Welcome to the 2022 September issue of Volunteer Voices, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) volunteers.
In this Issue:
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Dear Volunteers,
Thank you for your continued support and all you do for the community to make this happen!
Why not change the world? That was the slogan I saw and listened to every day when I was studying at school. It seemed so far away, something from another world, but little by little it changed me. Looking back on my life, I was asking myself and living based on why not start with me? Thanks to this mindset, I had a chance to work in some Latin American countries and in Japan, where I learned Japanese with the volunteers! Thanks to them, I survived some years there! Each of you, our volunteers, have already initiated this why not change the world mindset. Why not start with me?
Step by step, as a volunteer, you help, assist, and support people and the community. We may not see the differences or improvements right now, but sometime later when we look back, we will notice the differences in our lives and the lives of others. Everyone’s relationship begins with family, which is the first community people meet and are born into automatically. A place where we learn how to put on our shoes, eat with a fork, and express our emotions; fundamental skills that teach us how to live, learn, serve, survive, and carry on with other members of society. However, it is sad that the unique and first community they joined automatically can be nice for some, yet terrible for others. Together, we will help each other and give victims and survivors the gift of hope, which should be equal for all.
Hey! This is Chi Sook Park. I joined the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) team in March 2022. I’m still in the process of training, learning, and getting new things. I’m very happy to be a part of a team that serves and supports the community.
I hope to meet you soon!
With Gratitude
Chi Sook Park
Administrative Assistant
Take a Walk!
Research has long touted the physical benefits of walking—a healthier heart, weight control, boosted circulation, increased oxygen intake—but the practice can also help you lower stress, making it the perfect activity to add to your self-care repertoire.
Cultivating Seeds of Equity and Justice
Defining Bias
Unconscious biases are formed throughout our lives and are held at the subconscious level. As we gather millions of bits of information, our brain processes it in a certain way based on our societal and parental conditioning. Though most of us have difficulty accepting or acknowledging that we have biases, we all do. Implicit biases are everywhere, from our choice of where to live to the people we allow to be our friends, and it affects us more than we know. Learn more about bias.
In this timeless TED Talk, Jackson Katz, Ph.D., anti-sexist activist and expert on violence, media, and masculinities, educates us on why violence against women is everybody’s issue.
This 10-point fact sheet provides guidance to men who are looking for ways to challenge and help end violence against women, including self-examination and peer education.
In July, the federal government rolled out a new mental health crisis and support line. By calling or texting 9-8-8, residents across the United States can access mental health care support 24 hours a day.
This support line is critical to connect people in need with life-saving services. It is just one of the tools in Fairfax County’s approach to providing holistic behavioral health care to all its citizens.
For instance, in addition to 9-8-8, the Fairfax-Falls Church Community Services Board (CSB) offers 24/7 emergency behavioral health services to residents of Fairfax County and the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church. Mobile crisis units, walk-in emergency services, and substance use and detox programs are available to residents.
Fairfax also ensures that first responders recognize a mental health crisis and can refer residents to appropriate services. Fairfax County police, the Sheriff's office, and CSB partner to provide Crisis Intervention Training (including 40 hours of instruction, simulation, and practical exercises) to officers and deputies.
Behavioral health challenges are complex. The 9-8-8 line allows Fairfax County to be flexible in its response to residents in need.
“To move forward, you have to give back.” –Oprah Winfrey
Each newsletter will include this section to help share reviews, spotlight the people who support Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, recognize birthdays and list upcoming trainings and meetings.
Several DVAC partners—Juvenile Domestic Relations District Court, Legal Services of Northern Virginia, the Commonwealth Attorney, Jewish Coalition Against Domestic Abuse (JCADA), Ayuda, and Tahirih Justice Center—provide legal assistance for survivors, covering everything from civil and emergency protective orders and custody to immigration law and safety planning. Find out more about how these partners support victims of interpersonal violence.
"Untold: Deal with the Devil"
This inspiring episode of “Untold” features the remarkable Christy Salters Martin. Martin is not only a fighter but also a domestic and sexual violence survivor. Through it all, she finds a way forward, finally living her truth and revealing to the world that her strength far outweighs what she demonstrated in the boxing ring, and her most satisfying victory would come in a courtroom.
She was known as "the coal miner’s daughter." World-famous boxing promoter Don King called her "the First Lady of Boxing." For years, Christy Martin kept many closely guarded secrets, including enduring abuse at the hands of her trainer/husband, Jim, who was 25 years her senior.
Martin’s story begins in 1986 in Bloomfield, West Virginia. As a novice boxer, then known as Christy Salters, she was introduced to Jim. As Martin states, "When I married Jim, I married boxing." The event that put Martin on the boxing map was the 1989 Bruno vs. Tyson fight. Martin was scheduled to fight Ireland’s Deirdre Gogerty in the undercard fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Over 80 million viewers watched the pay-per-view fights that night. "The fight put ladies' boxing on the map," said former heavyweight champ Mike Tyson.
Martin was quickly catapulted into the limelight, appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated and in endless television appearances. After seven years of winning fight after fight, Martin was ready for the next level of trainer. Wanting to maintain control over Martin, Jim would not allow it. Instead, he hit Martin so hard she lost consciousness. She stated he wanted to remind her "who was the boss."
In 2003, Martin was scheduled to fight Laila Ali in what was the biggest fight in women’s boxing history. Martin was outmatched on many levels by the formidable Ali and was forced to take a knee during the fight to prevent a career-ending injury. Instead of checking on the welfare of his badly injured prizefighter wife, Jim catered to the press to ensure his career as her trainer would continue.
By 2008, Martin was fully engulfed in a cocaine habit that Jim encouraged, as he was her main supplier. He began secretly video recording Martin and taking compromising photographs. Martin described Jim as "the puppet master." By this time, Jim had fully manipulated Martin’s parents; she wanted to quit boxing, and she wanted to divorce Jim. Since Jim was financially dependent on Martin, she drew up contracts, agreeing to pay Jim’s expenses, believing he would finally let her go. Instead, he responded by knocking out her tooth.
In late 2010, Martin reunited with her high school friend Sherry Lusk via Facebook. Quickly it became clear to both Martin and Lusk their long-forgotten bond still existed. When Martin and Lusk finally reunited in person, Jim went on an all-out assault, sending compromising pictures of Martin to her family, friends, and associates. Not getting a reaction from Martin, Jim stalked the women, eventually forcing Martin to return home with him.
Less than 24 hours later, Jim attacked Martin, stabbing her multiple times, only stopping when his own hand was injured. He later returned to Martin, who was critically injured, and shot her in the back with her own handgun. When Martin later heard the shower running, she knew this might be the only chance to escape. She ran. Rick Cole, a passing motorist, stopped his vehicle, taking Martin to the hospital, saving her life.
Still siding with Jim, Martin’s mother initially placed the blame for the incident on Martin’s relationship with Lusk. Undaunted by the attack, Martin turned to her original cut man, Miguel Diaz, to be her new trainer. Diaz trained Martin while she was on the road to recovery, with a bullet remaining in her back. Martin (49-5) would go on to fight in 2011 against Dakota Stone, only to lose due to a decision in the last round to stop the fight because Martin had broken her hand.
During reconstructive surgery on her hand, Martin suffered a stroke, but that, too, she survived. Lusk stood in support of Martin through her medical recovery and Jim’s trial. Ultimately, they ended their romance, but remain friends to this day. Jim was found guilty of attempted murder and received a 25-year sentence. Martin said of the verdict, "That was the biggest win of my life."
The review was written by Audrey J. Arnold, ADAPT co-facilitator.
Meet Teri Douglas, ADAPT Volunteer
"Volunteering increases your sphere of influence. Doing something for your loved ones or close friends and acquaintances is par for the course," says Teri Douglas, ADAPT volunteer. "But stepping outside of that bubble and giving to someone else opens you up to growing and developing." Read more of Teri's volunteer experience.
July
Adrienne Williams, 4
Elisabeth Chu, 9
Danielka Zeledon, 9
Abigail Wescott, 12
Montgomery Johnson, 14
Anuradha Vutukuri, 19
Julie Collins, 21
Shiloah Kline, 21
Emily Hendrickson, 24
Lauren Rainford, 24
Sasala Challa, 30
Alejandra Romero, 30
Christina McCarthy, 31
August
Maria Moran Valencia, 3
Sammar Butt, 4
Ashley Kotania, 5
Lorena Guerrero, 6
Bindi Mandava, 15
Tina Mather, 18
Wendy Werner, 18
Kemanyi Nix, 20
Levette Fondaumiere, 23
September
Gregory Hanson, 1
Shirleen Rahman, 1
Tanisha Cox, 10
Lakisha Chinn, 11
Victor Batson, 12
Marjorie Braxton, 12
Amanda Lee, 13
Maria Sayrs, 19
Rachel McCann, 20
Ronda DeVore, 25
Audrey Arnold, 28
Lucinda Audey, 28
Take a stab at this month's brain teaser with this crossword puzzle, Piecing It Together.
Anti-Blackness in Sex Education
Friday, Sept. 9 2022, 10 a.m.
As educators and youth advocates we must do the work of identifying anti-Blackness within sex education and sexual health and its impacts on Black youth. Our hope is that after the workshop attendees feel better equipped to recognize, reflect on, and interrupt anti-Blackness within topics related to sexual health. We’ll explore what factors impact sexual health outcomes for Black youth and reflect on, gather, and share strategies and tools we can use in our work. This will happen as we review statistics, videos, and quotes with ample time for discussion and reflection. This is an opportunity to deepen or add to your process and understanding of uprooting white supremacy in our work. This webinar is free, but registration is required.
Teen Advocates Program
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services and Neighborhood and Community Services are recruiting for this year's cohort of Teen Advocates! This program is for teens ages 12-19 who are eager to build leadership skills and passionate about promoting healthy relationships and consent. For an application, contact Debra Miller or apply online. The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 9, 2022.
Tier Two: Understanding the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on LGBTQIA+ Survivors and Communities
Wednesday, Sept. 21, 1-2:30 p.m.
LGBTQIA+ people are at a disproportionate risk of experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime compared to those who identify as heterosexual and cisgender. In addition to higher rates of victimization, isolation experienced by LGBTQIA+ survivors as a result of sexual and domestic violence can be amplified by a lack of safe, comprehensive, and welcoming services. Presented by the Virginia Anti-Violence Project, this training will discuss LGBTQ+ terminology, how professionals can provide culturally relevant and trauma-informed support for LGBTQIA+ survivors, and how to advocate for clients experiencing stigma when accessing other resources. This webinar is free, but registration is required.
Crime after Crime Screening and Panel Discussion
Tuesday, Oct. 11, 6-8:30 p.m.
Join Fairfax County Department of Family Services and Domestic and Sexual Violence Services for a special screening of “Crime After Crime,” a documentary about incarcerated domestic violence survivor Debbie Peagler’s decades-long fight for her freedom. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion about the criminalization of survivors of intimate partner violence, and how those survivors are often forced to defend themselves against their abuser as well as the justice system. Attendance is free, but registration is required.
Fall Tier One Training
Saturdays, Oct. 22 & 29, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tier 1 is a training on the dynamics of domestic violence, the systems that respond to those crimes, and available resources in our community. This 16-hour training is free, but registration is required.
What kind of trainings interest you? Send your ideas to Tanisha Cox.
There are no quarterly trainings this month.
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of August. Please also log any time you spent on training under “volunteer training.” If you do not see this selection under your opportunities, please email Tanisha Cox, and she will log on to add it to your account.
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Please enter your hours for each day you volunteered and not as a lump sum.
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If you need to log hours for a previous month, please email Tanisha Cox to let her know so she can be aware of the entry and expedite the approval process.
Check out past issues of Volunteer Voices.