Maryland Statewide Domestic Violence Conference Reclaim. Renew. Restore. 

We invite the community to reclaim and renew our faith and commitment to preventing intimate partner violence.  Together, we can restore our compassion and will to heal from harm.  

Agenda

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

10:00 AM      

Virtual Emcee: Aishah Shahidah Simmons

Welcome Remarks:  Jennifer Pollitt Hill, Interim Executive Director

Keynote Speaker: Alicia Sanchez Gill, Executive Director of Emergent Fund

10:45 AM-12:30 PM

Opening Plenary: Multi-tiered Approach Presentation by Theresa Hiegel, Danielle Brandon, and Corporal Mike Davies

This session discusses the tragic story of Donna Laudick who was murdered by her husband, Robert "Glen" Laudick. Donna's daughter, Danielle Brandon collaborates with the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office to reveal details of the case. They also explore the dynamics of manipulation, and address concerns and needs of a surviving family member.

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Session 1: Intimate Partner Violence Among Black Gay and Bisexual Men: Examining the Issues of Structural Racism and Systemic Oppression by Dr. Durryle Brooks, John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health

This session will explore local and regional data on IPV among Black, gay and bisexual men and critically examine structural issues that prevent these men from accessing services. This session will conclude with an exploration of strategies focused on an intersectional justice approach to shifting the field of IPV toward greater inclusion.

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Session 2: Addressing Domestic Violence in the American Muslim Community by Rahmah A. Abdulaleem from KARAMAH Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights and Aisha Rahman from Sugarlimb Consulting and the Baig Firm.

This workshop will focus on the intersections between Islam and gender-based violence & supporting Muslim survivors of interpersonal violence. It is designed to address a multi-disciplinary audience including: adults/parents, religious leaders, social services staff, board members, and state agencies (DV and SA).

Thursday, August 27, 2020

10:00 AM -12:00 PM           

Session 3: Using the Lens of Systemic Oppression to Redesign Abuse Intervention Programs by Lisa Nitsch and Angelique Green-Manning, House of Ruth Maryland

House of Ruth Maryland has transformed the way they offer intervention services for abusive partners. Their focus on cultural relevance and accessibility led to the development of a unique approach that includes wrap-around services for participants that aim to increase engagement and reduce lethality. With an emphasis on their process Lisa will share their vision of a holistic approach to engaging abusive partners while maintaining their focus on survivor safety.

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Session 4: Fireside Chat on Improving Response for Rural Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence with Jeanne Yeager, Executive Director of Mid-Shore Council on Family Violence (MSCFV) & Panelists Christine DeBastiani (Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy), Grace Fansler Boudreau (University of Maryland 's CARE to Stop Violence program), Fawn (Survivor-Advocate), Katelyn Kennell-Gaither (Family Crisis Resource Center), and Robin Sample (MSCFV).

Jeanne Yeager presents recent research and discusses the state of domestic violence in rural Maryland. This often overlooked population of intimate partner violence survivors has unique needs. Jeanne will be joined by leaders in the field to review and discuss the short film,“Domestic Violence in Rural America: Survivors’ Stories.” The panelists listed above will also discuss the similarities and differences in providing services in different rural communities in Maryland and answer questions from attendees on how to improve services to survivors in rural areas across the state.

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Session 5: Strengthening Community Responses to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Gender-Nonconforming Survivors by Colleen Armstrong and Helen McDonald from Fairfax County Domestic and Sexual Violence Services

This training will use interactive activities, case-scenarios, and an experiential study of LGBTQ-GNC oppression to help domestic and sexual violence service providers create safer, more welcoming and inclusive environments within their programs for LGBTQ -GNC survivors. The training will also strengthen community responses to LGBTQ- GNC individuals seeking services through an intersectional lens that examines how systems of oppression, unique experiences of intimate partner violence, and institutional bias can shape experiences for our queer and transgender community members.

Friday, August 28, 2020

10:00 AM -12:00 PM           

Closing Keynote Speaker : Lydia Watts, Executive Director of the Rebuild, Overcome, and Rise (ROAR) Center

1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Session 6: Closer to Freedom: Envisioning a World Where Black Women Aren't Seen as Angry and UnWhole by Ayana Wallace from Ujima

This workshops seeks to examine the intersections of race, class, and gender and how racialized tropes have not only manifested but are perpetuated and continue to impact Black women survivors and advocates alike. Through dynamic and interactive discourse we will explore strategies that will shift power toward collective liberation in the workplace and for survivors who seek justice. We will critique the ways in which advocacy becomes performative when staff of color, specifically Black women, experience inequity and micro-aggressions in the workplace and other “safe spaces.”

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Session 7: When Cultural Competency & Intersectionality Backfire by Veronica Quinonez of JCADA

As more individuals gain an understanding of intersectionality and aim for inclusivity we must stop and ask ourselves if our efforts have unintended consequences. When navigating higher education and nonprofits, one cannot help but draw parallels to white supremacist colonial archetypes. Even the most well intentioned efforts, language, and programs can actually mimic what our colonizers did to our ancestors or living relatives. This program aims to raise awareness about such unintended consequences.

Please note that ticket sales are non-refundable. Questions? Email Lucane LaFortune llafortune@mnadv.org, call 301-852-3823.

Who Should Attend?

Any professional that works directly with domestic violence survivors, their children, or abusers:

• Domestic Violence Service Providers (Shelter Staff, Advocates, Therapists, Abuser Intervention Staff)
• Government Social Service Employees (Adult Protective Services, Child Welfare, DHS, Supervised Visitation, Juvenile Services)
• Law Enforcement (Patrol, Supervisors, Probation/Parole, Corrections)
• Legal/Court (Attorneys, Victim-Witness Specialists, Judges, Clerks)
• Education (K-12, Campus Disciplinary, Title IX, Faculty)
• Community-Based (Substance Use Professionals, Immigration, Transitional Housing)
• Health Care (Nurses, Physicians, Community Health Advocates, Mental Health Providers)
• Faith/Religious Leaders

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Are Social Work CEUs available? Yes! 5 hours of Category 1 Social Work CEUs are available.
• How much are Social Work CEU’s?Social Work CEUs are free if you are an Individual Member of MNADV, or you work or volunteer for an organization that is a Member of MNADV. The cost is $15 for non-members. 
• What is your cancellation policy?Tickets for the conference are non-refundable, but are transferable to another individual in your agency or organization. If you need to change the attendees, please do so at least one week in advance. To do so, please email info@mnadv.org or call 301-429-3601.
• I can’t make it anymore, but my colleague can. Can this person take my place?Yes - tickets are transferable to another individual in your agency or organization. If you need to change the attendees, please do so at least one week in advance. To do so, please email info@mnadv.org or call 301-429-3601.
• I can only attend part of the conference, can I still register? Yes – This is a virtual conference. Once you have the access link, you will be able to logon throughout the duration of the conference.