“Consciousness raising” as a tool in domestic violence work. the personal is still political

Fleck-Henderson, Ann

Saturday, March 21, 2015: 9:50 AM-11:10 AM

Room 15 (Renaissance Washington, DC Downtown Hotel)

Speakers:
Ann Fleck-Henderson, MSSS, PhD, Simmons College
Jackie Savage-Borne, MSW, LICSW, Passageway at Brigham and Women's Hospital

PDF file

Presentation Format:
Innovative/Promising Practice Program Report

Learning Objectives:

Be able to identify their own perspectives on the political nature of domestic violence work.
Be able to use at least one tool for engaging critical consciousness of clients – and oneself.

Description:
“Consciousness raising,” a key concept for early (1970’s) domestic violence programs, is relevant still and provides a bridge between clinical and political/social-justice perspectives. A case example from a hospital-based DV program illustrates tools that support the client’s taking larger cultural perspectives on her situation, finding peer support and new possibilities for action. Participants will practice with one such tool, generate others relevant to their work, and reflect on their own experiences of cultural messaging around gender, race and class.