Editorial: Oregon Coalition’s Annual Conference
by Shanya Luther, Community Outreach Coordinator
In late July, the Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (OCADSV) held its annual conference with the theme “Cultivating a Vision: Building a Framework to End Violence in Oregon”. As advocates, volunteer coordinators, executive directors, survivors, and concerned allies arrived in Hood River, it was obvious we were in for a week of learning, teaching, and challenging each other and ourselves to stretch our ideas about violence prevention and intervention.
After finding my way to the hotel and subsequently losing all of my loose paperwork to the unbelievable wind blasting through the Columbia Gorge as I was walking across the parking lot, I was grateful to get started with the conference gatherings. The menu of workshop topics was mesmerizing – from basics to highly specialized issues and everything in between! The keynote speakers were a diverse group, too. From prison rape prevention to verbal abuse, the speakers gave us a lot to think about.
Because of the demographic make-up of Washington County I decided I could learn a lot from the workshop “Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault – The Challenges that Face the Latina Population”. And I’m glad to report I was right! I learned a great deal about the specific challenges the Latina population has to deal with and ways to reach out to Latina women. And because of the need for more education and understanding I attended a workshop called “Working With the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ) Community”. Again, I was extremely pleased with the information and understanding I gained from this workshop. Other workshops, panel groups, and discussion sessions gave me additional tools, guidance, and inspiration.
As with all sensitive subjects there was, of course, the potential for participants to become overwhelmed. I was glad to see the organizers had thought to create a ‘safe space’ room for anyone feeling triggered by the subject matter. And the structure of the conference was very thoughtfully put together; I was particularly moved by the opening/closing ceremonies led by members of a local Native American Tribe.
All in all I was pleased by my experience. I applaud the Coalition for putting together this important event, for making it accessible through scholarships and assistance, and for inviting speakers and presenters who can help shape the vision of violence prevention. My only request: maybe next year they could consider having it in Hawaii!
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