excellence – Full Video Included!
The NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault held our 11th Annual Celebration of Excellence virtually on October 22, 2020 at 6:30 pm. Thank you to all who could join us for this virtual event where we honored your colleagues who have done exemplary advocacy work on behalf of survivors of sexual assault! The Annual Celebration of Excellence brings together the sexual assault community to honor and commemorate the winners of the Lydia Martinez Multidisciplinary Collaboration Awards. Thank you for helping us celebrate these extraordinary professionals and their stories of serving survivors of sexual assault. Please check out the link above to watch a video of the entire live event!

 

On May 6th, the U.S. Department of Education released its final rule mandating how
schools and higher education institutions address sexual violence under Title IX. If allowed to take effect, this rule will make schools more dangerous for all students and will make it easier for institutions to avoid responsibility for responding to sexual assault and harassment. In the midst of a global pandemic, the Department of Education has given schools just 100 days to adapt their policies, at a time when vulnerable populations are at greater risk and schools already need to adapt in order to meet this moment. Please click here to read the Alliance’s full statement on the adoption of this Title IX rule.

Events

 

Lunch and Learn with SAVI: Gender-based Violence — Mount Sinai SAVI

Bring your lunch on March 24th as we discuss how transforming gender norms can help us work toward ending gender-based violence. With the Trans Day of Visibility approaching, we’ll talk about the how trans oppression and sexual violence intersect. Click link to register!

 

QTBIPOC Empowerment in Harm Reduction: Lighthouse Learning Series — Lighthouse Learning Collective

This March 24th session will be an introductory conversation about BIPOC empowerment in harm reduction. Topics covered will include how senses of personal meaning are created and the role of language and storytelling as it relates to personal empowerment. Additionally, we will discuss the importance of curiosity and nuance when supporting people who identify with commonly misunderstood experiences like suicide and self-harm. Register now!

 

Healing Ourselves Through Sound and Music: A 6-week Workshop Focusing on Self-Expression, Mindfulness, & Community Support  — The Angel Band Project

The Angel Band Project is offering a free, virtual music therapy workshop for female-identifying survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence, ages 18+. The workshop will be led by licensed creative arts therapist and trauma-informed music psychotherapist Katie Down, MA, LCAT, MT-BC. It will take place remotely via the HIPAA-compliant Zoom platform.

The group will focus on inner healing and supporting one another through listening, sharing, improvising, and creating. Sessions are established as safe, grounded places where women can feel heard, seen, and supported through music and sound. They can include guided listening, mandalas, somatic work, voice work, songwriting, poetry, and more. Each participant will be sent a pair of headphones if they need it. Participants must have access to high-speed wifi and a private space with no interruptions for the 90 minute meeting time.

Mondays, March 27th-May 1st, 2023 | 6:00-7:30 PM EST

 

Ujima Talks: A Conversation with Thecia Jenkins on Teen Dating Violence — Ujima Community

This “Ujima Talks” discusses modern-day relationship culture and how historical treatment of and ideas about Black women impact their experiences with dating and domestic violence. During the conversation, featuring Thecia Jenkins, we discuss how generational trauma shows up in our everyday lives, and how it influences our help-seeking behaviors. We also discuss how society adultifies Black women and girls and how that impacts their relationship with violence. Watch now!

 

Webinar: Beliefs about Sexual Violence Among Muslim Students on Campus — HEART
This recorded webinar explores the intersection of gender and sexual violence beliefs among Muslim college students across campuses nationwide.

For Survivors and Allies

 

Women Survivors Group Therapy — NYC Peace of Mind

In-person weekly group therapy sessions for women who have experienced any sexual abuse and.or domestic violence. We hope to encourage and inspire women to see their inner beauty beyond the scars and fears they experiences. The group is held at NYC Peace of Mind, PLLC on Mondays from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Each weekly session has a cost of $30.

 

Sister Circles  —  Black Women’s Blueprint

Sister Circles are held virtually each week on Thursdays from 7-9 pm EST.

Job Opportunities

Community Organizer — NYC Anti-Violence Project (AVP)
Senior Director of Campaigns — Girls for Gender Equity (GGE)
Senior Director of Programs — Girls for Gender Equity (GGE)
Corporate Research Associate (remote) — RALIANCE