The Freedom Sisters are a collective of fierce women supporting women who have survived domestic abuse. Paula Lang is one of the founding members of the group that was formed in Sault Ste. Marie about six years ago. Paula is also a survivor of domestic abuse.
“Our goal really is to educate the community about domestic violence in particular,” remarked Paula. We are women survivors. We do recognize that there are men survivors but the statistics show that what happens for women tends to be more physically and financially damaging just because of the gender disparities that already exist.”
Believing in the healing and transformative power of storytelling, the Freedom Sisters share their experiences with one another as well as the community from a survivor’s perspective.
“We’re also really interested in speaking to people with all sorts of experiences who want to come to the table and share their ideas to figure out how we can go about changing the community as a whole so that domestic violence doesn’t happen,” explained Paula.
May 30th kicks off Victims and Survivors Week and it’s a milestone week for the Freedom Sisters. On June 2nd and 3rd the group is hosting their first major community conference called Supporting Voices of the North. The two day event hauls in a variety of professional talent to provide training to frontline workers that are often the first contact or support for victims and survivors of crime. Local community members will also be sharing their professional experiences working with victims and survivors of crime. And of course victims and survivors will also be sharing their lived experiences with conference delegates.
Supporting Voices of the North aims to raise awareness in regards to services, assistance, and laws in place available to help victims, survivors, and their families. Victims, survivors and professionals are all welcome to attend.
The Freedom Sisters pursued a grant through the Department of Justice Canada, motivated by the need to increase training opportunities for frontline workers who support victims and survivors of crime.
“Agencies in our community do so much for us but that frontline worker often doesn’t have access to training,” remarked Paula. “A lot of the services that help victims and survivors are non-profit organizations so I think in the scramble for funding, training allowances get cut.”
Paula elaborated of the need to train frontline workers. “We recognize as survivors ourselves people can have the right heart and be going on instinct. But sometimes people can say the wrong thing and that can have a major impact on a person.”
Fighting stigma associated with women who remain in abusive relationships has to happen on every front and according to Paul, changing the conversation and asking the right questions, remains an educational matter today.
“So many people ask ‘why did you stay’. But very few people ask ‘why did he hit her’ or ‘why does he abuse her’ or ‘why does he control her’ or ‘why does he stalk her’. And way too often those dynamics exist and they are reinforced by the police system or the court system.”
Event delegates will be coached on how to effectively communicate with victims and survivors.
“There’s many people who have experienced crime that honestly believe there is no hope for tomorrow With addictions, domestic violence, sexual violence and people in general who experience crime, there are moments where they feel that way,” shared Paula.
It’s worth noting that this event addresses all crime- not just violent crime.
“This is an inclusive event. Anybody can be a victim and it doesn’t have to be a violent crime. If somebody’s house is broken into they don’t feel safe there. Their sense of safety is damaged and that can be traumatizing for some people. Crime happens to doctors, lawyers and people that struggle with income.”
Crime also happens to men and men are often employed in positions that put them in contact with victims and survivors of crime. However, only a few men have registered for the event.
“Were not men-haters,” chuckles Paula. “We’re feminists. We believe in empowering women and children but we have husbands and boyfriends and male children that support what we do. And that’s very important for us because women on their own can’t make the change. It requires the whole community.”
There’s still time to register for the event. Please see the attached press release below for more information.
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Freedom Sisters would like to invite the community of Sault Ste. Marie to our “Supporting Voices of the North” conference June 2nd and June 3rd at the Delta Waterfront Hotel in honour of Survivor & Victims of Crime Week which starts May 30 until June 5th. This 2-day event is to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime about the services, assistance, and laws in place that are available to help victims, survivors, and their families.
We are excited to welcome CAST Canada on Day One with their “Trauma Essentials” workshop. This workshop has a dynamic blend of transformational experience, discussions, and information delivery for professionals. Day Two, we will welcome guest speaker, Pamela Cross, who will be presenting “It Should Be This Hard” and “Getting Practical” that would give those attending tools and tips for working with violence against woman with an afternoon with other guests.
If you are interested in attending, can register by email Freedom Sisters at freedomssistersSSM@shaw.ca with the attendees name(s), agency (if applicable), Day One and/or Day Two, and if you are a professional, student, or survivor. This educational experience has a cost of $25 per person for 1 day or $40 a person for both days. We have special rates for students and survivors.
For more information, you can call Dawn with Freedom Sisters at (705)297-3879.
We would also like to take this moment to thank the Department of Justice Canada for providing funding for this event.
Deadline for registration has been extended until noon on May 30th. Send in your registration today to reserve your seat!
