Newswriting + Reporting

 World Wide Conferences for Women’s Shelters

On September 8, 2008 the first World Conference of Women’s shelters was held in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.   The theme was “Discovering the Common Core – Practical Framework for Change”, a good place to begin when bringing the world together to discuss the common thread of domestic violence (DV).  The conference was held for 4 days and it was the first time that “family violence prevention workers in Canada and around the world came together to network, to share proven innovations, and to learn from international experts and each other”.  Four years later the second conference was held in Washington, DC on February 27, 2012 and the goals and objectives did not change – to bring global awareness to the violence that is committed against women and their children. 

The first conference delegates and attendees established the groundwork for support and research. It was a time to hear the struggles and the triumphs of the realities of maintaining a shelter and providing the assistance that is so badly needed to keep families safe from their perpetrators.  This year’s conference was even more dynamic and accomplishing.  Held in the capital of the United States, Washington, DC, the world was shaken into DV awareness a little more as the shock waves of victim’s voices and their protectors vibrated forth from the core epicenter of political authority.

President Bill Clinton was the featured speaker on the third night, February 29.  The Conference organizers were especially honored to have him as a supporter. His speech focused on the acts and laws that he signed into existence while he was in office.  Other speakers included women and some men from around the world who has dealt with domestic violence in some form.  Some of the awe-inspiring speakers included: Brenda Lubine-Coolbaugh, incarcerated for 26 years for killing her abuser. While she was in prison “she started the first inmate-initiated and inmate-led support group for victims of abuse in the nation, called: Convicted Women Against Abuse, that has become nationally known for getting laws changed in the state of California.” Ms. Lubine-Coolbaugh founded "Every 9 Seconds," a non-profit.  Speaker ”Karin Alfredsson,  journalist and author, spends a significant amount of her time reporting, and writing about, women’s situations from all over the world.  The list of over 200 speakers was impressive, but more important was the message “peace and development can be achievable only when women and girls are given equal voice and opportunity in their communities and when violence against women no longer exists… Finally, as we work toward finding solutions to end violence against women, the voices of victims, as experts, need to be part of the conversation. The delegates attending WCWS will represent the voices of victims, and bring to light their experiences, determination and incredible bravery. Together, we will find solutions that end violence against women.”J.McGhee