The Southern Hilltowns Domestic Violence Task Force gave out helpful information at its booth during the Russell Police Association Family Fun Day last summer.
Reminder Publishing photo by Amy Porter
HUNTINGTON — The Hilltown Safety at Home program and the Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force are offering the “In Her Shoes” training on Jan. 14, from 2:45-4:15 p.m. at Gateway Regional High School, 12 Littleville Road.
The interactive training includes walk-through real-life scenarios faced by survivors of domestic violence.
Discussions will consider how power and privilege intersect with class, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality and status.
Participants will have an opportunity to gain insight into the barriers and tough choices survivors encounter every day, and learn how to support and advocate for those affected by abuse.
The training is open to all and ideal for professionals, volunteers, and community members committed to making a difference; and is a rare opportunity to deepen understanding and help build a safer, more compassionate community. RSVP by Jan. 8 to southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com.
The Southern Hilltown Domestic Violence Task Force brings together community members and staff from local and regional agencies to improve the landscape for people who experience or are at risk of domestic violence. It meets monthly to work on prevention, community education and outreach, training, and service development and coordination.
The task force founded Hilltown Safety at Home (413-667-2203), which provides local advocacy services in the hills, and is now run by Hilltown Community Health Centers.
The task force is one of several partners that launched the first in the nation helpline for people at risk of abusing their partner who want to change (acallforchangehelpline.org).
It works closely with Gateway schools on a variety of prevention projects, including the first social norms dating violence prevention project in the country and the Karen Hart scholarship.
Task force outreach projects include bystander campaigns using dozens of local residents in public service ads, and brochures aimed at those who are being abused but do not intend to leave their home.
“We firmly believe that whether someone goes or stays is their choice, and we stand ready to support people as they make their own decisions about their own life,” said task force member Monica Moran. For more information, contact southernhillsdvtaskforce@gmail.com or follow them on Facebook.
