Genesis The Podcast

Building a culture of respect and consent

April 07, 2022 Genesis Women's Shelter Season 1 Episode 25
Genesis The Podcast
Building a culture of respect and consent
Show Notes

Established in 1897, Jewish Women International (JWI) has evolved over its 125-year history into a global leader for women’s empowerment. The organization’s 2021 National Needs Assessment of Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community revealed that Jewish communities in the United States are substantially lacking in safe shelter, legal services, acknowledgement, support, and more. On par with the national average of women experiencing domestic violence, 1-in-4 Jewish women report abuse in the home. Additional research suggests that 70% of Jewish survivors of domestic violence indicate that abusers use Jewish holidays, laws, and customs to reinforce abusive behaviors, and 81% of domestic violence support providers state that withholding “a get” (Jewish document of divorce) is a common tactic of abusers. These unique experiences rooted in Jewish culture, faith and customs require culturally-sensitive responses that not only meet the needs of Jewish survivors but also build a culture of respect and consent. In response to these findings, JWI has launched the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence in the Jewish Community offering initiatives that drive concrete long-term solutions that address domestic violence in the Jewish community and provide a hub for trauma-informed training, education, resources, peer support, research, policy development, and community collaboration. We explore this ambitious program with Ariella Neckritz, JWI’s Director of Violence Prevention and Training, who leads the organization’s trauma-informed culturally competent prevention programming and community training initiatives. JWI offers information and programs for all women and girls of every race, culture, ability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.