Finding Our Voice, Sharing Our Vision

Ending Violence Against Women and Children

Themes Used In Teaching

The following samples of our work represent the past six years of planning and teaching dynamic and interactive classes at Portland State University in Portland, Oregon. We are pleased to be in a strong position of completing ninety classes on violence against women and children to well over 3,000 students. We are pleased to invite you to join us! We would love to expand the circle of teaching this vital and state of the art education to other university and college campuses. Will you help us?

When we taught our first class in 1997, we felt certain that our students would find the information helpful to them both personally and professionally. However, we never imagined the positive scope and breadth of our students' responses to the materials, speakers, and topics covered. The model described on this page works as an agent of change allowing students to assimilate materials while learning ways to take care of themselves and those whom they love.

We believe there are many students that can benefit from this material. We know there are others who also want to teach this subject with passion and open-mindedness, to achieve the same powerful results. This class allows critical dialogue to take place. One quarter to one third of our students are men. We welcome everyone and we have now begun having graduate students instruct, providing wonderful role models of learning and activism.

These courses are approved for continuing education credits through the National Association of Social Workers, giving community people the opportunity to gain 7.5 hours of CEUs by their weekend attendance. This added group enriches our class discussion and brings field workers into contact with information that they need to grow professionally and refine skills and knowledge.

Please contact us by e-mail or phone, and together we can begin planning these courses in your area of the country. We have great ideas to share and would love to hear your thoughts.

I. Introduction to Interpersonal Violence

This workshop begins with an examination of the roots of interpersonal violence after which the dynamics of domestic violence, its cause, its effects and community resources will follow. Next we will consider the issues of sexual assault, focusing on child sexual abuse. The social norms that influence these acts of interpersonal violence as well as the psychological results of sexual violence will be discussed. Finally we will look at the big picture of interpersonal violence and show how it all relates.

II. Interventions for Interpersonal Violence Series

III. Children and Interpersonal Violence Series

IV. Interpersonal Violence and Special Population Series

V. Interpersonal Violence and Special Issues