Improve Media Reporting of Violence

Level Up, a feminist organization in the UK, has published guidelines for the press on improving how domestic violence is reported. These guidelines broadly apply to any reporting of gender-based violence. 

You can use the following guidelines to evaluate news articles about domestic violence.

Accountability: does the article place responsibility solely on perpetrators of violence?

Accuracy: does it accurately name the crime as domestic violence?

Dignity: does it avoid sensationalizing language, invasive or graphic details.

Equality: does it avoid insensitive or trivializing language or images. Does it use words and images that emphasize the seriousness and danger of domestic violence.

Images: does it avoid using stock images that reinforce myths about domestic violence. Does it use images that reveal the personhood of those who experience violence.

Boundaries During a Pandemic

If you're struggling with boundaries during social distancing, you're not alone. Resolve (IMPACT New Mexico) staff member Marie Schow says boundaries continue to be important and that it continues to be important to respect the limits that we set while recognizing the needs of others around us.

Resolve staff spends a lot of time talking about boundaries – how to set them, how to respect them, and why they’re important. They know boundaries are the key to feeling safe and happy in all realms of life. Boundaries are an expression of love and care. And right now, during an unprecedented health crisis, boundaries are more important than ever.

Read more about Marie's perspective on Boundaries during a Pandemic.

What is an Authentic Apology for Committing Sexual Violence?

In her Ted Talk "The Alchemy of an Apology,"  Eve Ensler, playwright and activist, outlines four steps to an authentic apology for committing sexual violence:

• Self-interrogate: what contributed to your being capable of sexual violence?
• Undertake a detailed account of what you did
• Open your heart and allow yourself to feel what the person(s) you victimized felt.
• Take responsibility for your actions.

A New Era of Boundary Setting

In "A New Era of Boundary Setting," Shay Orent from sister chapter IMPACT Boston says that "being able to set clear boundaries now is more important than ever in order to PROTECT ourselves and our community." 

She writes about what has and hasn't changed, examples of ways we can model good boundary setting, and reminders why effective boundary setting is so important now. Check out "A New Era of Boundary Setting."

Thank you, Shay!

IMPACT and Empowerment Self-Defense Online

Until we are able to resume our in-person classes and workshops, IMPACT and Empowerment Self-Defense Organizations are offering some online programs that you may be interested in.

IMPACT Bay Area

Online Intro to Personal Safety (Free)

Wednesday, April 1, 8-9 pm CT

Register here

Online Verbal Strategies for Boundary Setting and De-escalation (Free)

Thursday, April 2, 8-9 pm CT

Register here

IMPACT Boston

Online Assertiveness & Boundary Setting Workshop (Free)
Thursday, April 2, 3:00 - 4:30 CT
Open to adults of all genders 18 years and older

To join

Culture of Safety (Chicago)

How to Stay Sane and Healthy in a Remote World

Saturday, April 4, 2-3 pm

Register

Defend Yourself (Washington D.C.)

Active Bystander Skills for Stopping Anti-Asian Hate

Basic Boundaries During the Pandemic

Dealing with Too Much Togetherness

For more information

Strategic Living (Seattle,Washington)

Self-Defense 101 (6 week course)

For more information

Update March 31, 3:30 pm: Due to COVID-19, IMPACT Chicago programs and workshops have been canceled through April 30 following Governor Pritzker’s extension of stay-at-home & school closures. As official information and guidelines are updated and affect our program offerings, we will send updates to program participants and to our entire community via email, on our website, and through our Facebook page.

What Can Empowerment Self-Defense Lessons Offer Us During a Pandemic?

Sister IMPACT Chapter Prepare in NYC offers insights into "What Can Empowerment Self-Defense Lessons Offer Us During a Pandemic" and how protecting public health is a form of self-defense because it keeps us all safer.

• Safer physical boundaries might be the highest expression of love as we heed the call to implement social distancing measures

• Verbal and physical boundary-setting is a life skill for a variety of challenging situations

• Flattening the curve to slow the spread, protect the most vulnerable, and to ensure that our healthcare workers and institutions can respond at capacity, requires each of us to enact and sustain a new set of boundaries in the interest of public health.

In the full blog, Prepare identifies IMPACT Core Principles and how they apply to physical distancing and COVID-19. 

You can find the full blog HERE.

Thank you, Prepare!

Say Something Superhero

Say Something Superhero Field Guide: A Manual for Eliminating Interpersonal Violence is a project of Safe Passage, Inc. in Northhampton MA which draws upon the anti-violence work of Lynne Marie Wanamaker, ESD Instructor and co-founder of the Empowerment Self-Defense Alliance (ESDA).

It can be awkward being a "Say Something Superhero," that is, bringing attention to behavior  (and by doing so to yourself) that you would like to see changed. Check out the manual for details (link above) but here are some highlights:

• Know that you can make a difference

• Acknowledge the awkward

• Know your objective

• People are watching

• Expect feelings

• Remember: You didn't invite the icky

• Connect with like-minded others