Resurrection After Rape Community Group
Discussion, question-and-answer, general social support, and journal processing for progress-oriented rape survivors. No crisis, no damaging or triggering conflicts--this is for individuals who want to contribute to collective, cooperative action toward the goal of making actual PROGRESS through rape trauma. Much of this work is based on the book "Resurrection After...
Lucky me, I am being flown to Washington, D.C. as part of a workshop on sexual assault! The Fed is putting me up in a VERY posh hotel suite directly up the street from the Capitol Building, paying for the travel, per diem, etc. It's like I hit the big time!
Matt,
Director of How Ya Like Me Now?
:)
Matt,
Director of How Ya Like Me Now?
:)
I used to know a "gentle giant" type in Liverpool who told me he'd often get guys trying to start something with him, because they saw him as a challenge. But then again, that could just be Liverpool for you!
My uncle is 6'10" and has been mugged.
And I have to agree, I wouldn't lay awake at night worrying about the methed out moron who picks the "sturdy" guy to pick on. Just pick him up with your thumb and pointer finger and move him out of the way. Mission complete.
By the way, moving on up in the sky to a deluxe hotel room..., very snazzy! Too bad Tonya couldn't tag along for the amenities and , uh to be with you. :)
I REALLY like your title!!!!
Big hugs,
Andrea
I am enjoying myself. The hotel is fancy beyond belief--the kind of place I'm not sure I'm good enough to be in. Seriously, the bathroom has rooms! The streets here are very clean, reminding me a lot of Toronto or Madison, with amazing architecture all around. It's not too cold to walk, so I donned my Elk hide coat and spent a couple of hours walking all around, from the hotel to the National Mall and White House (which is just up the road). I know that tours continue until late hours, but it surprises me that D.C. closes so early; it's hard to find anything open after 5:30 or 6.
The training today was all technical: how to do the grant progress reports online, how to comply with federal fraud laws, etc. But I got to sit beside Tillie Black Bear, who is an elder from Rosebud Sioux Reservation whom I admire SO much! I'd never met her before, but know her work. Look for her name on youtube to see examples of her prayers at other conferences.
Every big name in sexual assault/domestic violence work is here from any state that has federal funds (sadly, Alaska is not represented, inasmuch as their sexual assault funding was cancelled by a governor...). There are about 10 men in the group. I've been talking with people from across the U.s. about their projects and how they are trying ti implement new ideas. One woman told me that her program is exploring the use of the sweat lodge as a form of healing for victims; another project director said that they are exploring the importance of organized socialization for victims, in lieu of typical "support groups" that "sit around and hash out trauma, trauma, trauma." Her concept? "Why not have women meet in casual social settings, along with a counselor or crisis advocate, to form bonds with each other?" This, she says, is what victims are telling her they need most. Gee, why not? and this, from a FEDERAL GRANT FOR VICTIMS' SERVICES!
Someone really should try that. Just sayin'.
The National Sexual Violence Resource Council is here, too, and they gave me a CD with every report they've ever written on it. The NSVRC and I have a long history of friendly association, and I was happy to finally meet some of the people in person. A lot of people here also know the book "Resurrection After Rape," and it's been nice to make friends with it.