VAWnet News Blog

C. Jay Smith, who's serving 25 years to life at San Quentin, could face 10 more years behind bars after she made a sex abuse complaint, her lawsuit says.

While the first priority must always be safety and support for survivors, faith leaders are also charged with the spiritual care of those who abuse. In our July TAQ, Dr. Anne Marie Hunter and Dr. David Adams offer insight into how faith communities can respond to those who cause harm.

"A healing-centered approach to addressing trauma requires a different question that moves beyond 'what happened to you' to 'what’s right with you' and views those exposed to trauma as agents in the creation of their own well-being rather than victims of traumatic events." – Dr. Shawn Ginwright

“For me it is emotional. Because I scream for me, but I also scream for my sisters and brothers, I scream for all the other children who lost a mother or a father, and I also scream for my mother, who would have screamed if she was still here."

"Domestic violence is inextricability linked to all forms of violence, and to end domestic violence, we must dismantle anti-Blackness, other types of racism, discrimination, and structures that perpetuate oppression."

As advocates and preventionists, we often name safety, healing, and prevention as both our priorities and core values. We want to center these things, not only for survivors of gender-based violence but for all communities. Those conversations around what actually keeps us safe, what actually allows survivors and communities to heal and thrive, and what will actually end violence, need to address the inadequacies and harm inherent in incarceration and policing.