The LCCEWA & the Middlesex Rural Alliance, a collective of organizations working together to eradicate gender-based violence in rural Middlesex, have entered into a discovery process to determine if, and how, we might work together as a shared Violence Against Women Coordinating Committee. Meeting collaboratively for the past 18 months, we are also now working closely with consultant Maria Sanchez-Keane, to explore our collective history, challenges, risks, and opportunities.
At a day session in May, new and veteran members came together to reimagine the work of the Coordinating Committees within the rural/urban context as well as through a diversity, equity inclusion lens. It was a productive discussion with the group exploring emerging trends, collective vision, priority areas, cautions & opportunities, potential structure, and how to ensure the needs of both urban and rural.
A second day session is planned for September 19th, in which the larger group will work through the range of unification options working towards an implementation plan, including potential models & structure, decision-making, membership, among other things. We are excited to continue this conversation and to consider how we can align our experiences to support enhanced community coordination & improved community response for survivors & perpetrators of violence against women and gender-based violence.
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