UNSAFE at Home: A Strategy Summit on Domestic Violence in Cambridge
October 11th, 2011 - Councilor Decker, as Chair of the City Council’s Community Health Committee, hosted “UNSAFE at Home: A Strategy Summit on Domestic Violence in Cambridge” at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. The summit convened a gathering of community and business leaders, professional service providers and elected officials committed to a social issue that impacts so many people in Cambridge. The packed agenda included facilitated small group discussion focused on case studies, a moderated panel on innovative approaches and planning strategic next steps.
The summit brought together Cambridge professionals involved in different realms of domestic violence prevention and intervention for a dynamic discussion in the hopes of advancing community prevention and intervention practices. The summit allowed these folks to join with colleagues from different fields, learn about community prevention initiatives that work, help create an action agenda for a safer community. The hearing helped to chart a path forward, identifying concrete next steps and the resources we'll need to effect changes that will make our community safer and healthier. The hearing was facilitated by Ann Fleck-Henderson, a long time Cambridge resident, who holds a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a Board-Certified and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. The panelists included Ilana Amrani-Cohen, LICSW, PhD, director of Families with Voices, part of the domestic violence services of The Guidance Center at Riverside Community Care, Aimee Thompson Arevalo founding Executive Director of Close to Home. Also presenting as panelists, Julie Khan-Schaye a licensed clinical social worker specializing in family violence intervention, youth development and counseling and part of the executive management team at Transition House, and Rhonda Greene, a lifelong Cambridge resident and a founding member, and co-director of the Ladies Invitational Team Enterprise, LITE, a sport and education program dedicated to building self-esteem, confidence, and skill for girls ages 13-19.
Follow up hearings of the Council’s Community Health Committee regarding specific issues surrounding domestic violence prevention and intervention has already been scheduled. A hearing regarding Domestic Violence and Technology is scheduled for November 16th at 10:00am. A hearing regarding Domestic Violence and Housing has been scheduled for November 30th at 10:00am. Also, a hearing regarding Domestic Violence and Youth has been scheduled for December 14th at 10:00am. Another hearing regarding domestic violence and healthcare and mental health services for victims of domestic violence will also be scheduled. If you have any questions or are interested in attending these hearings please feel free to contact Councilor Decker.
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