D.V.Minority Services Meeting Minutes

May 21, 2001

MINUTES

Present: Oudy Acosta Perez, Johanna Hansen Keller, Dianne Juhl, Benny Myers, Joyce E. Showalter Figueroa, Ruth Westergard, John Wise.

Summary of Topics Discussed

  • Dianne Juhl submitted paperwork from the Washington State Coalition, and said that it was good training. Dianne gave paperwork from Work First/DV. She said that D.S.H.S. sponsored a conference event, and that some have website addresses that are available. She also said that they were a good resource for technical assistance.
  • Dianne Juhl stated that application(s) for the D.V. nominee position on the Kitsap County Domestic Violence Task Force (K.C.D.V.T.F.) have been both completed and submitted. John Wise's application was completed last Friday, and Tracy Flood's application has already been submitted.
  • Dianne Juhl stated that the upcoming K.C.D.V.T.F. meeting will be held in October at the Crossroads Community Church. Dianne stated that she would like to either have the meeting set up so that everyone meets together, or just go back to the breakout groups. The use of separate speakers, have panel discussions, or personal experiences would be best. Set the context.
  • Dianne Juhl said that even though Kitsap County is ahead of the game as far as other counties goes, the title for the meeting needs to be changed so that it may be drawn on from the various whole communities. K.C.D.V.T.F. should be looking at "How Do We Adapt A Coordinated Community Response", and "What Is The Immigrants Context Of History"? Speak accomplishment for K.C.D.V.T.F., its supporters, and the CCR to domestic violence survivors and perpetrators.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that the resources are out there, but only for English speaking individuals - there is nothing for other languages. Dianna Juhl said that we need to consider how indigenous and immigrant populations engage and interact with the institutions in these United States.
  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers stated that many of these minority communities are afraid of being found out.
  • Johanna Hansen Keller stated that the grant funding Oudy Acosta Perez's services at El Centro de la Familia will be completely expended at the end of June 2002.
  • Dianne Juhl stated that we need to bring established "model" programs so that they can show us how to organize, and start, etc., etc. She said that South Puget Intertribal consists of (5) five tribes brought together to look at different ways to bring about grass roots. She also said that we need to consider how Kitsap County might adapted its CCR by learning from model programs.
  • Dianne Juhl said we need to be making the transition from September 11th and a year ago. What is occurring is that since September 11th more people are not calling in. Debbie Brockman is the head chair at the Y.W.C.A., and they are not always accessible. She said we need to be asking both battered women, and perpetrators alike what they want. Consequences. She also said that we need to consider the connections between global and domestic terrorism as well as the complications resulting from Sept 11th that affect DV survivors from underserved populations
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that she has some concerns about only entertainment issues.
  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers stated that we should just keep doing what we're doing, but do more to help open up the eyes to domestic violence.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that we need to be responding to the needs - bring it out into the open.
  • John Wise said that telling stories and sharing is beneficial. The date of the summit meeting is not good, but what is better? Dianne Juhl took a poll from the group, and it was determined that either a Monday, Friday, or Saturday would work better. Timeframes would be from 10:00 AM - noon, with a break for lunch, and then starting back up for the "second punch" that would go through the late afternoon.
  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers said that this is a good message if only for Department heads.
  • John Wise said we need to be asking ourselves "What's Going To Be Produced" and "What Do You Expect In (6) Six Months"?
  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers asked "What Treatment Programs Would Department Heads Endorse"?
  • Dianne Juhl said that we need to address informal services available in our community.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that we need to look at prevention/intervention.
  • Johanna Hansen Keller said that education is very important in getting others involved.
  • Ruth Westergard said that people come with a set idea, and that it is hard to get them to shift. She said that if dynamics are facilitated, we can then challenge preconceived notions. The right facilitator can pull it all together.
  • Dianne Juhl said compiling domestic violence and drugs statistics - how to shift.
  • John Wise said that getting press involvement/support would help us - then you would have the backing.
  • Dianne Juhl said raising consciousness, and awareness, framework, shifting, and a joint meeting of the planning committee and the Minority Services Group would be beneficial.

Decisions Reached

  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers said that he knows a black female F.B.I. that would be a great speaker for law enforcement, and court officials at this years summit meeting. Dianne Juhl would like to have an in person meeting and/or a conference call with her if Oudy Acosta Perez would attend with her. Dianne Juhl said that it would be a good idea to pursue the above.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that it would be good to hear local stories, but that there would be language barriers. She said that even gathering stories, and reading them would be good.
  • Dianne Juhl said that victims can't speak because they are afraid/ashamed. Oudy Acosta Perez said that maybe getting victims to speak freely would work instead. A videotape silhouette of the victim telling their stories would work better.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that another idea for the title of this year's summit meeting could address: "How Domestic Violence Destroys Values, Morals, and Heritage - Destruction Of The Above." Dianne Juhl said that we need to frame the Summit's theme, and content with a Summit title expressing our commitment as a Task Force
  • The upcoming Minority Services Meetings which are located in the first floor conference room of the Public Works Building are listed below:
  • August 27, 2002 @ 2:00 PM
  • November 19, 2002 @ 2:00 PM

Action Items

  • Kitsap County Sheriff's Deputy Benny Myers said that he would be looking into getting copies of the 911 tapes, and the dispatcher receiving the calls because they are powerful tool - he will be talking with the various supervisors involved. Dianne Juhl said that when we listen to survivor's experiences - those from underserved populations - in order to learn about their strategies to stay alive, be safe, and seek justice despite perceived or known barriers.
  • Oudy Acosta Perez said that she can probably get at least (2) two individuals to speak regarding their role as a perpetrator. She said that she might also be able to get a couple of victims to speak about how domestic violence has affected their lives.

Meeting adjourned.

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