Experiences of Advocates of Color Working in the Field of Domestic Violence & Strategies for Change
Date
2021
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Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
Abstract
From June to September 2019, the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence (MNADV) hosted four listening sessions with 37 advocates of color who were working in the intimate partner violence and sexual violence organizations in Maryland. The semi-structured sessions were advertised as “Holding Space: Advocates of Color Listening Session Series.” Each listening session was held in a separate county and sites included Baltimore County, Prince George’s County, Howard County, and Anne Arundel County. There was an average of 9 advocates per listening session (range 6 – 16).
To analyze the data and create this report, MNADV partnered with American University’s Community-Based Research Scholars and Certificate program. Stephanie Abreu, an undergraduate Community-Based Research Certificate student, attended the listening sessions and transcribed the conversations. The qualitative data were analyzed by Stephanie and Vanessa Negrón, M.A., a CBRS Program Specialist. The co-authors of this report grounded the recommendations here-in in the themes identified in the qualitative data, academic literature, and personal experiences working as advocates and managers in intimate partner violence and sexual violence organizations. The recommendations at action items were developed and finalized during a series of iterative Zoom conversations among the co-authors....The third section of the report, How to Move Forward, includes specific recommendations and
concrete action items that intimate partner violence and sexual violence organizations can take to support and uplift advocates of color in a meaningful way. The recommendations include incorporating African-positive principles into daily practice (Bent-Goodley, 2005; Nnawulezi & Sullivan, 2014); addressing manifestations of white dominant culture in the workplace (Jones & Okun, 2001); developing meaningful and genuine accountability structures; addressing the additional burdens advocates of color face, especially in leadership roles; engaging in intentional and equitable hiring and promotion practices; and providing meaningful, organization-wide access to support services for staff to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue. (Author Text)
Description
Report
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Keywords
Focus Groups, Data Analysis, Victim Advocates, Victim Services, People of Color, Organizational Support, Workplace Safety, Burnout, Racism, Microaggressions, Discrimination, Workload
Citation
Negrón, V.A., LaFortune, L., Palmer, J.E., Pollitt Hill, J., & Abreu, S. (2021). Experiences of Advocates of Color Working in the Field of Domestic Violence & Strategies for Change. Lanham, MD: Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence.