Education and Outreach
Education and Outreach is the community organizing, educational and prevention component of the Asian Task Force Agasint Domestic Violence (ATASK). The goal is to bring attention to the realities of family violence and engage community participation in preventing further abuse. Together we can take a united stand for the many who have endured abuse in silence.
In addition to working with Asian community groups and youth, the Education and Prevention Department also provides workshops for a variety of communities including local and regional public schools, alternative programs, faith-based groups, universities, law enforcement, teachers, dentists, and health care professionals.
Education and Outreach Staff are available to provide consultations and training with respect to the provision of culturally appropriate services in the field of domestic violence prevention. We are always interested in expanding our network and intensifying our outreach activities. We welcome requests for training and consultations.
Curricula for Violence Prevention
 W.A.V.E. Teen Dating Violence
ATASK, in consultation
with Boston Asian Youth Essential Services, developed the
W.A.V.E. (Wave of Asian Voices Emerging) curriculum over a period of three years from 2001 to 2003
utilizing the Asian Health Initiatives Grant provided by Tufts-New
England Medical Center. It consists of six interactive sessions
of 60-90 minutes each for youth ranging from 13-18 years old. Out of
the six sessions, one is specifically designed for Asian
teenagers and youth while the rest are designed for all teenagers/youth.
The sessions include:
- Questioning Abuse and Respect in Relationships
- Investigating Intergenerational
Beliefs and Values about Family Violence (Parts 1 & 2)
- Now and Then: Examining Traditional Beliefs about Men and
Women
- Identifying Mainstream Media Stereotypes.
- Addressing Shame, and Helping Yourself or a Friend
In addition to W.A.V.E. we recently created a more mainstream curriculum that can be used to meet the needs of multiple youth programs and mainstream schools. We have included topics such as teen dating violence 101, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, gender and the media, and warning signs.
Toolbox
The Toolbox is geared for adults. It offers workable solutions
and tools on how one can understand and respond to Intimate
partner violence within Immigrant/Asian communities and other
communities of color. It also addresses gender-based violence as a whole
particularly concentrating on primary and secondary prevention. It is not designed to offer “cookie cutter” solutions;
it offers a better understanding of the various
nuances and factors unique to intimate partner violence
in communities of color as well as other forms of oppression
the community faces. The curriculum was developed through a
variety of means including interviews with clients and direct
services staff of ATASK, comprehensive feedback
from community leaders in the field, and extensive research. The curriculum consists of a booklet, PowerPoint presentation and, most importantly, facilitator sheets.
New England Domestic Violence Regional Forums
2004
In keeping with the overall vision of expanding
our geographic pool, ATASK hosted a Regional Forum on
October 29, 2004, with opportunities for information sharing, learning,
and skills acquisition. The focus was the intersection and interconnection
between domestic violence, health care, and law enforcement, as
it specifically relates to and impacts the Asian community. The
goal of the forum was to engage in dialogue with law enforcement
officials and domestic violence providers, as well as learn about
local county and statewide policies, practices and immigration
issues that will ultimately end family violence in Asian communities.
2006
On May 5, 2006, the forum focused on "To Desmystify and Embrace the Gray Areas." With over 100 participants, we gathered to:
- Exchange ideas and strategies on the best model of providing services
to survivors of family violence and other forms of gender-based
violence within immigrant communities...going beyond the mainstream
shelter model.
- Engage in discussion around addressing other forms of oppression
that immigrant communities face such as racism, anti-immigrant
sentiments, classism etc.
- Build a strong network of anti-violence organizations that work
with underserved immigrant populations, organize and form strategies
on critical issues
Following the May 5th conference, we successfully applied for and received funding from The Boston Foundation to form an immigrant and refugee coalition - The Multicultural Immigrant Coalition Against Violence (MICAV).
2008 Summer
In the summer of 2008, ATASK will bring 2004 and 2006 conferences beyond the region and host a national conference. More details will be posted here soon. Speaker submission will be sent out shortly.
Stay tuned!
For copies of the curricula or to arrange a workshop, please contact Jamie Ramola by phone at 617-338-0012 x231.
|
