|
Note: In an effort to disrupt the idea that only men perpetrate abuse, the pronouns used on this web site and in our literature that refer to perpetrators are predominantly female. Feel free to imagine the information using varied gender pronouns, such as he, ze or s/he.
|
|
If You Think You, or Someone You Love, might be in an abusive relationship, you can call us for support or more information.
|
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING:
The Northwest Network offers these community organizing programs. Please follow the links below for details, or contact us for more information.
- Community Education
- Training for Service Providers
- F.A.R. Out! (Friends Are Reaching OUT!)
- Q&A for Advocates
- The Pink Martini Project
- The Clothesline Project
Community Connectedness and Education
 |
The Northwest Network recognizes the critical importance of being grounded within our constituent communities. We participate in community events, activities and discussions on a variety of topics and issues. We assist in creating sites for community based on shared values of respect, personal agency, accountability, safety and celebration. Whether we're at a drag king show or a city council meeting, we weave education about domestic violence, support services, anti-oppression, and safety planning through all our interactions. We have materials in multiple formats and distribute information from as many and as varied locations as possible.
Check out the "What's New" section of this web site to find out what projects we're currently working on.
Training for Service Providers
Our staff are recognized both locally and nationally as leaders and educators in the filed of same-sex domestic violence. We provide training, materials and support to shelter and community program staff as well as law enforcement, mental health and health care providers, and others working with survivors of same-sex domestic violence. Areas of expertise include screening and assessment, working with transsexual and transgendered survivors, alternative models of accountability, and organizing between marginalized communities. Our web site provides written materials to an international community, and our office serves as a clearinghouse for information on same-sex domestic violence.
One of the many ways that we work to increase awareness and build community is through education. The Northwest Network provides training to staff and volunteers at domestic violence projects throughout the area. As we connect with advocates, they have asked for opportunities for more in-depth and sustained training about abuse in lbtg relationships. Advocates have shared that it can be difficult to incorporate new information into their daily practice without follow-up and consultation.
We are excited to provide an opportunity for a more in-depth training and consultation project available to domestic violence advocates and others who work with lesbian, bisexual, trans and gay survivors of domestic, dating and sexual violence. Through this project, the NW Network brings together advocates from across the region to share information about unique issues and concerns facing our diverse queer communities. Included in sharing specialized information from queer survivors (ex: how to talk about same-sex sexual assault in support group), we can provide a space for developing assessment skills and experience. We work together with agencies to strategize practical ways to improve emergency services for lesbian, bisexual, trans, gay, questioning and queer survivors and problem solve around typical barriers to support that exist in shelters and community advocacy programs.
By the way, Q&A stands for both "Questions & Answers" as well as "Queers & Allies".
For more information,
The Pink Martini Project brings together bar owners and employees to break the silence about domestic violence in LGBT communities. The Pink Martini Project was developed in conjunction with local bar employees and event producers. Participating bars will receive Pink Martini Bar Packs with table tents, posters, matchbooks and resource cards to highlight their commitment as community supporters who take a stand against violence in LGBT communities.
Incorporating the results of a Northwest Network community survey conducted at Seattle LGBT bars, the Pink Martini Project will increase awareness about domestic, sexual and dating violence. It will also assist bar owners and event producers to become more pro-active in preventing this violence in their venues.
 |
Beginning in the spring of 1990 in Cape Cod Massachusetts, artist Rachel Carey-Harper created a simple and powerful concept: a clothesline on which women could air out society's insidiously silent "dirty laundry." Using the simple medium of a t-shirt, survivors were able to create stunningly poignant and moving personal accounts of their feelings, their struggles and their efforts to heal from the violence they had experienced. The first Clothesline display, created by the Cape Cod Women's Agenda, appeared on October 8, 1990 with 31 shirts. Today there are well over 500 groups that run their own Clothesline project displays.
The NW Network clothesline project exists to educate, document and raise awareness to the extent of homophobic, biphobic and transphobic violence used against lesbian, bisexual, trans and gay people; to support the healing process of all lesbian, bisexual, trans & gay survivors of violence; And to bear witness to the survivors and victims of violence and to break the silence regarding LBTG domestic violence and sexual assault.
site design: being MEdia