1. Kathy Jones, Program Chair
Rocky Mountain Region Conference
April 2019
Hello! My name is Kathy Jones and I am your Rocky Mountain Region Program Chair.
© Soroptimist International of the Americas, Inc. ®

2. Soroptimists Ending Gender-Based Violence
Before I begin… can I see a show of hands… How many people here are proud to be a Soroptimist? [pause and look at audience] And how many of you are passionate about ending gender-based violence including domestic violence, human trafficking, teen dating violence? [pause and look at audience] Great – me too! And we’re going to spend some time today considering how we can combine these two things we’re passionate about…
1. Being a Soroptimist, and
2. Addressing gender-based violence.

3. Domestic Violence Risk Factors
Low self-esteem
Low education level
Unemployment
Low income
Depression
Alcohol/drug use
Unplanned pregnancy
Social isolation
First, let’s consider… how does a woman end up facing an obstacle like domestic violence? Research tells us there are many risk factors, including: low self-esteem and low levels of education, economic stressors such as unemployment or a low income, depression and other mental health issues, alcohol and drug use, an unplanned pregnancy, or having few friends and being isolated from other people and support systems.

4. Trafficking Risk Factors
Abuse
Neglect
Parental substance abuse
Foster care system
Limited education
Limited economic opportunities
And what about sex trafficking? What makes women or girls more vulnerable to this obstacle? Well girls facing abuse, neglect or parental substance abuse are at the greatest risk for trafficking. And most girls who are victims of trafficking have been involved with the foster care system at one point in their lives. We also know limited education and limited economic opportunities increase women’s risk of being trafficked.

5. Teen Dating Violence Risk Factors
Poverty
Disadvantaged
homes
Violence
Harsh parenting
Low self-esteem
Anger/Depression
Less likely to solve problems via social support
Then there’s teen dating violence. And girls who face poverty, or come from disadvantaged homes, who are exposed to community or neighborhood violence, or have been exposed to harsh parenting, who have low self-esteem, or anger or depressed moods, or who are less likely to solve problems by seeking social support are more likely to face the obstacle of teen dating violence.

6. What do women and girls need?
So what do you think women and girls in these situations need? [pause to allow time for thinking]

7. Gender-Based Violence Protective Factors
SOCIAL SUPPORT
ECONOMIC STABILITY
EDUCATION
There’s a lot of research, all pointing to three main things women and girls need to prevent or recover from gender-based violence. They need social support, including: coordinated, quality resources and response services, availability of safe spaces and shelters, high quality friendships, role models and mentors, and a connection to community, such as a faith community or support group. They also need economic stability, meaning steady employment and the ability to earn a livable wage. Finally, women and girls need education. Academic achievement and the completion of secondary school is important to success, as is access to skills training.
So here is where our Soroptimist Dream Programs come in…

8. & Gender-Based Violence
Domestic violence
Sexual assault
Child abuse
Trafficking
Prostitution
US$ 2.4 million
1,595 women
Increased:
Education
Standard of Living
Self-Esteem
Safe Environment
Part of the Soroptimist experience is participating in our signature Live Your Dream Awards. Together, we’re able to create opportunity for women to re-build after obstacles such as domestic violence, trafficking, and sexual assault.
More than half of the Live Your Dream Award recipients say they experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, trafficking, or prostitution. Just last year, Soroptimists collectively provided over USD$2.4 million to 1,595 women across our federation. Women who receive a Live Your Dream Award report increased levels of education, standard of living, and self-esteem. Now almost all of the recipients who reported a history of violence are living in a safe environment.

9. & Gender-Based Violence
Foster care
Witnessed violence
Not on track to graduate
Additional social support
14,000+ girls
14 countries
(35,000+ total!)
More powerful than any obstacle
Make a difference
Taught to hope
Loved relating to adults
Being a Soroptimist also means supporting our other signature program, Dream It, Be It. By working together as one, we’re able to create transformative experiences for girls, including girls in the foster care system, girls who have witnessed violence in their families or communities, girls who aren’t on track to graduate secondary school, or girls who need additional social support to succeed. Last year alone, Soroptimists working together across our federation reached more than 14,000 girls across 14 countries with Dream It, Be It, bringing the grand total of girls served since the program began just a few years ago to more than 35,000 girls! Not only do Soroptimists have a broad reach with Dream It, Be It, we have a deep and meaningful reach too. Girls who participate tell us they learned they are more powerful than any obstacle, and that they can make a difference. They say Dream It, Be It taught them to hope, and that they love relating to adults who want to listen and help plan for their future dreams.

10. Group Discussion
What possibilities exist for using our Soroptimist Dream Programs as a strategy to respond to gender-based violence?
Now, please work with others at your table/sitting around you. For the next ten minutes, discuss the questions on your handout and use the space provided to write down notes from your discussion.

11. Possible Ideas
Designate one Award to survivor of domestic violence or trafficking
Add one Award specifically for a survivor of domestic violence or trafficking
Distribute flyers to agencies that serve domestic violence/trafficking victims
Host application workshops at those agencies
Work with support services at local colleges
Time is up! Let’s come back together as a large group.
I’m sure your small groups came up with some excellent and creative ideas. Here are some possible ideas for our Live Your Dream Awards you may or may not have already thought of…
Designate one of your club’s Live Your Dream Award to a survivor of domestic violence or trafficking
Add another Live Your Dream Award specifically for a survivor of domestic violence or trafficking
Distribute flyers to agencies that serve domestic violence/trafficking victims and host application workshops at those agencies
Work with support services at local colleges, which are a typical point of contact for women re-entering education, including those who face obstacles due to violence, trafficking, poverty, etc.

12. Possible Ideas Partner with:
Continuation/alternative/vocational schools
Foster care service providers
Homeless service
providers
And here are some ideas for how to use Dream It, Be It to prevent gender-based violence…
Partner with continuation/alternative/vocational schools (more girls at-risk there)
Partner with foster care service providers
Partner with homeless service providers

13. Next Steps Bring ideas back to club Incorporate into 19-20 planning
Prepare for
Big Goal!
Thank you all for your ideas and discussions today. Please continue to brainstorm and discuss your ideas with one another about how we can use our Soroptimist Dream Programs to address the obstacles of domestic violence, trafficking, teen dating violence, and other forms of gender-based violence that get in the way of women and girls living their dreams. Bring your ideas – those you wrote on your handouts and any other ideas you come up with - back to your club and think about how you can incorporate them into your club year planning and beyond.
As Soroptimists, we have an audacious Big Goal beginning in 2021 to reach half a million women and girls over ten years. To accomplish this goal, we need to start preparing now. By making shifts in the way your club works, we can take action on the issues we’re passionate about and support our organization’s Big Goal!

14. kathyworthen@ icloud.com
THANK YOU!
Kathy Jones
icloud.com
Remember, you’re not doing this alone and there are resources to help you. Here is my contact information so you can follow up with any questions or requests for support. Thank you!