Center for Survivor Agency and Justice

The Center for Survivor Agency and Justice (CSAJ) is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that advances economic equity for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. We are looking for passionate and committed individuals, with experience in fundraising development, communications/marketing, and board governance to serve on our board of directors. Given CSAJ’s mission and organizational commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we strongly encourage BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and people of other marginalized identities to apply. The application period will close on May 6th.?? https://lnkd.in/dgckvjnr

Dear Friends and Partners: It has been a week, and still the news feels raw and devastating. This past election cycle put the struggle for gender, racial, and economic equity into stark relief. The outcome ensured that the struggle will continue, but at a higher pitch and with greater risk of violence against those who live at the margins. The coming four years will present frightening threats to survivors of domestic and sexual violence, who are disproportionately Black, Indigenous, People of Color, LGBTQ+, immigrant, disabled, and living at the intersections. Faced with policies that limit access to healthcare, education, employment, consumer remedies, immigration, and basic human rights, survivors will have fewer options for economic and physical safety. But, we are here and we are not backing down. Since 2007, the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice has worked to advance economic equity for survivors of gender based violence. And while our work has never been more urgent, it is part of a much larger, multi-generational struggle. In the words of John Lewis: "Ours is not the struggle of one day, one week, or one year. Ours is not the struggle of one judicial appointment or presidential term. Ours is the struggle of a lifetime, or maybe even many lifetimes, and each one of us in every generation must do our part. And if we believe in the change we seek, then it is easy to commit to doing all we can, because the responsibility is ours alone to build a better society and a more peaceful world." To all survivors who are leading our work and working alongside us, we see you, we recognize the traumatic impact of this political environment, and we are committed to our collective liberation. Please feel free to connect with the CSAJ team. We are here for you, and want to share this list of mental health and wellbeing resources that may offer some support during this challenging time: https://lnkd.in/eywhejNE We know that abuse results not only from the actions of individuals but from oppressive systems and policies that create and compound harm. Safety is an equity issue. As we mobilize resources and nurture community, we at CSAJ recommit ourselves to addressing those inequities, so that all survivors have access to the economic security needed to be safe. That is the world we envision, and that is the world that, together, we can and will create. In solidarity, Erika Sussman Founder & Executive Director

Last Friday, CSAJ’s Executive Director, Erika Sussman, sat on a panel with Gheisha-Ly Rosario and Carla Leticia Sanchez-Adams on the topic of Consumer Rights for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence at the Consumer Rights Litigation Conference of the National Consumer Law Center in Orlando, Florida. The audience brought diverse advocacy expertise, cutting across consumer, immigration, and family law, making for rich conversation and creative strategizing.

This #DVAM, check out the National Policy Platform for Survivor Economic Equity! The purpose of this Platform is to set a vision for survivor economic equity, demonstrate how values of equity can guide policy, and center the collective voice of survivor-advocates. More information around the platform is in the link in bio. #survivoradvocacy #policyplatform #equity

During this #DVAM let’s discuss equity and how it impacts survivors’ access to safety and justice. What does safety require for those most impacted in your state? How do your state’s people, land, history, culture, norms, and values shape what safety looks like for survivors of domestic violence? CSAJ’s Survivor Economic Equity Data Dashboard can help survivors, advocates, communities, and decision-makers answer and explore these questions. Our goal is to equip the GBV field with data to fuel advocacy toward systemic change. Our survivor economic equity data dashboard is up on our website to use here: https://lnkd.in/edMQUHEj

For #DVAM 2024, we invite you to learn more about the financial costs of accessing safety for survivors and how we can advance equity and justice. Visit our website to learn more about CSAJ’s Mapping and Advancing Equity for Survivors Project, a national project that builds the capacity of the domestic violence field to engage in systems change that addresses the racial and economic inequities facing survivors. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ewuS6bZ3

This #DVAM let’s talk about safety as what it is—an equity issue. While anyone can experience abuse, not everyone can access the resources and support they need to be, to get, and to stay safe. For survivors, inequity looks like safety costing too much, a lack of generational wealth, no time to navigate service barriers, facing systemic exclusion or discrimination, and experiencing state violence that compounds other violence. As advocates for survivors of gender-based violence, we need to be mindful of these contexts and how their intersections specifically impact the survivors we serve. This reality requires us to promote equity in all aspects of our work. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ewuS6bZ3

This Saturday morning, our partners at Ujima, The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community and The Allstate Foundation are collaborating with GirlTREK for a 5K walk in DC and Chicago to raise awareness sbout domestic violence against Black women and girls. CSAJ will be there to support, and we encourage you to join in solidarity!

Earlier this month, I had the honor of representing the Center for Survivor Agency and Justice at a series of events honoring the 30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act.? It was an incredible testament to the power of community and collective action. #VAWA30 I sat on a panel with esteemed colleagues, Koube Ngaaje, Sabrina Hamm, and Darlene Thomas, which focused on Economic Justice for Survivors.? During the session, we engaged in dynamic dialogue about innovative strategies to meet the economic needs of survivors, where I shared CSAJ’s work to advance economic equity by uplifting the work of advocates and through narrative and policy changes that are defined and led by survivor-advocates. Afterward, I attended President Biden’s VAWA Anniversary commemoration on the South Lawn of the White House.? (Bonus photos with powerful partners Lisalyn R. Jacobs and Tonya Lovelace). To be there, surrounded by advocates and survivors spanning decades, generations and diverse communities, was nothing short of magical. That evening, Sharisse Kimbro of the Allstate Foundation, led with JOY by hosting a celebration for advocates like no other! Many thanks to Rosie Hidalgo and the entire team at the U.S. Department of Justice, The Office on Violence Against Women and so many other federal partners, like Shawndell Dawson, Lynn Rosenthal, and Karlo Ng, for leading and advancing the work to end gender based violence by centering survivors at every step of the way. There is so much more to be done, so many more whose lived experiences have yet to be addressed. Now, I pause in gratitude for this powerful movement that is constantly learning, as we challenge ourselves to work toward liberation for all.

Join us for our listening session on September 13th at 12pm EST! Register here: https://lnkd.in/eaAQ66ru