Domestic Violence and the Pandemic:
An Interfaith Response
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Monday, March 14, 4:00 – 6:00 pm
and
Tuesday, March 15, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
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In response to the dramatic increase of domestic violence during the pandemic, the Micah Institute and the Interfaith Center of New York are hosting a two-day online conference with CONNECT, Genesis 2 Ministries Ink, W.A.R.M. Inc., New York Board of Rabbis, Turning Point for Women & Families – New York, African American Clergy and Elected Officials, and New York Recovery Community Coalition that will support both international and national diverse faith leaders as they address this unprecedented public health crisis.
In partnership with the United Nations CSW NGO Forum 66, a coalition of New York women faith leaders from diverse religious traditions share how their communities are responding to the rise of domestic violence during the pandemic. A key proponent of the conference will be addressing faith-rooted informed techniques in gender equality and the empowerment of women that have been victims of domestic violence.
Ties to the UN CSW 2022 Priority theme of Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls in the context of climate change, environmental and disaster risk reduction policies, and programmes: we are addressing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls who have faced domestic violence or are at risk of domestic violence through sharing faith-rooted and gender justice informed techniques for responding to this global injustice.
The Zoom link and meeting ID you need to participate in the conference will be found in the thank you message once you register.
Please contact micahconference@gmail.com with any questions about the conference or the registration process.
Conference Program
Click here for more information about our speakers and trainers
Day One: March 14
United Nations CSW66 Virtual Session
4:00 – 4:15 Welcome, Opening Reflections, and Prayers
Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Hadley-Hall, The Micah Institute
Venerable Youwang Shih, International Buddhist Progress Society
Rabbi Melina Zalma, Tanenbaum
4:15 – 4:20 Candle Lighting Ceremony
A shared ritual that will center all in attendance. This ceremony will help mourn victims, celebrate survivors, and commend those who join us to take a stand against this crime. We encourage all to participate and light a candle with us.
4:20 – 5:10 Keynote Interfaith Pane: Addressing the Global Pandemic on Domestic Violence
An interfaith panel of religiously diverse women community leaders, service providers, and domestic violence advocates addressing domestic violence in the United States and how diverse faith communities have responded to domestic violence during the pandemic. They will share lessons from their work, perspectives from their faith traditions and how have they worked to respond to domestic Violence during the pandemic. They will also discuss the challenges they have faced addressing domestic violence during COVID-19 and how they have worked to overcome them. Speakers will include:
Anindita Chatterjee Bhaumik, Trauma Therapist, LICSW
Morah Ayoka Mayanah Johnson, Founder of Genesis 2 Ministries Ink.
Iya Funlayo Dr. E.Wood-Menzies, Ase Ire, Ifá-Òrìsà
Robina Niaz, Founder and Executive Director, Turning Point for Women & Families – New York
moderated by Danielle Williams-Thiam, Community Educator, CONNECT NYC
5:10 – 5:30 Q & A
5:30 – 5:45 Breakout Rooms
Small group discussions on faith-based responses to domestic violence and how are they being addressed in our communities.
5:45 – 5:55 Action Steps
Identifying effective strategies that combat domestic violence and empower its victims. Understanding the responsibilities our communities have in ending domestic violence.
Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Hadley-Hall, The Micah Institute
5:55 – 6:00 Closing Reflections and Prayer
Hanadi Doleh, The Interfaith Center of New York
Pastor Evelyn Wilson
Day Two: March 15
Domestic Violence & The Pandemic: An Interfaith Response: Learning & Taking Action
10:00 – 10:15 Welcome, Opening Reflections, and Prayers
Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York
Sunita Viswanath, Hindus for Human Rights
10:15 – 10:35 Keynote Address: Addressing the Global Pandemic on Domestic Violence Through Advocacy & Faith-Rooted Action
A leading and widely- respected domestic violence advocate at the forefront of addressing this issue through political change and/or social justice action will address the systematic injustices leading to domestic violence.
Dr. Coralanne Griffith-Hunte, Minister & Trauma Therapist
moderated by Rev. Dr. Chloe Breyer, Executive Director, The Interfaith Center of New York
10:35 – 10:50 Q & A
10:50- 10:55 Introduction to Workshops
11:00 – 1:00 Hands-On Workshops
Small group workshops will help you build relationships with other conference participants, develop practical organizing skills, and learn about a range of issues related to domestic violence. Each 50-minute workshop will be offered twice, with a brief break in between, so conference participants can take two workshops. Workshop topics will include:
Responding to Domestic Violence in Faith Communities. This workshop is for religious leaders, spiritual activists, and people of faith to gain a basic understanding of the spiritual impacts of intimate partner abuse and the role of the faith community in preventing domestic violence. Workshop leader: Danielle Williams-Thiam, Community Educator, CONNECT NYC.
Recognizing Early Signs of Domestic Violence. Given the prevalence of domestic abuse, it is necessary to be able to recognize signs of domestic violence in victims. Understanding the importance of recognizing potential abuse in order to connect victims with resources that can offer more effective help and guidance. Workshop leader: Aminta Kilawan-Narine, Founder and Director of South Queens Women’s March.
Survivor Centered Advocacy: Supporting Survivors. This workshop will focus on ways to effectively support survivors of domestic violence both on an individual level and on a community/institutional level. Participants will also explore ways to support survivors of diverse backgrounds. Workshop leader: Tasnia Ahamed, Domestic Violence Program Director, Turning Point for Women & Families – New York.
Domestic Violence & Trauma: When Staying at Home Does Not Mean Safe at Home. Each person is impacted differently by their experiences with domestic violence and trauma. When a person experiences trauma at the hands of someone they love and trust, it often impacts them profoundly and in many areas of their lives. The healing journey is a process. Workshop leader: Dr. Coralanne Griffith-Hunte, Minister & Trauma Therapist
Effects of Domestic Violence on Families. Explore the far-reaching consequences of domestic violence for the families and children of victims and survivors. Experts and impacted family members will help you offer compassionate pastoral care to traumatized families. Workshop leader: W.A.R.M.
When you register for the conference, you will be asked to rank your workshop preferences. We will try to place all participants in their top two workshop choices, but we cannot guarantee placement.
1:00 – 1:30 Workshop Reportback
1:30 – 1:40 Action Steps
Identifying local effective strategies that combat domestic violence and empower its victims. Understanding the responsibilities our communities have in ending domestic violence.
Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Hadley-Hall, The Micah Institute
1:40 – 1:50 Closing Remarks
Stephanie McGraw, Founder, W.A.R.M.
Rev. Joel Gibson, The Micah Institute
1:50 – 2:00 Closing Blessing & Sending
Rev. Patricia Malcolm, The Micah Institute
