Local organizations that support survivors and their families focus on restorative practices amid a time of increased family violence
SAN LUIS OBISPO — October is Domestic Violence Awareness month and two local agencies, RISE and Restorative Partners, are working together to bring awareness to an increase in domestic violence during this time of the global pandemic. RISE provides emergency crisis counseling, shelter, advocacy and therapy for local survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence.
Restorative Partners provides a continuum of programs and services designed to meet the diverse needs of people impacted by crime, including those in custody and returning from incarceration.
These two agencies will be hosting a variety of virtual events throughout October.
The month of awareness will kick off with an Instagram LIVE interview on Thursday, October 1st at 10am which will focus on transformative justice and how domestic violence intersects with incarcerated individuals. Those interested can tune in by following the RISE instagram (@riseslo) and the Restorative Partners Instagram (@restorativepartners), and by turning on notifications to be alerted when they go LIVE.
The conversation will continue with a follow-up interview on Tuesday, October 13th at 10am, about the role of prevention and education in our community and services for survivors of Intimate Partner Violence.
On October 15th, RISE and Restorative Partners will partner with Cal Poly Safer to commemorate national Wear Purple Day to raise awareness for Domestic Violence. Supporters are asked to take a picture or a video showing off their purple, post it to their social media accounts on Thursday, October 15th and tag @riseslo, @calpolysafer and @restorativepartners. If the supporter does not have a public social media account, they can also send it to ?contact@riseslo.org? with a short explanation to share the image or video for posting.
Both organizations are excited to participate in a special edition of SLO Yoga Center’s Peace & Justice Movie Night. On October 16th, the community is invited to join us via Zoom, for a screening and open discussion about The Feminist on Cell Block Y, a documentary about Richie Reseda, an incarcerated person at a prison in California who studied and organized around feminism and toxic masculinity with his fellow inmates. To participate in this FREE special screening, sign up ?HERE?.
“Domestic violence is a silent pandemic impacting our community right now, and COVID-19 leaves survivors and their children at increased risk for harm,” says Jane Pomeroy, Executive Director of RISE. “This year, Domestic Violence Awareness Month is more critical than ever as we seek to help families cope with the increased stress related to COVID-19 and learn about and implement restorative practices that can de-escalate violence and promote healing and healthy relationships.”
If you would like more information on Domestic Violence Awareness Month or these upcoming events, please contact Stacy Salame at 805-556-8321 or email SSalame@riseslo.org?. More information will also be made available online at riseslo.org