Seminar to be held in Buffalo August 1-2
Issues of oppression and their intersection with violence will be the focus of a two-day conference hosted by Catholic Charities of Buffalo’s Domestic Violence Program for Men, in collaboration with the National Organization for Men Against Sexism (NOMAS) and VCS Inc. Domestic Violence Program for Men of New York City. The conference, titled “A Summer Gathering!,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 1, and Friday, Aug. 2, at the Tewksbury Lodge, 249 Ohio St., Buffalo.
Presentations will take a closer look at classism, racism, LGBTQ+, the Safe Child Act, and the essential elements and requirements to achieve offender accountability through the lens of oppression.
Special attention will be given to a discussion on how the New York Model for Batterer Programs supports the work of local, state and national battered women’s advocates. Based upon social justice and anti-oppression analysis, the New York Model also works in conjunction with the criminal and civil justice systems to create an environment of accountability for the men who come before the court for acts of domestic violence against an intimate female partner.
Presenters include: Phyllis B. Frank, NOMAS National Council, co-director and founding director of the National Training Institute – New York Model for Batterer Programs; Gregory R. White, NOMAS National Council, co-director of National Training Institute – New York Model for Batterer Programs and director of the Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program for Men; Moshe Rozdzial, NOMAS co-chair; Rachael Parrino, engagement and education specialist, PRIDE Center of WNY; David Greene, professor emeritus of psychology at Ramapo College of New Jersey; and Barry Goldstein, J.D., co-editor of “Domestic Violence Abuse and Child Custody,” author of “Scared to Leave, Afraid to Stay,” and instructor and supervisor in the NY Model Batterer Program.
The event is geared toward advocates, judiciary, and domestic violence court personnel, batterer program staff, IPV program staff, social workers and counselors. Those who work with offenders in other venues and are interested in issues of oppression and the intersection of violence are also invited and encouraged to attend.
“Our main priority is to hold offenders accountable,” said White, “and to train those in our field about accountability programming to the best of our ability.”
The conference is approved and attendees can qualify for continuing education credits by the NYS Education Department for Licensed Social Workers and Mental Health Practitioners.
For more information about cost or to register for the training, please call White or Sam Yuwar, Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program for Men, at (716) 856-4494 or email White at gregory.white@ccwny.org or Yuwar at sam.yuwar@ccwny.org.
Catholic Charities Domestic Violence Program for Men works for systemic social change as part of the Coordinated Criminal Justice Response to ending domestic violence. In collaboration with police agencies, family and criminal justice courts, district attorney’s office, probation and victim services, the program is one of four batterer programs in New York State and the only local New York Model for Batterers Program in Western New York endorsed by the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and the National Organization for Men Against Sexism.
For further information about the organization and its programs and services, contact Catholic Charities at (716) 218-1400 or go to ccwny.org. You can also join us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
