By Andrea Stevens
AFRO Staff Writer
astevens@afro.com
The Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. moved from awareness to action on Feb. 23 with a physical and mental health event that brought together experts, survivors, advocates and community members. The transformative community workshop focused on the red flags that come with domestic abuse and human trafficking. The afternoon also empowered attendees with essential self-defense skills, making for an evening of education, empowerment and action.
“Our goal is to empower women and girls, and that looks like us setting them up for success in many ways. Not only in a physical perspective of how to defend themselves, but to be holistic in our approach,” Kenya Adams, who serves as first vice president of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter, told the AFRO.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “about 16 million women and 11 million men who reported experiencing intimate partner violence in their lifetime said that they first experienced it before age 18.” The CDC also reports “about 41 percent of women and 26 percent of men experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime.”
Shannon Blair-Albright, chair of the physical and mental health committee for the chapter, said “February is most associated with Valentine’s Day, but we all know that not all love is necessarily good love.” Also, that “there are a lot of women that are experiencing domestic abuse, being sex trafficked throughout the whole world, and we wanted to focus on those two things.”
The event was a partnership with the House Of Ruth Maryland, an organization focused on women who are victims of homelessness and abuse; Araminta, a non-profit group focused on human trafficking awareness and prevention, and the women of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. All parties involved aimed to help the public understand the dangers of domestic violence and other types of trauma.
Candace Parrot the chief engagement officer of Araminta Maryland gave an in-depth look on the background workings of human trafficking and how gender does not play a role.
“The myths are that the trafficker is male and the victim is female. Absolutely not the case– whether it’s the trafficker, the buyer or the victim– they look like us and they are always male and/or female in any role.”
Parrot said that every county in the state of Maryland has some type of trafficking issue, whether it be child, organ, sex trafficking.
“Everyone is looking for that white van, I’ll say it a million times. It’s not that white van, it’s the people that are profiling your kids, they will groom them for 3-6 months and from there, they are bringing them into this world.” she said. “Tracking your kids, make sure you know what they’re doing, who are they speaking to in chat rooms”
Parrot noted that laws have changed to better support victims of human trafficking.
“Up until 2012 children that were caught in a sex trafficking ring, were charged with child prostitution,” she said. “There is no such thing as child prostitution.”
While Parrot held her workshop, Angelique Black-McCoy, the associate director of training and engagement for House of Ruth Maryland, spoke on signs of domestic abuse.
“The framework is around power and control. Most people just assume it’s around physical abuse- there’s always a power dynamic. They might be exhibiting small things to control you, whether it’s with your money, your reproductive health…not wanting you to spend time with others.”
In addition to domestic violence, Black- McCoy also spoke on the negative impact of can result from a lack of boundaries and self care.
Geraldine Finch, president of the Baltimore Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., said she hopes the women who were in attendance at the sold out event now understand the importance of prioritizing self-care.
“The number one thing is to take care of yourself. Put yourself first, it’s not selfish. Make sure you find time for yourself,” she said. “We are the ones that lead the family and take care of everyone. We make sure there’s food on the table. We make sure that everyone’s ready for school and out the door on time– but who’s checking in on us? Find someone to check in to you and see if you’re okay.”
Clarrissa Taylor Jackson, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. who works in the mental health field, said she was glad the domestic violence session also addressed things like second-hand or vicarious trauma and burnout.
“The nature of my work is vicarious trauma. If you’re not careful, you can start to carry the trauma of the people that you’re supporting,” said Clarrissa Jackson. “Folks come in and out of our lives on the workday.”
This impactful event aligned with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.’s long-held goals.
President Finch said her chapter follows the sorority’s “five point programmatic thrusts and physical and mental health is one. This workshop took care of the physical aspect.”