Training

Organization:BWJP
Resource Type: Podcast
Description: The criminalization of survivors of gender-based violence is not new. Survivors end up inside the criminal justice system in so many ways. In this episode, Cindene Pezzell, Legal Director of the National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women, and the Taking Back Control team discuss what they would do to fix how the criminal justice system relates to survivors.

Podcast: Criminal
Resource Type: Podcast Episode
Description: Kim Dadou says she wishes she had a nickel for every person who has asked why she didn’t leave her abusive boyfriend Darnell Sanders. The two dated for four years and Darnell Sanders was routinely violent. But in the middle of the night on December 17th, 1991, Kim Dadou’s entire life changed.

This episode contains descriptions of physical violence against women. It may not be suitable for everyone. Please use discretion.

Organization: NYSCADV
Resource Type: Webinar
Description: To be a part of this movement is to understand the needs of survivors who have been criminalized. This panel discussion uplifts the lived experiences of survivors who have been criminalized, as well as their recommendations for advocates to dismantle barriers. Featured panelists included Sharon White-Harrigan, Patrice Smith, and Monica Szlekovics.

Organization: The Sentencing Project
Resource Type: Webinar
Description: This webinar discussed the latest research and advocacy around second look reforms. Panelists highlighted California’s prosecutor-initiated sentencing reviews, DC’s Second Look Amendment Act—impacting up to 29% of its imprisoned population, and the campaign for an Elder Parole bill in New York State.

Organization: NYSCADV
Resource Type: Panel Discussion
Description: Permeated by racism, misogyny and the flawed narrative of “the perfect victim,” the criminal legal system doesn’t always get it right. This is especially true when it comes to survivors who are criminalized, often for defending themselves from abusive partners. The film screening of “And So I Stayed” was followed by a panel discussion featuring Kim Dadou Brown, Monica Szlekovics, and Natalie Pattillo. The goal of the panel is to provide insight and knowledge, from survivors and advocates, framing a path forward that dismantles barriers and expands resources for all survivors.

Organization: NYSCADV
Resource Type: Webinar
Description: This panel of victim service organizations currently providing comprehensive support services to criminalized survivors. Participants learned the specific harm the criminal legal system causes to IPV survivors and the value of grounding supportive work in the tenets of healing-centered, anti-oppressive practice. Panelists described how their organizations initiated their criminalized survivor support programs, the benefits and challenges of the work, and new opportunities for supporting criminalized survivors with the passage of the Domestic Violence Survivor Justice Act.

Organization: Safe Horizon/BWJP
Resource Type: Webinar
Description: When working with survivors it is critical to center trauma informed. survivor centered practices. This webinar dives into how to successfully implement these practices when working with the criminal justice system.

Organization: Survived and Punished/API-GBV
Resource Type: Workshop

Organization: Sanctuary for Families / IGVSI
Resource Type: Webinar
Description: Watch this informative panel discussion about Sanctuary For Families' Incarcerated Gender Violence Survivors Initiative, a cutting-edge program created to address the grave injustices suffered by victims of gender violence at the hands of the criminal justice system. Learn how to get invovled with the program and provide community solutions.

Organization: Moms United Against Violence and Incarceration (MUAVI) and Love & Protect
Resource Type: Webinar (in conversation)
Description: This video documents a timely conversation between feminist-abolitionist activists Monica Cosby (MUAVI, the West Side Justice Center) and Dr. Beth Richie (head of Criminology, Law, & Justice at the University of Illinois at Chicago). Panelists discuss how prison is gender violence, how incarceration replicates the power and control dynamics in abusive relationships, and why feminist work to end gender-based violence must be abolitionist. Their insights and expertise are unparalleled, and their passion for this work should motivate all of us to #FreeThemAll and to continue to build alternatives to the criminal legal system in order to create real safety in our homes and communities.

Organization: Violence Against Women Committee of the Coalition For Women Prisoners and filmmaker Allison Caviness
Resource Type: Documentary
Description: Only have 20 minutes? This resource is for you. Strength of a Woman is a 20-minute documentary created by the Violence Against Women Committee of the Coalition For Women Prisoners and filmmaker Allison Caviness about the experiences, resilience, and strength of formerly incarcerated domestic violence survivors and the devastating impact that the criminal justice system can have on women's lives. Strength of a Woman is a unique and powerful advocacy tool, which can be used to educate policymakers and the public about these critical issues.