News and Events
#16DaysOfActivism to End Gender-Based Violence 2019
November 25 – December 10, 2019
Highlights! DVAM Gratitude and Solidarity
At the Institute, much of our work focuses on domestic violence as it affects Asian and Pacific Islander families and communities, engaging with direct service agencies to understand and address the unique dynamics created by race, culture, history, socio-economic status, and religion. At the same, we recognize that these identities are the very things that have been used throughout history to divide and oppress. That’s why we are so thankful to be in solidarity with amazing partners and allies, within API communities and without, who not only inspire our work, but make this movement feel like home. We want to take this moment to appreciate all of you moving in solidarity with us towards a world free of gender violence.
Blog: Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking: Advocacy at the Intersections, 2019
During October, we simultaneously commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the 35th anniversary of the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA). The overlap of these events calls our attention to the complex intersection of domestic violence and human trafficking.
Highlights! Centering API Survivors in Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Fall is finally upon us, and it brings Domestic Violence Awareness Month! Throughout the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing snapshots from our research on DV in Asian and Pacific Islander communities, as well as highlighting some of the inspiring work API community-based agencies are doing. In the meantime, here are three ways you can help center API survivors in DVAM
Webinar Series from OVC: The OVC Vicarious Trauma Toolkit
Starting 10/18/19
Do you see signs that victim service work is negatively impacting your staff and volunteers? Are you ready to lead your agency in addressing this work-related trauma exposure and becoming a vicarious trauma-informed organization? Please join this upcoming three-part webinar series on the Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (VTT) to learn how!
This series will equip you and your team with an evidence-informed assessment of your agency’s unique strengths and gaps, introduce you to concrete tools available in the VTT, and guide you in developing a customized agency strategy to respond to the work-related trauma exposure of staff and volunteers. The intended audience is managers, supervisors, and agency leadership who are ready to jump in and proactively address this issue.
Domestic and Family Violence in Hmong Communities, 2019
Demographic data, statistics, and resources on domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse in Hmong communities
Past Events
August Highlights: It’s Back To School Season!
It’s back to school season! As students flock to campus, it’s also a moment to remember the 1 in 5 students who experience campus sexual assault.
Research finds that over 50% of college sexual assaults occur August-November, a time period dubbed the “Red Zone.” Over these months, we will be be participating in End Rape on Campus’ #ReclaimRedZones campaign to reclaim the everyday parts of life that are interrupted by sexual violence. Check out their #ReclaimRedZones Syllabus for resources and ideas through the coming weeks. We hope you will join us in showing that there is no place for sexual assault on campus.
How Will the ‘Public Charge’ Final Rule Impact Immigrant Survivors? Updated Advisory & Informational Webinar
The DHS rule on the public charge ground of inadmissibility has been released and will be formally published on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. If litigation does not prevent the rule from taking effect, the policy will become effective on October 15. As noted by Tahirih Justice Center, an initial review shows that the published rule will penalize immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault who are subject to the public charge bar to admissibility, who use public benefits.
Informational webinar: 8/29/2019, 1:oopm PDT/4:00pm EDT to provide up-to-date analysis on the impact of the public charge inadmissibility rule on immigrant survivors. Save the date and register
Our Advisory, “How Will ‘Public Charge’ Policy Changes Impact Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault?” has been revised to reflect the provisions of the final rule. Download the Advisory to learn more about how public charge determinations will be made, which survivors will exempt, and how the rule will impact survivors and their families.
July Highlights: Directory Updates & Asian American Narratives
Happy August! Now that it has been nearly a year since the release of Crazy Rich Asians, the first major Hollywood movie in years to have a majority Asian cast, we are reflecting on how the portrayal of Asian Americans in popular media has evolved over the years. Though imperfect, Crazy Rich Asians — and now Always Be My Maybe, The Farewell, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and Searching among others — are welcome counterpoints to Hollywood’s history of portraying Asians as caricatures, punchlines, or villains. They offer glimpses into the stories of Asian Americans from different, more authentic, walks of life: from a confused but determined single father, to a working class musician rekindling romance with a celebrity chef from a Vietnamese refugee family, and to wealthy Singaporean immigrants.
Each Asian American, as all Americans, has grappled with the question of where (not if) they fit into this country’s fabric. As Asians form one of the most diverse racial categories in the US, there is no one answer, and it is promising that the media and popular culture are beginning to recognize this. Undoubtedly there is still room for improvement — ‘brown’ Asians, low-income Asians, queer Asians, Pacific Islanders (the list goes on) still have not received representation in meaningful ways — but we are optimistic about the progress and look forward to further change.
Directory of Community-Based Organizations Serving API Survivors Updated!
Our Directory of Domestic & Gender Violence Programs Serving Asians and Pacific Islanders includes information on over 160 amazing organizations across the U.S. and territories providing culturally-specific services or resources to Asian and Pacific Islander survivors of abuse. The Directory now also includes networks or coalitions providing resources, technical assistance/training, advocacy against gender-based violence, or other community services for API individuals.
June Highlights: Honoring All Communities, All Survivors
Happy Pride Month and Immigrant Heritage Month! With World Refugee Day (June 20th) also just behind us, there is no better time to honor Asian and Pacific Islander LGBTQ, immigrant, and refugee communities: to hear their voices, to recognize the barriers they face, to celebrate their contributions, and to commit to holding space for them.
These communities enrich all of us, and the heritages they carry should be uplifted, not suppressed. Regardless of geographic origin or identity, we have always, and will continue to stand for all survivors of violence; and for healthy relationships built on love and respect, rather than power.
Advisory: How Do Recent HUD Proposed Rules About Verification of Immigration Status Impact Survivors of Domestic & Sexual Assault?
NOTICE & COMMENT PERIOD DEADLINE: July 9, 2019
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) proposed regulations that change longstanding policy relating to immigration status verification requirements and disallowing those ineligible for federal housing assistance (i.e., members of “mixed-status” households) from residing in HUD’s public and specified assisted housing programs. This advisory describes impacts of the proposed rule on immigrant survivors of violence.
