Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month

January 28, 2022 – Our CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator, Jovita Belgarde presented to Native youth in the SFIS Health and Wellness program about what consent is and how to ask for it and what boundaries are and how to set them.

Trudy Tsosie is a Principal Victim Witness advocate for the Navajo Nation Family Harmony Program and manages the first domestic violence shelter operated by the Navajo Nation.  Ms. Tsosie is a Dine woman from Shiprock, New Mexico, and is the Water Flow Together Clan born for Red Running into the water people. Ms. Tsosie has 18 years’ experience working with victims/survivors of domestic, sexual, and family violence. Ms. Tsosie is a Board Member for Capacity Builders Inc. Community Advisory Board. Currently, Ms. Tsosie manages the first Domestic Violence operated by the Navajo Nation and supervises victim advocates to provide program services. Her primary responsibility is the shelter operating 24/7 and advocates providing quality services to victims impacted by violence. She has worked with the Navajo Nation Family Harmony Program since July 2017 and assisted the Navajo Nation with opening its first shelter. Family Harmony Program is a tribal domestic violence program and provides numerous services across the Navajo Nation.  Prior to working for the Navajo Nation, Ms. Tsosie work with Capacity Builders Inc. as a program coordinator managing two programs in Winslow, Arizona as she implemented the Sexual Assault and Family Justice grants with providing Western Agency of the Navajo Nation with program services. In 2017, Ms. Tsosie worked as a Legislative District Assistance for Honorable Council Delegate Amber Crotty and continued to work with the community and provide services to victims impacted by violence. From April 2003 to June 2017, Ms. Tsosie work for the Home for Women and Children which was a former Domestic Violence shelter and nonprofit organization as a Shelter advocate, shelter manager, and Executive Director. The many years of advocating for victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence, Ms. Tsosie is dedicated to providing quality services in a diligent, safe and confidential manner.  She continues to promote awareness and education on the Navajo Nation by collaborating with other agencies to improve the gaps in services. Trudy’s work to end violence in her community is appreciated very much and we honor the years of commitment and service. Khud-kem (Thank you), Trudy. Congratulations! Tiffany Jiron Advocate Coordinator

January 28, 2022 – Our CSVANW Native Youth Coordinator, Jovita Belgarde presented to Native youth in the SFIS Health and Wellness program about what consent is and how to ask for it and what boundaries are and how to set them.

January 14, 2022 – CSVANW’s Sexual Violence Project Coordinator, Floripa Olguin, attended the open mic for the students of the New Mexico School of Arts walkout at the New Mexico Roundhouse in Santa Fe. Floripa, alongside partner organizations, listened to student testimonies in support of advocacy for affirmative consent in New Mexico.

January 20, 2022 – New DV Executive Directors from across New Mexico gathered for a New Director Orientation hosted by the NM Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This cohort of new EDs gained skills to support them in their new roles. CSVANW provided an overview of our services, outreach, and program priorities. Good luck to our new leaders!

January 26, 2022 – CSVANW Sex Trafficking Project Coordinator Michele Curtis coordinated and facilitated a conversation around human trafficking awareness, continuous care for trafficking survivors, and case management and resources. CSVANW collaborated with Street Safe New Mexico and First Nations Community HealthSource’s EAST Program to offer presentations and insight in direct care of trafficking survivors. The discussion allowed community members to ask questions and understand the dynamics of trafficking and how programs assist relatives in exiting trafficking in a safe and trauma-informed way.

January 25, 2022 – CSVANW Training and Education Director Jolene Holgate, Missing & Murdered Diné Relatives Task Force, and the Navajo Department of Behavioral and Mental Health Services collaborated to hold a virtual event that focused on the dynamics of human trafficking on the Navajo Nation. Community members and providers were provided valuable insight into human trafficking initiatives and policies, grooming tactics, and support on the Nation for trafficking survivors. To watch the event, you can visit the NNDBMHS Facebook page

January 27, 2022 – The Durango Sexual Assault Services Organization held a virtual panel in which the CSVANW Training and Education Director Jolene Holgate provided a presentation on human trafficking in tribal communities, indicators, and it’s connection to the MMIWR crisis in New Mexico and the Four Corners region. CSVANW had the opportunity to answer questions from community and providers regarding land/body violence and how to support awareness efforts of task forces and community organizers. For more information on SASO, please visit their website at: https://www.durangosaso.org/

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