The connection between our LGBTQ community and the governor’s office will serve to illuminate the facets of domestic violence that specifically affect LGBTQ Vermonters. We are proud to announce that the director of SafeSpace, Catarina Campbell, has been appointed by Governor Phil Scott to the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence! Having representation present on this council will allow an LGBTQ perspective to be included in the important conversations held and the actions facilitated by the council. The mission statement of the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence is as follows:
“This council shall serve the community domestic violence task forces in their efforts to eliminate domestic violence by facilitating coordination of services, information and education. It shall provide safety for victims and support of survivors, promote effective prevention, intervention and treatment techniques, foster community responsibility, study needs of state programs and policies, review other state methods and recommend a model for Vermont, evaluate current laws and to identify and recommend change for systematic obstacles.”
Building this connection is a promising opportunity for SafeSpace, the Pride Center, and our local LGBTQ community. By holding a place on the council, there is now an established conduit between our community and the governor’s office that will serve to illuminate the facets of domestic violence that specifically affect LGBTQIA Vermonters, as well as relay concerns from the community itself to be heard by the council. We are so excited to be better able to serve our community and uplift survivors of domestic violence; we can’t wait to see what we can accomplish in tandem with the Vermont Council on Domestic Violence.
About SafeSpace
SafeSpace is a social change and social service program working to end physical, sexual, and emotional violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) people. We provide information, support, referrals, and advocacy to LGBTQH survivors of violence and offer education and outreach programs in the wider community. To connect with SafeSpace call 802-863-0003 or toll free at 866-869-7341.