There are few silver linings that can be found during a pandemic, but the ability to obtain information that ordinarily might not be available is definitely a one of them. This year, CALCASA made “Bold Moves,” the National Sexual Assault Conference (NSAC), virtual and available at no charge for anyone wanting to attend (found at this link). It was done this way in direct response to the corona pandemic. Free and convenient access is highly beneficial as funding is usually a prohibitive factor to many who would like to attend the normally on location conference. NSAC was  live during the first week of September, but access to the recorded plenary speakers and breakout sessions continues to be available for those who’d like to view them.  The general theme of the speakers and of the workshops focused on ways to overcome social and racial injustices and inequities that continue to feed exploitation and sexual violence. Cutting-edge information included effective and relevant practices and examined culturally appropriate programs and services to underserved communities.

CALCASA has made it easy for viewers to do their own individualized “lunch and learns” any day of the week. The plenaries speak for anywhere from 15 to 25 minutes and are individually listed. The breakout sessions average about an hour and a half and are individually listed, as well. Each recording has the title and synopsis.

Among the plenary speakers were: 

FARAH TANIS: Transnational Black feminist, human rights activist and co-founder, Executive Director of Black Women’s Blueprint, JACKSON KATZ: Jackson Katz, Ph.D., is an educator, author, and social theorist who is internationally renowned for his pioneering scholarship and activism on issues of gender, race and violence, BAMBY SALCEDO: Bamby is a national and international Transgender Latina Woman who just obtained her Masters Degree in Latino/a Studies, and ALICIA GARZA: Alicia Garza is an Oakland-based organizer, writer, public speaker and freedom dreamer who is currently the Special Projects Director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance, the nation’s leading voice for dignity and fairness for the millions of domestic workers in the United States. 

Some of the workshops include:

SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS NOT RACE NEUTRAL: ANALYZING THE CO-OPTION OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AS A TOOL OF WHITE SUPREMACY: Personal reflection centered on the question, “What is my role in creating community accountability?”

NOTHING FOR US WITHOUT US: TROUBLING AFFINITY SPACES IN TIMES OF CATASTROPHE: This  workshop will share strategies by Black Women’s Blueprint where Black feminists have devised new praxis and evolved pedagogies of prevention at the intersection of radical models of restorative justice, truth and reconciliation and full criminal justice system abolition.

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE IN ABOLITIONIST TIMES: As abolitionist and transformative justice movements gain power and traction, many survivors, are asking but what does accountability mean for rape and sexual violence?

WHAT IS YOUR SURVIVORS’ AGENDA?: The Survivors’ Agenda Initiative is a multi-racial, multi-disciplinary collective of organizations who believe that survivors should be the ones shaping the national conversation on sexual violence.

HOW CAN RESHAPING OUR WORK WITH MEN BECOME THE CURE?: A reimagining of Fatherhood, Manhood & Masculinity on the other side of the intersecting epidemics COVID-19, Systemic Violence and Gender Violence.

NM-PROVES: THE EFFECTS OF SCHOOL POLICIES AND PRACTICES ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE AMONG LGBTQ STUDENTS: The effects of four school policies and practices on the risk of sexual violence among LGB and TGNC students were studied in New Mexico. Viewers learn about the findings, the policy implications and the interpretation of results.