Turning Up the Heat for DVAM 2021: No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice

By Breckan Winters, NRCDV Program Specialist

Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is right around the corner, and for #DVAM2021 we are turning up the heat on our call to action from last year, No Survivor Justice Without Racial Justice. This October and beyond, the Domestic Violence Awareness Project (DVAP) calls on the domestic violence movement to center, celebrate, and follow the leadership of Black survivors, leaders, advocates, and frontline workers. As Arlene Vassell writes in HERE and there: An open letter to white women in the movement to end gender-based violence:

“The only way to end gender-based violence is shifting power and resources over here. Here. The place that was created by Black women for Black people. Through blood, sweat and tears, we’ve always been here.”

Racial justice is our work. Dismantling anti-Blackness where it shows up in our personal and professional spaces is a specific and integral part of racial justice work. We must be the work, not just do the work. We all have a role to play in creating safe and thriving communities for all. Here are some ways that you can act to promote racial justice for survivors this DVAM:

• Kick off #DVAM2021 with the annual Call for Unity on Friday, October 1st at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific.
• Attend the Domestic Violence and Housing Technical Assistance Consortium’s Policy and Research Briefing on Tuesday, October 12th at 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific.
• What would it look like to build a movement that truly supports Black and Brown women’s well-being and ability to bring their whole selves to this work? Join us for a two-part conversation to listen, learn from, and honor the lived experiences of women of color advocates on October 14th and 21st at 2pm Eastern/11am Pacific. Register here!
• Access the #1Thing Action Guide for tools and tips to support your awareness activities for DVAM and beyond, including graphics and social media post examples, ideas for hosting virtual events, printouts and social media cards, and more!
• Read two exciting new resources for dismantling anti-Blackness and promoting racial justice in our work to build safe and healthy communities:
  • Back to Basics: Partnering with Survivors and Communities to Promote Health Equity at the Intersections of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence by NSVRC and NRCDV
  • TA Question of the Month: How can domestic and sexual violence advocates center health equity for Black women in our work?

• Check out PreventIPV’s Prevention Tools of the Week throughout the month of October:
  • Week 1: #1Thing Action Guide: Inspiring Action Through a Unified Message by the Domestic Violence Awareness Project
  • Week 2: Back to Basics: Partnering with Survivors and Communities to Promote Health Equity at the Intersections of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence by NSVRC and NRCDV
  • Week 3: Uniting Isolated Voices: Girls & Gender Expansive Youth During COVID-19 by Alliance for Girls
  • Week 4: Racial Equity Tools by Racial Equity Tools
• Advocates are essential frontline workers. As such, we invite you to find opportunities to rest and to care for yourself. The #Care4Advocates campaign features resources to promote advocates’ well-being during COVID-19 and beyond.
• In these videos, advocates of color shares why they are essential workers. During COVID-19, we thank, appreciate, honor, and look to the leadership of advocates. Listen and honor their stories in these videos.
• Listen to and share the DVAP’s Universal Prayer: A Moment of Silence for a message of hope and healing for DVAM and beyond.

What #1Thing will you do to promote racial justice for survivors during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and beyond?