Richmond Task Force to End Gender-Based Violence
November 26, 2024
Update to the Richmond City Council
Leadership: Task Force Members
Task Force Members (44) include survivors; community leaders; civic leaders; community-based organizations; and other community, public, and private stakeholders.
Leadership: Task Force Members (con’t)
Leadership: Task Force Members (con’t)
Organizations
● Nepali Health Advocates
● Office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
● Office of Contra Costa District Attorney
● Office of Mayor Eduardo Martinez
● Office of Neighborhood Safety
● Office of the Public Defender, Contra Costa
County
● Reentry Success Center
● Richmond Rainbow Pride
● Richmond Police Department
● Rubicon Programs
● West Contra Costa Unified School District
● Center for Empowering Refugees and
Immigrants
● City of Richmond’s Office of Neighborhood
Safety & Community Crisis Response
Program
● Community Strengths
● Community Violence Solutions
● Contra Costa Alliance to End Abuse (EHSD)
● The CHAT Project
● The Family Justice Center
● Fierce Advocates
● The Latina Center
Task Force Founding Partners
• Councilmember Soheila Bana, City of Richmond
• Trina Jackson-Lincoln, City Council Liaison & Project Coordinator, City of Richmond • Susun Kim, Executive Director, Family Justice Center
• Jenn Marshall, West Center Director, Family Justice Center • Miriam Wong, Executive Director & Founder, The Latina Center • Katherine Rife, Director of Policy & Communications, The Latina Center • Police Chief Bisa French, City of Richmond
• Ilaf Esuf, Office of Assemblymember Buffy Wicks
Task Force Advisors
Task Force Community Contributors
Task Force Planning Team
Background
Launch
March 28, 2024 @ 440 Civic Center
To create recommendations on policies and
actions to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in
Richmond that center the voices, lived
experience, and leadership of survivors and
community.
Purpose
Goals
1. Raise community awareness
2. Develop & align policies and practices
3. Create an inclusive decision-making table that centers survivors and community
4. Build sustaining collaboration, among partners, with a coordinated approach
Gender-Based Violence or “GBV”
● Domestic Violence
● Intimate Partner Violence
● Sexual Violence
● All Forms of Human Trafficking and
● Other forms of violence based on gender
across the lifespan
“Big P” and “Little p” Policy
• “Big P”
○ Legislative and executive actions (elected officials)
○ City, state, federal
○ Legislation, law, regulation
• “Little p”
○ Changes in organizational practices & priorities
○ Procedure manuals, organizational rules
“Big P” and “little p” Policy Examples
• “Big P” Example
○ Congress revises federal SNAP income limits, allowing more families to purchase nutritious food
• “Little p” Example
○ Nonprofit decides to only serve healthy snacks at
meetings
Meeting 1 @ Family Justice Center (May)
Meeting 2 @ Reentry Success Center (June)
Meeting 3 @ Rubicon Programs (July)
Meeting 4 @ Family Justice Center (September)
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
Meeting 5 @ RYSE Center (November)
Curriculum
“Dating Matters” @ De Anza High School
*DRAFT* Recommendations
Sample Draft Recommendations
by 4 Committees
*Committee Highlight*
COMMITTEE LEADERSHIP
• Nyabingha McDowell, CHAT Project
• Judy Johnson, Retired Contra Costa County Judge
• Robynne LaPorte, Community Violence Solutions
• Ligia Janeth Sierra, The Latina Center Community Leader & Psychologist • Soheila Bana, Richmond City Council
• LaShara Johnson, Family Justice Center
• Lili Gonzalez, Community Violence Solutions
29 1
4 2
5 3
7 6
8 9
The Why?
Our approach is centered on amplifying the voices of
Richmond’s most marginalized and unheard community
members, who are disproportionately impacted by
gender-based violence. We are committed to inclusive,
community-driven solutions that prioritize equity and
long-term change. Every recommendation we make
reflects our responsibility to educate, empower, and
foster collective healing. By working together, we aim to dismantle systemic violence and build a Richmond
where all individuals can live free from harm.
This is an Everybody Problem
30 2
4 1
5 3
7 6
8 9
Priority Population Areas
Gender-based violence breeds a silence that affects relationships, families, communities, and society. We recognize the unique struggles faced by different populations impacted by this silence and isolation. Through these priority areas, we are reimagining community by recommending a strategy that extends beyond our comfort zone and existing client base to reach those often excluded from the safety net.
The Unheard:
Community members disconnected from service
providers or organizations, often outside the traditional safety net. Our goal is to reach those who fall through the gaps.
Survivors:
Individuals impacted by gender-based violence, harmed by another community member or the community as a whole.
City Officials:
Key decision-makers with the power to shape laws, reform policies, and implement transformative practices that
foster community connection.
People Who Cause Harm (PWCH):
Individuals who inflict harm in their relationships or
communities but lack access to resources for intervention and support.
Youth:
Young people who may be unaware of intimate partner
violence (IPV) causes and resources available in their
community.
Elders:
Older community members who may not know about
available resources to address gender-based violence.
31 3
4 1
5 2
7 6
8 9
Priority Areas
Raise Awareness about GBV
Engage with the “Unheard Richmond community members”, elected officials, connect with community-based organizations, and launch a public awareness campaign to educate the Richmond Community about Gender-Based Violence.
Enhance Language Clarity Competency
Develop community-specific materials, conduct training workshops, and implement feedback mechanisms to ensure clear and effective communication about GBV.
Activate Community Ambassadors
Recruit and train community leaders as ambassadors, develop and distribute a comprehensive toolkit, and support and monitor ambassador activities to spread awareness and information about GBV.
32 33
34 35
Resolution
● Whereas, globally and locally in Richmond, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) remains pervasive and we are uniting to take action ○ Nov 25 is Int’l Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women ○ Nov 25 - Dec 10 is UN’s UNiTE 16 Days of Activism Against GBV #NoExcuse #UNiTE ○ Dec 10 is Int’l Human Rights Day
Resolution
● HONORS
○ Individuals and organizations who have come together as part of the Richmond Task Force to End Gender-Based Violence for their commitment, collaboration, and advocacy over the past year.
● REQUESTS
○ Staff Person as Liaison
○ Allocation of $6,000 over next six months (Task Force Coordination Support, Website, etc.)
○ City Webmaster creates link on homepage to Task Force anchor website when launched by Task Force.
○ City Manager reports on Task Force & City partnership on Feb 3, 2025 ○ City Council receives recommendations from Task Force in 3-6 months
¡Gracias! Thank You!