Education is key to ending interpersonal violence. In order to reach as many people as possible we have designed the conference to be both a community event as well as a one credit undergraduate course. In addition the conference may be used to earn continuing education units through the National Association of Social Workers. (NASW) A certificate of attendance will be available to all who participate. Attendees will find the conference an excellent opportunity to network with professionals from the Oregon area and build relationships with others who are interested in eliminating domestic and sexual violence

Diverse Pathways - Universal Truths is the tenth annual summer conference on interpersonal violence presented by the PSU Women's Studies Department. Our community partners this year are the Bradley Angle House and Healing Roots Village. The conference design and planning has been accomplished by students who have participated in the domestic and sexual violence classes offered by the Women's Studies Department. Faculty coordinator is Margi Laird McCue.

Schedule

Presenters

S. Renee Mitchell
Tangoing With Tornadoes, written, produced and starring S. Renee Mitchell, is a gorgeously written choreopoemthat uses live music, poetry and dance to untangle the secret web of emotional and verbal abuse.

"This play is a big part of my healing process from experiencingdomestic violence," says Mitchell, a longtime community volunteer. "Mymission is to empower more women with knowledge so they don't have to go through what I went through. And if they already have, to teachthem how to heal from it."

S. Renee Mitchell, a single mom of three, writes an award-winningcolumn twice a week for The Oregonian and is a founding partner of theUnited Way-funded Healing Roots Center, a drop-in and referral agencyfor black women who are experiencing domestic violence. Renee'stireless and creative work to support survivors of domestic violenceresulted in her being selected as one of 2006's 21 Leaders of the 21st Century by New York City-based Women eNews. Last year, Renee, anauthor, novelist and playwright, was nominated for the 2005 PulitzerPrize for commentary. She is also an engaging public speaker, a beaded jewelry creator, a graphic designer, a multi-media artist and afrequent public-school volunteer.

Paul Kivel, social justice educator, activist, andwriter, has been an innovative leader in violence prevention for morethan 27 years. He is an accomplished trainer and speaker on men's issues, racism and diversity, challenges of youth, teen dating andfamily violence, raising boys to manhood, and the impact of class and power on daily life. Paul has developed highly effectiveparticipatory and interactive methodologies for training youth and adults in a variety of settings.

Kivel is the author of numerous books and curricula including Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for RacialJustice, which won the 1996 Gustavus Myers Award for best book on human rights, Men's Work, Making the Peace, Helping Teens Stop Violence, Boys Will Be Men, I Can Make My World A Safer Place,and most recently, You Call This a Democracy?: Who Benefits, Who Pays, and Who Really Decides.

Workshops

1. Police Investigations of Domestic Violence inmulticultural communities

   The section will examine cultural differences and how they impactpolice investigations, techniques used to overcome these barriers and will draw on examples from actual investigations.

   Presenter:	Sgt. Greg Stewart
   	Domestic Violence Reduction Unit
   	Portland Police Bureau

2. Working with Sexual and Gender Minority Survivors of Domestic Violence

   This interactive workshop will focus on sexual and gender minority survivors of domestic violence. We will begin by identifying who makes up this community and learning some commonly used language. From there we'll examine stereotypes and barriers that impact theLGBTIQ survivor's access to help. Finally, we will discuss resources for supporting LGBTIQ survivors and ways to be an ally.

   Presenter:	Melissa Adams
   	Sexual and Gender Minority Services Coordinator
   	Bradley-Angle House

3. Survivors of Domestic and Sexual violence who are physically or mentally challenged.

   Discussion will include understanding Disability as an area of Cultural Competency; membership in multiple minority groups(disability, gender identity, ethnicity, etc.), unraveling stereotypes of Disability; learning about disability-specific forms of abuse;providing accommodations (including organizational policies/proceduresand attitudinal accessibility); discussing safety-planning options for persons with disabilities; and working with - or advocating for - survivors who have disabilities in a respectful manner.

   Presenter: Beckie Child, a research associate and graduate student in the MSW/Ph.D. program at Portland State University

4. Strengths of, and barriers faced by, Latino Victims/Survivors of Domestic Violence

   Project UNICA of Catholic Charities/El Programa Hispano has served the Latino community affected by domestic violence (DV) for 15 years.Through this workshop we share what we have learned regarding thespecific strengths and the barriers or challenges Latino participants of our programs have or experience in the process of surviving DV.

   Presenter:	Rut R. Martinez-Alicea
   	Program Manager

5. Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse in the South Asian community

   This workshop will present a brief overview of the history and services SAWERA offers; an overview of south Asian culture;difficulties South Asian women face living to the US; barriers facingSouth Asian women trying to receive assistance in a domestic violenceor sexual abuse situation; the role of case advocate to assist clientsto become more empowered and ways community members and social service workers can help and empower.

   Presenter:	Aysha Crain
   	SAWERA Case Advocate

6. Immigration Relief for Survivors of Domestic Violence.

   This workshop will include the following topics: an overview of general immigration law and terminology, the immigration relief available to assist adult and child survivors of domestic violence, what questions to ask if you think someone might be eligible for immigration help under the Violence Against Women Act or other applicable laws, and what resources are available in the community through our agency and others.

   Presenters:	Carmen Sweeney, Accredited Representative and LCSW
   	Sara Scott, Staff attorney.
   	Catholic Charities Immigration Legal Services

7. Making the Peace: Helping Teens Stop Violence

   This highly interactive workshop addresses the root causes of violencein young people's lives, drawing connections between interpersonal andself-destructive violence and the larger social issues of race, class, gender and sexual orientation. Through role playing, exercises, and interactive discussion, the workshop equips participants to bestronger, more effective allies to adolescents and young adults.

   Presenter:	Paul Kivel
   	Social Justice Educator

8. The Russian-speaking community and domestic violence

   This workshop will present a general overview and information aboutthe local Russian-speaking community and their perception of domestic violence; information about challenges and barriers that Russian-speaking battered women face and how we overcome these challenges by providing culturally-specific services; and tips in working with Russian-speaking battered women.

   Presenter:	Karina Rutova
   	Russian Oregon Social Service

9. Domestic and Sexual Violence in the African American Community

   This workshop provides participants with an opportunity to exploredomestic violence and sexual assault in the lives of African Americansurvivors. We will identify the culturally specific barriers, explorebest practices and learn practical tools for working with marginalized communities.

   Presenter:	Vanessa Timmons
   	Program Coordinator
   	Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence

10. DV/SA Advocacy for Native women and children

    There are many barriers to safety that women leaving violent relationships face, Native women even more so: racism, limited resources, distrust of legal system and DHS, and historical trauma. Understanding these barriers, the survival skills Native survivors possess, and Native history is essential to providing culturally sensitive assistance and advocacy.

    Presenter:	Naomi Harris, MSW.LCSW
    	Domestic Violence Victim's Advocate NAYA Family Center Healing Circle