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“Greening & Growing” Strategies to Create Protective Environments and Prevent Sexual & Domestic Violence

 

Public health and violence prevention practitioners are increasingly recognizing the critical role that the natural environment plays in shaping relationships and human and environmental health, safety, and wellbeing. In this web conference we will explore how we can improve safety and wellbeing and reduce violence through “greening and growing” strategies. Lisa Fuji Parks and Sofia Betto, from Prevention Institute, will offer a brief overview  of these strategies, particularly in the context of preventing sexual and domestic violenceprevention, drawing from those that are included in CDC’s intimate partner violence and sexual violence prevention Resources for Action guides. 

Amanda Barratt and Josef Canaria from the Michigan Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCEDSV) will share about the work to create protective environments and strengthen social connection by increasing green spaces in rural areas with their local partner Hope Shores Alliance. They will also share about how they got started in this work and how they are reframing greening-related conversation and action in accessible ways. 

Darlene Thomas from GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency committed to ending intimate partner abuse, will share their unique therapeutic farm-based program that supports survivor healing and provides optional opportunities to strengthen economic support through farming, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship. Darlene will also discuss how the program contributes to culture change and trust building in Kentucky.

OBJECTIVES

  • Describe how the natural environment can shape relationships and safety. 
  • Explore how creating protective environments and strengthening social connection by increasing green spaces in rural areas builds protective factors to prevent sexual and domestic violence. 
  • Learn about how therapeutic farming can support survivors and build protective factors to prevent sexual and domestic violence.

HOSTS/FACILITATORS: Janae Sargent & Ashleigh-Klein Jimenez, PreventConnect & ValorUS

GUESTS: 

  • Josef Canaria (he/him), Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCEDSV)

 

 

 

 

 

  • Amanda Barratt, she/her/hers, Michigan Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence (MCEDSV)

 

 

 

 

 

  • Darlene Thomas, GreenHouse17

 

 

 

 

 

MATERIALS:

PowerPoint slides [PDF]

Text chat transcript [PDF]