workshop reports

What Can We do to Remove Barriers Created by Violence?

• When a woman in a program discloses that she has been or is being abused, it is important to be supportive and to believe her story. When a woman discloses, don't interrupt, don't speak for her, don't doubt her; do ask her what she wants to do about it. Offer her options and provide her with information so that she can make up her mind about what to do.

• Literacy workers are not counsellors. If a counsellor is not on staff, then literacy workers must receive training in what sexual assault and assault are, and how to respond appropriately. They also need to know how to do crisis intervention and conflict resolution, and they need anti-racist and sensitivity training. Literacy workers should receive help with stress management and coping with violence in their own lives.

• Women who use literacy programs need to be offered development programs so that they can become their own resource person and take on leadership roles. Programs need to develop co-operative learning environments and to build student independence.

• Many literacy programs have been made safer for women. For instance, some programs have: all-women classes with a woman facilitator; anti-violence, anti-racism and equity policies; resources that are relevant to women's lives, written in clear language; support in terms of child care; connections with and referrals to the women's centre in the community.

• Programs must have supportive environments that offer resources and integrate with other programs to build a network of supports. The culture of the program must affirm a woman's value and intellect, and let her regain integrity.

• Programs must provide safe and accessible learning space, a safe arrival and departure program, emergency housing, food and clothing. They also need to offer supportive curricula that relate to women's lives, are woman-positive, and help women bridge between literacy and other forms of education.

• The responsibility for removing barriers created by violence and making programs safer for women rests with the administrators and policy makers in programs and institutions. They need to be made aware of the impact of violence on women's learning, since they can make and implement anti-violence policies and act on them.

A network of women at the Toronto workshop has continued to meet to discuss the issues further, and to work on practical strategies to cope with and prevent violence in their programs.