Speakers Q-Z
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Quiroz, Jennifer. YWCA South King County Washington (United States of America)
Jennifer Quiroz has over 6 years experience specifically in domestic violence advocacy, both in shelter and predominantly in a community advocacy program. In that time, she has facilitated support groups for survivors, been out-stationed at various TANF offices working with recipients of public assistance and the workers in the offices, and worked extensively with the Latina community. She has partnered in both suburban and rural communities with the criminal-justice system and other service providers in a coordinated community response model. In addition, she has co-developed and co-facilitated the very successful “Hope and Power for Your Personal Finances” series of classes, offered in South King County, Washington. The program has run for over 5 years, offering classes in both English and Spanish, and has reached nearly 200 survivors of domestic violence and counting. She is currently the Program Manager for the Economic Resilience Program at the YWCA which includes multiple asset-building programs for both the low-income and for survivors of domestic violence in the area. Jennifer has her BA in Human Services from Western Washington University and has experience working in a variety of other social services settings, both in the United States and in Panama.
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Ramos Duffer, Martha. Psychologist (United States of America)
Martha Ramos Duffer, Psy.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist, motivational health and wellness speaker, trainer and consultant based in Austin, Texas. Dr. Ramos Duffer is the owner and founder of Quantum Possibilities, which provides a broad array of consulting, training, coaching and therapeutic services focused on personal and spiritual growth for individuals, healing and joyful relationships for couples and peak performance and healthy systems for organizations. She has taught undergraduate and graduate psychology courses at several universities in Texas, served as the Executive Director of a non profit organization focused on social and economic justice, provided psychological services through various agencies, hospitals and her own private practice, and spoken widely nationally and regionally on motivation, health and wellness. She has had the opportunity of working with varied local, regional and national organizations, developing programs and providing training to their Boards of Directors and Staff in multiple areas, helping them gain the skills and create the systems necessary to sustain a healthy workforce, carry out their missions more effectively and move toward making their visions a reality. For the past six years, Dr. Ramos Duffer has served as the Wellness Program consultant for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, leading in the development and implementation of a model comprehensive wellness program. A frequent guest on Univision’s Despierta Austin and keynote speaker at conferences around the state and nation, Dr. Ramos Duffer has become a sought after speaker and trainer in the areas of health, motivation, empowerment, growth, communication, multicultural competence and wellness.
Bandana Rana is one of the leading players of the women's movement in Nepal with more than a two-decade long active engagement in promoting women's rights and gender equality. She is currently the executive chair of Saathi an NGO working on violence against women and children in Nepal. During the conflict and post-conflict situation of Nepal, Ms. Rana led numerous national and regional research and advocacy programs for policy and legislative reforms related to women’s rights. She is a member of the UN Women South Asia Expert Group on Women Peace and Security and UNESCAP Asia Pacific Advisory Group. Ms Rana has worked as news editor/anchor for Nepal Television for twenty years and also served on the board of directors of Radio Nepal and Press Council Nepal. She was the founder and first elected president of Sancharika Samuha (Forum of Women in Media). She has also in the past served as chairperson of the National Commission for Women of Nepal.
Range, Liz. National Domestic Violence Hotline (United States of America)
Liz Range currently serves as a coordinator at the National Domestic Violence Hotline. She received her degree in Public Policy at the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas in Austin. Along with providing quality assurance, program development and supporting staff at NDVH, Liz has been instrumental in the development of curriculum for the unique training program at the Hotline. She was selected to become a member of the team that crafts and facilitates wellness sessions for other advocates, and is dedicated to implementing wellness practices throughout the organization. Liz helped create, and is active in an ongoing think-tank designed to recognize signs of, prevent, and heal secondary trauma among the advocates on the Hotline; bringing the importance of personal wellness in the DV movement to the forefront of the organization’s policies. Liz has also presented workshops on the topics of advocate self-care, crisis intervention and hotline services in Texas and across the U.S., and was a member of the Texas Council on Family Violence’s Public Policy Committee in 2010-11.
Reimer, Jan. Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (Canada)
Whether contributing to society at large as Mayor of Edmonton, or as a private citizen, Jan Reimer consistently enables social development. In her work as Provincial Coordinator of the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters, she has been instrumental in improving shelter funding and in realizing a family violence prevention strategy for Alberta, Canada. She was a key driver behind the first World Conference of Women’s Shelters held in Edmonton in 2008. Jan is one of the founding members of both the Global Network of Women’s Shelters and the Canadian Network of Women’s Shelters & Transition Houses.
Risker, Kalyn. Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (United States of America)Kalyn Risker is a survivor of domestic violence and a Human Resource Professional. Based on her experiences she founded the nonprofit organization, Sisters Acquiring Financial Empowerment (SAFE), which assists survivors of domestic violence with the appropriate financial tools and resources needed to leave or recover from the economic portion of domestic violence. SAFE’s training topics are customized for survivors of domestic violence and include Job Seeking, Resume Creation, Interviewing Skills, Customer Service, Personal Finances, Networking and Entrepreneurship. SAFE has an accomplished background of actively providing economic empowerment and access to community resources to over 480 survivors of domestic violence in the Metropolitan Detroit, Michigan (USA) area since May 2006. Kalyn Risker is a sought after national speaker regarding economic strategies for survivors of domestic violence and was honored with the National Network to End Domestic Violence’s 2009 “Spirit of Advocacy” award.
Rivers-Cochran, Julie Ann. Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (United States of America)
Julie Ann Rivers-Cochran, an advocate for survivors of domestic violence, currently holds the position of Vice President of Programs and Planning for the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (FCADV). In this position, Julie Ann is responsible for FCADV’s Program Department, which includes a dedicated staff of advocates that provide extensive training and technical assistance for Florida’s domestic violence center staff and allied professionals. Before her current position, Julie Ann was the Prevention and Social Change Initiatives Coordinator and in this role she coordinated FCADV’s primary prevention focused and CDC funded Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) Project. Prior to working for FCADV, she worked as a Homeless Advocate for the City of Miami Beach’s Neighborhood Services Department in Miami Beach, FL; the Shelter Manager for Refuge House in Tallahassee, FL; and, as a Domestic Violence Advocate for Alternatives for Battered Women in Rochester, NY. Julie Ann holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications/Journalism from St. John Fisher College and is a certified Field Traumatologist and Compassion Fatigue Educator. Since Florida’s 2004 hurricane season where four major hurricanes made landfall, Julie Ann has provided onsite disaster response and critical incident debriefing for domestic violence center staff including assisting after Hurricane Katrina.
Roberts, Liz. Safe Horizon, Inc. (United States)
Liz Roberts has over 24 years of experience in policy and program development, program management, clinical intervention, and professional training on behalf of children and families affected by violence. Ms. Roberts holds a Master of Social Work degree and has presented workshops at state and national conferences on child protection and domestic violence issues. Ms. Roberts joined Safe Horizon in the Fall of 2010 as the Chief Program Officer overseeing a wide range of programs for victims of violence and abuse, including hotlines, shelters, community and criminal justice programs, child advocacy centers, homeless youth services, and mental health and legal services. Before joining Safe Horizon, Ms. Roberts was a Deputy Commissioner with New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services, where she led the city’s foster care prevention and family support programs. She has taught as an adjunct professor at the Columbia University School of Social Work, has worked as a therapist with child witnesses to domestic and community violence, has managed a statewide domestic violence training program for health care providers, and has worked in community-based battered women’s service programs.
Robertson, France. Quebec Native Women Inc. (Canada)
France Robertson is an Innu woman who grew up in Mashteuiatsh, in the Lac St-Jean region and she has lived in Montreal for the last 18 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in animation and cultural research, and a certificate in management. Since she first came to Montreal, she has always worked for Aboriginal organizations. From 1993 to 1996, she was a researcher for a project designed to bring Aboriginal culture to non-Aboriginal children in Québec. From 1996 to 2001, she led a number of workshops on Aboriginal history in a variety of non-Aboriginal schools and community organizations. The purpose of the workshops was to foster a closer relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Between 2001 and 2002, she went back to her community to work for a family business, where she was in charge of a project designed to raise awareness of traditional Aboriginal fur trading practices. She has been employed by Quebec Native Women Inc. since 2002, as Promotion Non violence and Women’s Shelters Coordinator. As an Aboriginal woman, she is proud to work for an organization devoted to the well-being of her community.
Romano, Rose Mary. Fenton (United States of America)
Rose Mary Romano is a Senior Vice President at Fenton (a leading public interest communications firm) and is an internationally recognized expert on social marketing, health and development communications. Prior to joining Fenton she was a senior communication specialist for the Academy for Educational Development in Washington D.C. and Pretoria, South Africa where she was senior communication manager for a C-Change, a multi-million dollar U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) global communication contract. Romano’s background includes designing and implementing health communication and behavior change programs on HIV, family planning and malaria in Kenya, Albania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia. She has managed and provided technical oversight for a range of media projects including: the African Broadcast Media Partnership’s multi-country media campaign on HIV; an MTV collaboration to produce a multi-country television drama series on HIV prevention, and Half the Sky, a communication program on women’s empowerment. She has advised African government officials (in Kenya, Namibia, and Swaziland) on health communication programs and served as advisor to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation on HIV prevention in Botswana.
Roy, Sumanta. Imkaan (England)
Sumanta Roy is the Research and Training Officer at Imkaan and is responsible for co-ordinating and delivering Imkaan’s research programmes and publications. She assists in the delivery of Imkaan’s accredited training programmes on BMER women and girls and gender-based violence, and works to improve policy and practice on violence against women and girls (VAWG). Sumanta was previously employed by Newham Asian Women’s project, a frontline service for South Asian women and children experiencing violence. Sumanta’s has also been involved in research, public relations, event planning and fundraising for a variety of grassroots women’s organisations. She is an experienced consultant and has been involved in a range of projects focusing on learning disabilities, problematic gambling, domestic violence and homelessness. Sumanta recently led on a pioneering study for the London Mayors office (Greater London Authority) for Imkaan which seeks to look at ways of improving policy and service responses to forced marriage, ‘honour-based’ violence and female genital mutilation, which was launched in November 2011.
Ruotanen, Marja. Council of Europe (Finland)
Marja Ruotanen is part of the Council of Europe, Director of Justice and Human Dignity within the Directorate General of Human Rights and Rule of Law, responsible for Gender Equality and Human Dignity, including Violence against Women, Trafficking in Human Beings, Children’s' Rights, as well as Independence and Efficiency of Justice and Legal Co-operation. Marja Ruotanen joined the Council of Europe in 1990 and held since several positions, including Director of the Private Office of the Secretary General, and served as secretary to various Parliamentary Assembly committees, notably the Political Affairs Committee, Committee on Migration, Refugees and Population and the Committee on Gender Equality. She was born in Finland, studied International Relations (political science, law) at McGill University in Montreal (Canada).
Rus, MSc H. University of Groningen (Netherlands)Ms. MSc H. Rus has graduated as a pedagogue and child psychologist at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. She has started her career as an educational psychologist and shifted her focus on family therapy while working as a psychologist at a centre for addicted adults and their children. Since 2009 she has worked as a child psychologist at Toevluchtsoord Foundation Groningen, a centre against domestic violence. She has developed a safe way of contacting fathers at the start of a mother's and children's stay in the shelter. She also has done research on the help for children during a restraining order after domestic violence.
Russell, Kathlene. The Women’s Center of Columbia/Montour (Pennsylvania, United States of America)
A survivor of domestic violence, Kathlene has been active in the battered women’s movement for more than 15 years. She recently retired as Executive Director of The Women’s Center of Columbia/Montour in Bloomsburg, PA, a position she held for 11 years. Kathlene was the 2005 recipient of the Outstanding Woman Award from the Pennsylvania Women’s Conference and a 2006 recipient of the prestigious Athena Award, recognizing Ms. Russell for her significant contributions to the professional and personal empowerment of women. Ms. Russell holds a Master’s Degree in Guidance and Psychological Services.
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Saint Arnault, Denise. University of Michigan (United States of America)
Denise Saint Arnault (PhD, RN) is an Associate Professor of Nursing at University of Michigan, and has provided mental health care for women who have experienced interpersonal violence and trauma for over 30 years. She is also a medical anthropologist who focused on how culture and gender interact in the lives of immigrant women. Her work has examined issues of help seeking for distress and depression, cultural models of health and illness, and culturally specific expressions of distress and suffering. She has worked with Native American and Asian American communnities. Her current work focuses on providing mind-body interventions for women who have experienced trauma and for women from diverse cultures.
Saith, Ashleigh. Interval House (Canada)
Ashleigh Saith is the Resource Development Coordinator at Interval House and is a graduate of the Fundraising and Volunteer Management program at Humber College. She is responsible for the execution of Interval House’s fundraising programs. In her time at Interval House, she has managed the redesign of the website, transitioned the organization to a new donor database, and secured funding for a $1 million renovation. Ashleigh volunteers her time on the Canadian Women’s Foundation Violence-Prevention Granting Committee, and is currently working with the GIFTS Foundation to develop a sustainable fundraising program.
Sangaré, Kadidia. Attorney/National Commission on Human Rights (Mali)
Kadidia Sangaré has been a qualified lawyer since 1987 and is now the President of the National Commission on Human Rights in Mali. She has collaborated with many organizations in the field of human rights such as Avocats Sans Frontières in Rwanda. She’s also a member of many associations working in women and children’s rights. Among other things, she has participated in the realization of training Manuel on Justice for Minors and the drafting of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. She has given trainings on many themes such as gender and women’s rights; corruption and good governance and leadership.
Salazar, Rosa Maria. National Network of Women´s Shelters in Mexico (Mexico)
Rosa Maria is the executive chair of the National Network of Women´s Shelters in Mexico.
Salthouse, Sue. Women With Disabilities Australia (Australia)
Sue Salthouse is the President of Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA), the national NGO representing women with disabilities in Australia. Sue has been working in the area of disability discrimination and systemic advocacy for over a decade. The human rights framework which is enshrined in various United Nations conventions informs her actions. Sue has extensive project management experience and has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at bringing about policy changes at government and community level. Her intensive community involvement and conference participation have served to raise public awareness of the multiple discriminations experienced by women with disabilities. This work in the area of disabilities is part of her wider concerns about social justice, inclusion and elimination of discrimination against marginalised groups, with actions taken at local, national and international level.
Sapnara, Khaun. Judge (England)
Khatun Sapnara has practised as a barrister in London for 21 years and is also a Judge who hears criminal and family law cases. As a lawyer, she has extensive experience in representing women and children who have been abused, and she is an expert on issues of forced marriage and honour-based violence. She has helped to draft legislation and formulate policy in relation to domestic violence and forced marriage and was appointed to the Family Justice Council as an advisor to Government on issues relating to the family justice system. Khatun trains the judiciary and other professionals on issues of law and diversity. Khatun is also Chair of the Ashiana Network which provides refuge and support to Iranian, Turkish and South East Asian women fleeing abuse.
Sarmiento, Marlene Villavicencio. Maria Amor Women's Shelter (Ecuador)
Marlene Villavicencio Sarmiento is the Co-Directors and co-founder of the Women`s Shelter "Maria Amor" in Cuenca, Ecuador. She participated and presented in the three Inter-American-Conferences of Women s Shelters in México and Guatemala and in the First World Conference in Canada, as well as in the First Ibero-American Conference in Nicaragua and in the 9th Internal Congress about Domestic Violence in Mexico. She supported the process of developing the RIRE (Inter-American-Network of Shelters) from the beginning on and has participated in the meetings of its Temporal Board of Direction. Marlene is a driving force in the development of the Network of Women Shelters in Ecuador.
Scanlon, Sarah. Sexual Assault Centre London (Canada)
Sarah Scanlon is a feminist/activist whose passion for ending violence against womyn has been a catalyst for her advocacy and public education work throughout the London, Ontario community. Sarah is currently the Public Education and Outreach Coordinator at the Sexual Assault Centre London where she focuses on creating alternative and Anti Racist/ Anti-Oppression conscious approaches to eradicating violence against women and children. Her interests which are reflected in her public education and advocacy work depict a focus in queer identities, the link between gender, sexuality and the normalization of violence, feminist theory, culture jamming, and the medicalization of womyn’s bodies.
Schaack, Rosana D.H. Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (Liberia)
Rosana D. H. Schaack is the Executive Director of Touching Humanity In Need of Kindness (THINK) Inc., employed by Samaritan’s Purse International Relief and served as Program Manager of Child Protection for 6 years, now is consultant for Gender and Child Protection. She is a Professional Nurse with passionate commitment to human rights advocacy with special expertise in prevention and response to Gender Based Violence and Child Protection, has over 15 years experience as a Pubic Health Nurse and founded the local Non Governmental Organization, THINK, that has used innovative livelihood initiatives helping disenfranchised segments of society, especially adolescent girls, young women and children, empower themselves and achieve a better quality of life. THINK operates shelters for females in Monrovia since 2003.
Schmitt, Colleen. Day One® (United States of America)
Colleen Schmitt has worked in the domestic violence field for 27 years with experience ranging from volunteer direct services to management of domestic violence shelter and community-based programs. Ms. Schmitt has been involved with Day One® since 1995. Currently, in her position of Day One® Manager at Cornerstone, she is in charge of overseeing all model components, administrating the statewide crisis line, and creating opportunities for programs to share best practices and strengthen relationships. She works exclusively with the web developers on designing and implementing all Day One® website versions. She has co-founded Opening the Door a social justice initiative of service providers, consultants, and community members, representing various fields and groups of people. The Opening the Door collaborative is working towards addressing disparities in victim service provision by creating necessary tools, technical assistance, and support systems for agencies to examine their internal practices and strengthen their staffs' knowledge and skills in serving marginalized populations. Ms. Schmitt earned her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Social Work and minor in Women’s Studies from the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul, MN.
Seelinger, Kim Thuy. Human Rights Center at Berkeley Law School (United States of America)
Kim Thuy Seelinger is the Director of the Sexual Violence & Accountability Project at the Human Rights Center at Berkeley Law School, University of California. There, she oversees the Center’s teaching, fieldwork, and writing on sexual violence in and out of armed conflict. Prior to joining the Center, Seelinger was a staff attorney at the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies at UC Hastings College of the Law, where she co-taught the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic and represented asylum seekers fleeing gender-based violence. She previously worked as a staff attorney at Lutheran Family & Community Services in New York City, as well as the 2005-2006 Yale-China Association Clinical Law Fellow. Seelinger’s practice and scholarship focuses on refugee law, persecution based on sexual orientation, and the intersection between health and gender-based violence. She has conducted human rights fieldwork in Uganda, Vietnam, Haiti, and Kenya. She graduated from NYU School of Law.
Sharpley, Kaylene. Barwon Cottage (Australia)
Kaylene Sharpley is a descendent of the Ngemba people, which is an Aboriginal tribe that covers part of Western New South Wales, Australia including districts extending from Mount Gundabooka, Bourke New South Wales Barwon River; Bogan River; Brewarrina; Darling River; Dunlop; Mulga Creek; and Yanda Creek. Kaylene grew up in Goodooga NSW Australia; from there she moved to Sydney for clerical training after which she commenced motherhood. Kaylene is the mother of 7 children including 1 boy and 6 girls aging from 31 to 18 years old and has 13 grandchildren spanning from 1 to 13 years old. Kaylene entered the workforce in 1998 and has continued to work since then. Kaylene commenced work with Barwon Cottage Women & Children’s Safe House in May 2010. Kaylene has completed a Certificate II in Community Services, just one of the many certificates that she has acquired since coming to work for Barwon Cottage. Pre-Barwon Cottage, Kaylene worked for the Walgett Health Service for 9 years where she obtained her Certificate III in Age Care, where besides working in the Housekeeping department of the Health Service she was also working shifts at the Peg Cross Nursing Home, which is located on Walgett Health Service site. Kaylene and the staff of Barwon Cottage Women’s and Children’s Safe House are active in the promotion of awareness days in regard to the elimination of domestic and family violence against women and children, working in collaboration with associated agencies through program and service delivery.
Sharps, Dr. Phyllis. Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing (United States of America)
Phyllis Sharps, PhD, RN, FAAN is the Associate Dean Community and Global Programs at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in Baltimore, MD.
Şimşek, Berna Ekal. Purple Roof (Turkey)
Berna Ekal Şimşek: Graduated from the sociology department of Bosphorus University – Turkey and is a volunteer in Purple Roof since 2001. She is currently enrolled in social anthropology department of Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS) – Paris, writing a Phd thesis on women’s shelters in Turkey.
Siniscalchi, Amy. My Sisters’ Place (New York, United States of America)
Amy Siniscalchi, LMSW, is Director of Programs at My Sisters’ Place (MSP). As the Director of Programs, Siniscalchi oversees the agency's counseling, shelter, and outreach programs, and has worked in the fields of domestic violence, trauma, and child abuse for over thirteen years. She leads the agency’s efforts to address the needs of victims of trafficking, and was instrumental in securing initial funding to support MSP’s work. In addition, Siniscalchi is a member of the service provider advisory committee for New York State’s Interagency Taskforce on Responding to Human Trafficking, and serves as vice president of the board of directors for the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NYSCADV). She received her B.A. in sociology from Vassar College and her MSW from Hunter College.
Slann, Shirley. North Qld Domestic Violence Resource Service (Australia)
Shirley Slann is the Senior Worker/Rural & Remote Worker for North Qld Domestic Violence Resource Service in Mount Isa, Queensland, Australia. Shirley works in the North West Qld Region and works in the outlining Indigenous communities. She is also the National Indigenous Representative on WESNET (Women’s Service’s Network) Peak for Women and Children experiencing Domestic Violence. She is also a member on the Queensland Government Domestic & Family Violence Integrated Strategy Group as well as a member on the Queensland Government Death Review Panel. She is also an Indigenous reference group member on the Queensland Centre for Domestic & Family Violence Research. Shirley has just been appointed to the Queensland Government Just Futures Strategy which aims to improve the safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system. Shirley has worked in the area of Domestic & Family Violence for about 13 years and is not only interested in Domestic & Family Violence issues but also the issues that impact on Indigenous Australians.
Smaadahl, Tove. Nordic Women against Violence (Norway)
Chair of the Shelter movement in Norway, Nordic Women against Violence.
Smart, Carrie. Rose Brooks Center (United States of America)
Carrie Smart, LCSW, MSW, serves as the Director of Clinical Services at Rose Brooks Center, in Kansas City, MO. In this capacity, she provides leadership and supervision for clinicians in the Outreach Program, Transitional Housing Program and Emergency Shelter, as well as oversees the Outreach Advocacy and Education Programs. She brings over fifteen years of experience training/teaching and over six years of clinical experience working with domestic violence survivors. She has experience presenting on domestic violence nationally and regionally, as well as statewide for the Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. In 2006, Carrie co-authored the revised version of the “Stages of Healing/Lost Recovery of Self” Model © 2006 and developed a clinical observation instrument, which assesses where a survivor is in the healing process, measures progress in healing and informs intervention and program development. The model/instrument is currently being evaluated. She regularly guest lectures in graduate and undergraduate programs in the Kansas City metropolitan area, and serves as adjunct faculty for the University of Kansas. She is a certified Danger Assessment Administrator, as well as a Training and Technical Assistance Center Consultant through the Office for Victims of Crime.
Smith, Elizabeth (Liz). Yawarra Meamei Women’s Group Inc. (Australia)
Liz is from Yuwaalaraay country in far north western NSW Australia. She grew up in Goodooga, surrounded by a very large and extended proud Aboriginal family. Liz now resides in Lightning Ridge which is situated 70 kilometres south from Goodooga NSW Australia. She is a dedicated mother of three daughters and grandmother to three Biriliis (grandchildren). Liz has worked with children and families for the last 27 years, predominantly Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) families. She was instrumental in setting up a pilot program in 1991 at the Lightning Ridge local central school called the “Stepping Stones Early Intervention Program,” coordinating 4/5year old Aboriginal children into mainstream education. The program was very successful and continued on for ten years. Another success for Liz and a group of local Aboriginal elders and people was the revival of the local Aboriginal “Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay” language and the development of a language dictionary, which was introduced into the Lightning Ridge Central School’s curriculum. Liz tutored children from Kindergarten up to year ten in high school as an Aboriginal Education Assistant. Liz is now employed as a Child Support Worker with the locally non-government operated organization, Yawarra Meamei Women’s Group Inc. (“To Look after the Girls”) who auspice Lightning Ridge Safe House for women and children who have experienced Domestic & Family Violence and or are homeless. Liz is passionate about promoting, advocating and supporting the wellbeing, safety and welfare of all children in her community. Liz was part of a team of five strong Aboriginal women from the Orana Far West Safe House Project who delivered a presentation on the success of the project at the 2010 National Homelessness Conference in Brisbane, Australia.
Stewart, Cheryl Sutherland. Scottish Women’s Aid (Scotland)
Dr. Cheryl Sutherland Stewart is the Information and Research Worker for Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA), a national organization that supports 38 Shelters. She has 15 years experience researching and reporting the impact of domestic abuse on women’s lives and developing initiatives to improve services for women, children, and young people who experience domestic abuse. In her current role, she advises research and evaluation projects in-house and in partnership with other organizations. She works with Shelter staff to develop good practice approaches to self-evaluation, Good Practice Guide to Evaluating Women’s Aid Services and Toolkit for Evaluating Women’s Aid Services. She also coordinates national collation of Shelter statistics on a rolling basis and as part of an annual snap-shot survey, Census Day 2009, 2010 and 2011. More recently, she collaborated with Scotland’s Violence Against Women Network to develop a national strategic approach to eliminating Violence Against Women, Model Violence Against Women Outcomes Framework. Prior to joining SWA, she was a Shelter family support worker. She coordinated the development of a rural outreach program and provided direct support to women and their children living in the Shelter. She also delivered training on the causes and consequences of domestic abuse, and worked with agencies to deliver appropriate responses to women, children, and young people.
Stohl, Ilene. Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence (United States of America)
Ilene Stohl has been active in the movement to end violence against women since 1992. She has a Masters in Public health and has worked as an advocate in shelters and community based domestic violence programs across the country. Ilene currently coordinates the Economic Justice Project and Prevention work at the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Her current work focuses on moving towards preventing violence before it happens and helping systems and institutions improve their responses and strengthen the economic safety net for survivors.
Strack, Gael. National Family Justice Center Alliance (United States of America)
Gael Strack, J.D., serves the Chief Executive Officer of the National Family Justice Center Alliance. She started her legal career as a criminal defense attorney. In 1987, she became a domestic violence prosecutor and went on to lead the nationally recognized San Diego City Attorney’s Child Abuse/Domestic Violence Unit. She led the planning effort to start the San Diego Family Justice Center and served for five years as its first Director. She has authored or co-authored seven books and over thirty journal articles and book chapters. Her latest book, “The Big Girls Club” (Wheatmark 2009) provides practical guidance for professionals working together in often male dominated work environments.
Sullivan, Cris M. Michigan State University (Michigan, United States of America)
Dr. Cris M. Sullivan is Professor of Ecological/Community Psychology and Director of the Violence Against Women Research and Outreach Initiative at Michigan State University (MSU). She is also Associate Chair of the Psychology Department and is a Senior Fellow of MSU’s Office on Outreach and Engagement. In addition to her MSU appointments, Cris is the Co-Director of Research & Evaluation for the Michigan Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence and Senior Research Advisor to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Her areas of research expertise include conducting longitudinal, experimental evaluations of community interventions for abused women and their children, improving the community response to violence against women, and evaluating victim service programs. In addition to consulting for local, state, federal and international organizations and initiatives, Cris also conducts workshops on effectively advocating in the community for women with abusive partners, and their children; understanding the effects of domestic abuse on women and children over time; improving system responses to the problem of violence against women; and evaluating victim service agencies.
Swasson, Sheila. National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence (Canada)
Sheila Swasson is a Mi’gmaq woman from the Listuguj First Nation, Quebec, Canada. For 15 years, she was the Supervisor of Haven House (Shelter for Aboriginal Women). Sheila is the Interim President of the National Aboriginal Circle Against Family Violence, (NACAFV) a national organization with the objective of Reducing Family Violence in our Aboriginal Communities. (www.nacafv.ca) As a founding member, she has been proactively involved in ensuring its mandate is promoted since NACAFV’s inception in 1999. Sheila is a positive role model in her community as well as regionally and nationally. In 2006, Sheila is one of the three Mi’gmaq women who cycled across the country to initiate dialogue and bring attention to the issue of family violence in Aboriginal communities and violence against Aboriginal women. In 2008, Sheila was selected as the spokesperson for Standing Together Against Family Violence a regional awareness campaign against family violence which aimed at raising awareness in Aboriginal communities and to mobilize our “Nations” against family violence. In 2009, in recognition of her work and commitment, Sheila was awarded the Aboriginal Women in Leadership Distinction Award. Sheila currently works as a Manager of Community Services – Gespe’gewa’gi Territory.
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Tarica, Fernanda. Shalom Bait (Argentina)
Fernanda is a Physician, University of Buenos Aires (U.B.A.). Fernanda specialized in Family Violence, School of Psychology, UBA. Fernanda is Founder and Director of the Civil Association for the Prevention of Domestic Violence "Shalom Bait". (2003-2011). Fernanda is a Member of the Board of the Argentine Association for the Prevention of Child Abuse ASAPMI (2006-2011). Fernanda is a lecturer at postgraduate universities courses on domestic violence and child abuse. Fernanda provides supervision of the shelter for victims of domestic violence of the City of Buenos Aires. (2011).
Teubal, Ruth Victoria. Shalom Bait (Argentina)
Ruth Victoria Teubal is a social worker who has received specialized training on family violence at the University of Buenos Aires, and has years of experience working with women who are victims of domestic violence. She forms part of Shalom Bait`s team since 2006, where she carries out admissión interviews, maintains individual counselling for women and also facilitates survivor groups. As a team member, she is in close contact with our Economic Empowerment and Development Program, since an important part of her function is to integrate the women we assist in promoting them labour-wise. Ruth is also a university lecturer, where she conducts a course on family violence.
Thapa, Lily, Women for Human Rights (Nepal)
Lily Thapa is the founder chairperson with Women for Human Rights, which is the pioneer organization working towards single women (widows) in 425 VDCs of 68 districts of Nepal. She is also a part-time lecturer in Padma Kanya College of Nepal University teaching students about Sociology and Gender and guiding them for Research studies.
Thomas, Cheryl. The Advocates for Human Rights (United States of America)
Cheryl Thomas is an attorney and Director of the Women's Human Rights Program, a program she founded at The Advocates for Human Rights in 1993. Since 1994, Ms. Thomas and the Women’s Program at AHR have worked with partners in Central and Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union countries and Morocco to promote women’s human rights. Cheryl has provided consultation and/or training to government officials, legal professionals and civil society groups in 11 countries on best practices in legal reform on violence against women. In 2008, Cheryl participated with 15 other women from around the world in a United Nations Expert Group Meeting in Vienna on good practices in legislation on violence against women. In 2009, Cheryl participated in a second UN Expert Group Meeting in Ethiopia focused on harmful practices against women and girls, with a report published in 2010. Ms. Thomas was honored as a 2005 Changemaker by Minnesota Women’s Press. In March 2011, she was recognized by Newsweek magazine as one of 150 “Women Who Shake the World”. From 1999 to 2001 Cheryl served as Executive Director of WATCH, a court monitoring organization focused on cases of violence against women and children.
Trainor, Robyn. Centre for Non-Violence (Australia)
Robyn Trainor is the Loddon Campaspe Regional Integration Coordinator (Family Violence) based within the Centre for Non-Violence. Robyn has worked extensively in the areas of social work education and practice, as a lecturer at La Trobe University, Coordinator of Social Work Field Placement and Supervisor of students undertaking field education in a range of practice settings. Robyn has a long history in social work and welfare practice, working a counsellor/advocate in specialist family violence services, children and family services, sexual assault and disability. She has a Bachelor of Social Work (Hons), and an Advanced Certificate in Residential and Community Services (disability). Robyn participated in a study tour with the New York Batterer’s Program and Centre for Court Excellence - Brooklyn Court to inform coordinated and accountable system of response to family violence. Robyn works collaboratively within all program areas at the Centre for Non-Violence from violence prevention to family violence response and within the broader service system to enhance the safety of women and children and uphold the accountability of men who use violence against family members. Robyn is currently undertaking a PhD on women’s experiences of family violence response within the Loddon Campaspe region and is passionate identifying service gaps and practice informed research.
Trimble, Nikki. Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (Canada)
Nikki Trimble is the Provincial Coordinator of the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters (MAWS) which currently represents 9 shelters in Manitoba, Canada. Nikki offers a wealth of experience from the United Kingdom where she was the Pembrokeshire Domestic Abuse Coordinator for 6 years, responsible for introducing a new Domestic Abuse training program for Police. Prior to this, she served with the Thames Valley Police in England, specializing in family violence and sexual offences. Nikki was also a member of the Domestic Abuse Strategic planning committee for the Welsh Assembly Government and member of The Area Child Protection committee. She worked with a Domestic Abuse forum on multi agency domestic violence awareness training and was responsible for training judges, lawyers, magistrates, nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, midwives and many other agencies in Wales.
Tucker, Deborah D. National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (United States of America)
Ms. Tucker is the Executive Director of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCDSV), opened in October 1998. She was the founding Chair of the National Network to End Domestic Violence during its leadership in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. Debby Co-Chaired the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence from 2000-2003. She serves on the Advisory Committees for Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence, WomensLaw.org and Jewish Women International. Debby has also worked closely with women’s organizations in Mexico and Perú and has assisted NGOs in Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Guam, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Puerto Rico, Portugal and Spain. Debby volunteered with the first rape crisis center in Texas in 1974, later as Assistant Director of the Austin Rape Crisis Center, and then co-founded and served as Executive Director of the Austin Center for Battered Women from 1977 until 1982. (In 1997, ARCC and ACBW combined to form SafePlace.) From 1982-1996 Debby directed the Texas Council on Family Violence (TCFV). Under her leadership, the TCFV grew to be one of the largest state domestic violence coalitions (SDVCs) in the U.S. with over 50 staff providing training, technical assistance, public education and advocacy. In February 1996 TCFV opened the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-SAFE). In August 1996, Debby and Sarah M. Buel, JD, opened Tucker, Buel and Associates and In May 1998, Sarah and Debby co-founded NCDSV to provide consulting, training and advocacy. NCDSV received funding from the U.S. DOJ Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) to develop curriculum and training with the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, National Sheriffs' Association and National Center for Rural Law Enforcement. NCDSV and Avon Foundation for Women produced materials for Speak Out against Domestic Violence Campaign. NCDSV is best known for its work with the military community and consulting with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on DELTA, Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances, working with 14 SDVCs to prevent domestic violence. NCDSV consulted from 2007-2011 with the CDC Foundation on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded DELTA PREP preparing 19 additional SDVCs to initiate evidence-based prevention strategies in their states.
Turner, Ann. National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) a project of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV). (Wisconsin, United States of America)
Ann Turner has worked with the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life project (NCALL), a project of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence since 2002. Ms Turner has been a grassroots organizer for the violence against women movement since 1981 and was the founder and executive director of a rural program for 20 years, resigning in 2001 after the completion of a $1.3 million capital campaign that paid for the building of a new shelter facility for the agency. Ann has extensive experience in developing agency policy and procedures, including shelter and advocacy services. Ms Turner co-authored, “A Collaborative Victim Centered Response to Abuse in Later Life”, a training curriculum use by recipients of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) Enhanced Training and Services to End Violence Against and Abuse of Women Later in Life grant program. She also co-authored a chapter on Domestic Abuse in Later Life for a book titled “Domestic Violence Mosaic: Culturally Competent Practice with Diverse Populations.”
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Utarti, Dr. Hediana. Asian Women's Shelter (California, United States of America)
Currently living and working in San Francisco, Hediana Utarti is a staff member of the Asian Women’s Shelter since 2000. Her position, Community Project Coordinator, is responsible for AWS’ community educations and engagements such as its Anti Trafficking program and services. In the shelter, like the rest of staff, she is also responsible for other duties including crisis line, trainings, technical assistance and support group facilitation. Previously, she lived and worked in Honolulu, HI for 14 years where she earned her Ph.D in Political Science, and dedicated almost ten years of her career as Co-Director of the Women’s Center at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In 1995, she started her involvement in domestic violence work by joining the Family Peace Center trainings in Honolulu.
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van Bemmel, Liesbeth. Federation of Shelters (Netherlands)
Liesbeth van Bemmel has been the Senior Policy maker / Project manager at the Federation of Shelters in the Netherlands since 2007. In this position, she developed a Nationwide Improvement Plan for the Women’s Shelters which includes organizing commitment and funding for the execution of the plan. The plan contains different project and attention points, it takes five years to execute and implement and is financed by the ministry of Social affairs. She has worked as consultant in a project for domestic violence eradication in Turkey. In this position she has developed a Model for Chain Cooperation that can be used to structure the cooperation between the organizations working together in combating domestic violence. She has also used this model at a conference for managers of the Women’s Shelter in Turkey commissioned by the UN. In the Netherlands, Liesbeth van Bemmel has lobbied strongly for the rights of victims of violence without documents. This resulted in new legislation that makes it possible to shelter these women, give them benefits, and gives them the possibility to apply for a resident permit based on humanitarian ground. From 1984 until 1992 Liesbeth worked for a Runaway Home for girls as a founder, a social worker and board member. From 1993 until 2007 she was working at the Central organization for the reception of asylum seekers, as a social worker, manager and policy maker.
van den Brink, Aleid. Blijf Groep (Netherlands)
Aleid van den Brink MSc (1952, Delft, Netherlands) holds degrees in social pedagogy and psychology. She started her career as an Amsterdam based community educator and social worker, specializing in supporting single mother families. During the 1980’s her attention shifted to the management of organizations supporting and sheltering victims of domestic violence, and to the battle against domestic violence as a whole. During the last five years Aleid van den Brink has also been active on the national level, as board member of the National Federation of Shelter Institutions, and as chair person of the National Federation of Women’s Shelters. Aleid acts as a member of national task forces and government committees that prepare future anti domestic violence policies, and develop new funding alternatives. On the international level Aleid acts as a ‘Focal Point’ for WAVE (Women Against Violence Europe), the European association of Women’s Shelters Organizations.
Vardanyan, Susanna. Women’s Rights Center (Armenia)
Ms. Susanna Vardanyan is the Founder and the President of Women’s Rights Center. Women’s Rights Center, led by Ms. Vardanyan, implemented a great number of activities addressing to prevention of violence against women, particularly domestic violence, including the Operation of the Hotline Services, Crises Centers both in Yerevan and 4 regions, first Emergency Shelter for women-victims of domestic violence and their children as well as drafting of Domestic Violence Law in Armenia. In 2002, June Ms. Vardanyan was awarded with a Human Rights Award by Advocates for Human Rights organization for the commitment to human rights and in recognition of her outstanding work in the sphere of promoting women's human rights in Armenia. In 2005, “PeaceWomen Across the Globe,” an organization from Switzerland, nominated her for the Nobel Peace Prize. She is an expert on domestic violence, National Monitor on VAW in Armenia as well as Boards and Steering Committees member of a big number of local and international organizations.
Vargas, Patricia C. A Safe Place (Canada)
For the past 10 years Patricia Vargas has been the Executive Director of A Safe Place, a shelter for women and their children fleeing violence, located in Sherwood Park, Canada. Her past work includes the creation of websites with legal information for abused women (www.violetnet.org) and as the coordinator of community responses to family violence in Edmonton and area. She has also worked for Alberta Human Rights Commission and as the Coordinator of a multi-agency diversity project. In 2009 she developed a Governance Model for a Global Network of women’s shelter and played a key role in organizing the Ottawa summit for Shelters in 2009 which led to the creation of the Global Network of Womens Shelter, she is a current board member of the network and a member of the Inter-Americas Shelter Network. She was a United Nation Canadian delegate in 2009 and 2010 and presented with her colleagues of the Global Network at the United Nations. She authored the position paper that was distributed at the 54th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, March 1- 12 2010 in New York. The report speaks to the role of women’s shelter in keeping women safe around the world: “Violence Against Women and the Role of Safe Spaces for Women.” Pat has presented in several conferences on Human Trafficking, Service Models and Governance Models for Networks. She presented in Mexico network of women’s shelters, Ecuador and Guatemala and at the 1st World Conference of Women’s Shelters Edmonton, she has an MBA from the University of Alberta. She has authored two publications: "Long-Term Federally Sentenced Women" and "Foreign Nationals: Needs Identification - Meeting with Foreign National Federally Sentenced Women." Most recent work is the development of an International protocol to transfer women victims of human trafficking from shelter to shelter internationally. 11 Countries met in Guatemala to develop and sign the protocols. In September 2011, Pat provided training to all the shelters in Mexico.
Vergara, Leticia. Interamerican Network of Women´s Shelters (Mexico)
Leticia is a collaborator of the Interamerican Network of Women´s Shelters. She was the founder of the refuge for women at extreme risk, In family break the Silence, En familia romapamos el silencio. She was coordinator of the Women Empowerment Program for Soroptimist International, and was governor of the Soroptimist International Federation for Central America and Mexico.
Vieira, Vera. Brazilian Peacewomen Association (Brazil)
Vera Vieira is the executive director of Brazilian Peacewomen Association, a non governmental organization located in the city of São Paulo, focusing on the interconnection between violence against women and the amplified concept of peace (UN 1325 Resolution – justice and human security), aiming to interfere in the field of women’s rights. In the year of 2011, the Association started a two year projects named “Redefining Peace – Women Lead the Way: Developing a popular education methodology to work with women and men against domestic violence”. This project was designed inspired in all knowledge got from Vital Voices Program. She is a journalist that is currently a PhD student, finishing a doctorate in Communication Sciences, at the University of São Paulo, with an action research on violence against women and the use of internet to amplify the Brazilian struggle to minimize it. In her academic and professional trajectory, she has published many books. For the period of 2009 to 2011, she was designated to be the Brazilian coordinator of the project entitled Violence Against Women and the Strategic Use of ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies). This project has been developed in 12 countries and is part of the Millennium Goals, having as general coordinator the NGO named APC / WNSP (Association for Progressive Communications / Women’s Networking Support Program).
Villavicencio, Marlene. Maria Amor Women's Shelter (Ecuador)
Marlene Villavicencio is the Co-Directors and co-founders of the Women`s Shelter "Maria Amor" in Cuenca, Ecuador. She participated and presented in the three Inter-American-Conferences of Women s Shelters in México and Guatemala and in the First World Conference in Canada, as well as in the First Ibero-American Conference in Nicaragua and in the 9th Internal Congress about Domestic Violence in Mexico. She supported the process of developing the RIRE (Inter-American-Network of Shelters) from the beginning on and has participated in the meetings of its Temporal Board of Direction. Marlene is a driving force in the development of the Network of Women Shelters in Ecuador.
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Weigl, Kerstin. Journalist (Sweden)
Kerstin Weigl is a journalist. After her degree in 1983, she has worked as a newsreporter; first at a local radio station, later at SydsvenskaDagbladet and since 1986, at Aftonbladet, the biggest daily in Scandinavia, where she is now a columnist. She has published two books, one on international adoption ("Längtansbarnen", Norstedts, 1997) and one novel, based on true stories, three women's experiences from violence (Miassystrar", Ordupplaget 2008). In 2009, she compiled a unique and award-winning investigation together with Kristina Edblom, for Aftonbladet, exhuming and finding every case of mortal violence against women in Sweden, during the 21st century.
Wheeliker, Ian. Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (Canada)
Ian Wheeliker is the Executive Director of the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter in Red Deer Alberta. In the early 80’s Ian studied psychology and sociology with a concentration in criminology at Dalhousie University and Carleton University. In the late eighties and early nineties Ian certified in Reality Therapy and Choice Theory. Ian began his career in 1986 in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia counselling young offenders. In 1994 Ian accepted the Program Coordinator position at Second Chance Project, a psycho-educational program for men who batter. During his work in Nova Scotia Ian also served on the committee for the Nova Scotia Government’s Frame Work for Action on Family Violence. This committee was created under the leadership of the Honourable Bill Gillis Minister of Justice. Ian and his family left Nova Scotia in 1998. Ian assumed the position of Executive Director of the West Central Crisis and Family Support Centre in Kindersley, Saskatchewan. His work there focused on domestic, sexual violence and traumatic events response. Ian has worked with over 5,000 violent offenders and thousands of victims during his 25 year career. Ian and his family currently live in Lacombe Alberta.
White, Gregory R. Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program for Men (United States of America)
Gregory R. White is a founding staff member of the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program for Men and has served as Director for the past twenty years. In this capacity he has been involved in social change efforts, domestic violence community coordination efforts, and batterer program models with nationally recognized programs and colleagues throughout the United States. A frequent trainer, he provides training and serves as a guest speaker in the areas of domestic violence and the role and purpose of batterer programs. He has presented at the Partners of the Americas Caribbean Regional Conference on Domestic Violence and Women's Rights in South America to constituents from numerous Caribbean, South American countries including the United States. He has been a frequent presenter at the International Conference on Violence, Abuse and Trauma in San Diego, California; the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence; the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conferences; he is Co-Director for the National Training Institute – New York Model for Batterer Programs; and a presenter at the First World Conference for Women Shelters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; is past Chair of the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence; and is listed in Who’s Who in America.
White, Jonathan. Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response (United States of America)
Lieutenant Commander Jonathan White is the Team Lead for Strategic Partnership and Community Resilience at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness and Response, where he works on human services in disasters and public health emergencies. He is a Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Public Health Service and a licensed clinical social worker. He holds a MSW in Clinical and Macro Social Work from the Catholic University of America, a Ph.D. in American Literature from George Washington University, a Licensed Certified Social Worker-Clinical license and Social Work Supervisor certification from the State of Maryland, and is a Board Certified Diplomate in clinical social work.
Whyman, Patricia (Trish). Wilcannia Women and Children’s Safe House (Australia)
Trish Whyman is a strong Barkanji Woman from the remote community of Wilcannia in far West NSW, Australia. Trish has worked at the Wilcannia Women and Children’s Safe House as a support worker since 2004. She is an active and devoted member of the Wilcannia community and regularly attends Wilcannia Community Working Party and Land Council meetings. Trish works closely with other service providers in the Wilcannia area including Save the Children, Toy Library, Safe Families, Centre Care and Mission Australia. Trish is a proud mother of four and a grandmother of six.
Wiggins, Kate. Women’s Community House (Canada)
Kate Wiggins is the Executive Director of Women’s Community House. Women’s Community House provides safe places and services for abused women and their children. Kate has been with WCH for ten years, shepherding the organization through a period of growth and change. Kate is also past Chair of the London Coordinating Committee to End Woman Abuse, a collaborative association of agencies committed to ending woman abuse. Kate is also past President of the Board of Changing Ways and is a member of a variety of other community committees. Kate holds both a BA in psychology and a master's degree in social work from Carleton, and a master's degree in public administration from Western. Kate also has her Certified Fund Raising Executive designation and has worked in the in the non-profit sector for over 24 years.
Wilson, Patty. East Baltimore Community Nursing Centers (United States of America)
Patty Wilson, MSN, RN, is the Faculty/Assistant Director of the East Baltimore Community Nursing Centers in Maryland.
Wong, Rhiannon. BC Society of Transition Houses (Canada)
Rhiannon Wong is the Children and Youth Services Coordinator at the BC Society of Transition Houses in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Through her role, she supports 96 Children Who Witness Abuse Programs across British Columbia who provide one-on-one support and group interventions to children and youth exposed to violence in the home.
Wood, Penny. Domestic Violence Support Western Sydney Service (Australia)
Penny Wood, Coordinator, Domestic Violence Support Western Sydney Service ‘DVSWSS’ (Lead Agency Wimlah Women and Children’s Refuge and Outreach Service – Managed by New South Wales Women’s Refuge Movement NSW WRM). Penny has spent 10 years working in the not-for-profit community sector with the last 6 years specifically supporting women who have experienced domestic violence. Penny has been a case manager to women in a refuge setting, worked as Team Leader, Manager and now Coordinates the pilot program DVSWSS. Penny has a Community Services Diploma, training in the areas of working with Aboriginal Families and Mental Health and is currently studying for a Bachelors degree in Social Sciences. Penny is passionate that women and children who have experienced DV are entitled to housing and safety and, given her grass roots experience and commitment driving DVSWSS, this has proven to be a potent mix.
Wyse, Kate D.M. Central Alberta Women`s Emergecny Shelter (Canada)
Kate D.M. Wyse, B.A., ACGPAis the Domestic Violence Court Case Coordinator at the Central Alberta Women`s Emergecny Shelter. Kate has a Bachelor of Arts degree and holds a current membership with the Canadian Group Psychotherapy Association. She has worked for over 10 years in the field of Domestic Violence and began her career in this field with the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter as a Crisis Worker. Kate’s passion to work within the area of Domestic Violence has allowed her the opportunity to help initiate the Partner Safety Check Program in Red Deer. During this time she also worked as a Facilitator with the men who were court mandated to attend Domestic Violence Counselling through the Jim Freeman Psychotherapy Group. Over the past year, Kate has worked as RCMP Case Worker within the Red Deer City RCMP Domestic Crime Unit and in October 2010, moved into the Domestic Violence Court Case Coordinator position. Kate also has a background in Addictions and has worked as an Addiction Counsellor for Edgewood Treatment Centre in British Columbia.
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Yadav, Vithika. Free the Slaves (India)
Vithika is a human rights professional, awarded Atlas fellowship 2007 -2008 in the United States to work with Free the Slaves and has more than eight years of experience of working on human trafficking, modern day slavery issues and women and child rights in various capacities. She has worked in various responsible positions with some of the premier organizations like the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime- Regional Office for South Asia, BBC World Service Trust, and Free the Slaves. She has an excellent knowledge of the international human rights instruments and policy frameworks relevant to women and child rights. Vithika has become a highly regarded human rights professional; especially focused on advising NGOs regarding how to create rights based programs of recovery through which women and girls can emerge from being sex trafficking victims to being human rights advocates in their own right. She has played an important role in the creation of Free the Slaves supported shelter home for trafficked survivors in an isolated rural area of the state of Bihar, India, especially with drawing the standard operating procedures, recruiting and then training staff. Her experience and expertise led her to successfully complete an evaluation study of the shelters run by the Somaly Mam Foundation in Cambodia. Her critically supportive approach enabled her recommendations to be well received. She is also associated with Radio Netherlands Worldwide as their web editor writing on sexuality and sexual health information from a rights based perspective and promoting the same in South Asia region. Recently, she has also been selected and appointed as Special Consultant Advisor and Committee Member for the ‘Complaints Committee’ by Airports Authority of India (AAI) for reviewing any case of sexual harassment at workplace. Originally from the city of Alwar in the state of Rajasthan, Vithika studied at the Lady Sri Ram College in Delhi, from where she holds an M.A. in History (Honors) as well as B.A. in History.
Yeo, Shelley. Women's Community House (Canada)
Shelley Yeo is Director Transitional & Community Programs at Women's Community House (WCH) in London, Ontario, Canada. WCH provides safe places and services for women who are abused & their children, including shelter and Second Stage Housing programs. She is currently Co-Chair of the All Our Sisters 2011 Forum, Past Chair of the London Homeless Coalition, and Chair, Ontario Second Stage Housing Alliance. Ms. Yeo was one of the co-developers of the “I Step Forward” training program. In addition, Ms. Yeo is an active participant on many committees and initiatives that engage in working towards positive solutions and changes related to the issues of poverty and safe, affordable housing. She continues to challenge herself and others with maintaining the vision of a world where we are all free to live in peace.
Yoshihama, Mieko. University of Michigan School of Social Work (United States of America)
Mieko Yoshihama, Ph.D., LMSW, ACSW is a Professor at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. She holds social work licenses in both the states of California and Michigan. Combining research and social action at local, state, national, and international levels over the last 25 years, Dr. Yoshihama focuses on the prevention of gender-based violence and promotion of the safety and wellbeing of marginalized populations and communities.
In Michigan, through participatory action research projects, Dr. Yoshihama has established several community-based organizations, such as the Hmong Women United of Michigan, Inc. and the New Visions: Alliance to End Violence in Asian/Asian American Communities. Through the use of arts, especially theater, she has been developing, implementing, and evaluating socio-culturally relevant, community-generated strategies to prevent domestic and dating violence in local Asian communities. In Japan, she co-founded the Domestic Violence Action & Research Group in 1991 and conducted the nation’s first study of domestic violence. Disseminating the results at the NGO Forum of the United Nations Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993 and other venues, this study prompted the emergence of movements to prevent and address domestic violence in Japan. Following the Great East Japan Earthquake of March 2011, Dr. Yoshihama helped establish Rise Together: Women’s Network for East Japan Disaster and has been involved in a series of action research efforts to address the needs of women and other vulnerable groups affected by this unprecedented disaster. Dr. Yoshihama is a founding member and a steering committee member of the Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence and has served as a consultant to various international, national, state, and local organizations aimed at ending gender-based violence.
Yusuf, Maria. Assocation for Women's Sanctuary and Development (Ethiopia)
Maria Yusuf is a lawyer and a former high court judge on family and criminal benches. She was one of the founders and volunteers of the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Assocation who was providing free legal aid services for women who are victims of violence. She is the founder and board chair of the Union of Ethiopian Women Charitable Assocation and the Founder and Executive Directress of Assocation for Women's Sanctuary And Development.
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Zahnd, Laura. Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (Missouri, United States of America)
Laura Zahnd is a Program Development Specialist at MCADSV, where she has been providing training and technical assistance to member programs since 2003. Prior to joining the Coalition, Laura was Director of Victim Services of a Missouri domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center. She transitioned from work in a residential setting to serving as a victim advocate for a county prosecutor’s office, where she assisted and supported victims of domestic violence through the criminal justice system.
