Engaging Women Who Use Force

In the earliest days of the movement against intimate partner violence, the primary focus of the work was men’s use of violence against their female intimate partners. As part of this focus, early activists and providers also worked to seek justice for women who fought back against the violence they faced. Now, more and more women who use force, especially women of color, are finding themselves involved in the criminal legal system and even referred to abusive partner intervention programs. 

While more abusive partner intervention programs are working with women who use force, it’s important that these strategies integrate traditional understandings of intimate partner violence with a broader understanding of the context in which violence is used by women. During the webinar, presenters Doris O’Neal, Melissa Scaia, and Dr. Carolyn West will share their insights on not only the different types of intimate partner violence, but also best practices for responding to the needs, strengths, and experiences of women who use force. With respect to the criminalization of survivors, they will also explore the impacts of the criminal legal system at the intersection of gender, race, and intimate partner violence. 

As a result of this webinar, participants will be better able to: 

• Identify the different types of intimate partner violence as it relates to women’s use of force; 
• Understand the impact of criminalization on survivors, particularly Black women;
• Discuss two different approaches to working with criminalized survivors: Survivors FIRST and Turning Points for Domestic Violence 

Presenters

Doris O’Neal Director, YWCA of Seattle | King | Snohomish, Gender Based Violence Specializes Services 
Melissa Scaia Director of International Training, Global Rights for Women
Dr. Carolyn West Professor of Psychology, University of Washington