Caucuses & FCADV
A caucus represents disenfranchised and traditionally oppressed, frequently underrepresented groups of individuals. Caucus meetings provide an opportunity for caucus members to obtain support and work on issues to be brought forward to the entire FCADV membership. The caucus provides a common, collective voice to speak out for the caucus members.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What Caucuses are active with FCADV? View answer.
- May anyone attend a Caucus meeting? View answer.
- How do we know about the work of the caucuses? View answer.
- If I am interested in the work of a closed caucus may I attend to observe and learn? View answer.
- Caucus Information - Child Advocate Caucus
- Caucus Information - Battered and Formerly Battered Women's Caucus
- Caucus Information - Hispanic/Latin Caucus
- Caucus Information - Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus
- Caucus Information - Rural Caucus
- Caucus Information - Women of Color Caucus
What Caucuses are active with FCADV?
Six caucuses are active with the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. They are as follows:
| Caucus | Closed / Open |
|---|---|
| Battered and Formerly Battered Women's Caucus | Closed |
| Child Advocates Caucus | Open |
| Hispanic/Latin Caucus | Open |
| Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus | Closed |
| Rural Caucus | Open |
| Women of Color Caucus | Closed |
May anyone attend a Caucus meeting?
There are two types of caucuses, closed and open.
Three caucuses are CLOSED caucuses. A closed caucus means that only individuals who identify themselves as lesbian or bisexual women, women of color, or battered/formerly battered women may attend their respective caucus. Individuals who do not identify as a member of one of the closed caucuses may not attend meetings and are asked to support and respect the privacy and confidentiality of the caucus members, their meetings and their meeting spaces.
The CLOSED caucuses are the Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus, the Women of Color Caucus, and the Battered and Formerly Battered Women's Caucus.
Three caucuses are OPEN caucuses. Anyone may attend these caucuses if they wish to work on issues or be a voice on the issues.
The OPEN caucuses are the Rural Caucus, the Hispanic/Latin Caucus, and the Child Advocates Caucus.
How do we know about the work of the caucuses?
Each caucus elects a voting representative to the Board of Directors of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The caucus representative has time on the agenda to make a report on the work of the caucus at each membership and Board meeting.
If I am interested in the work of a closed caucus may I attend to observe and learn?
The closed caucuses are closed for safety and support. You are encouraged to read and study the issues that may affect the closed caucuses. You may also talk with the elected representatives of the closed caucuses who may recommend reading materials or additional ways you can learn and be supportive of the work of the closed caucuses.
Child and Youth Advocate Caucus Information
Child and Youth Advocate Representative:
Angel Marino
Peaceful Paths
P.O. Box 5099
Gainesville, FL 32627
352.377.5690
The Child and Youth Caucus is a statewide coalition of activists concerned about children and youth affected by domestic violence, teen dating violence and sexual assault. As a group we work to provide resources, educational materials and assessment tools for domestic violence centers to use with their participants. The Child and Youth Caucus provides a forum to network, share ideas and to discuss innovative approaches and materials. The purpose of this caucus is to serve as a voice for those who work with or are concerned about children and youth and to encourage the development of resources and services that are appropriate for children and teenagers from violent homes. We are committed to building strong alliances with others that work to end oppression. In addition, we help organize and plan FCADV's Child and Youth Training Institute. The Child and Youth Caucus is open to anyone who is passionate about children and youth affected by domestic violence, teen dating violence and sexual assault. While many of our members work as child advocates at domestic violence centers, we also have representatives from Guardian ad Litem, community members and individuals from other agencies.
Battered and Formerly Battered Women's Caucus
Battered/Formerly Battered Women Representative:
Verrita Walters
PO Box 414
St. Petersburg, Florida 33731
(727)895-4912
The Battered and Formerly Battered Women's Caucus is made up of women who are interested in working together to promote the end of domestic violence. The caucus is an outlet for women working, volunteering or participating in a shelter program who have experienced violence, and for women who are not connected to shelters, but recognize that they have experienced domestic violence in their lives. The purpose of the caucus is to create opportunities for women to gain respect as the experts in their field of interest, as well as to develop leadership skills.
Hispanic/Latin Caucus
Hispanic/Latin Representative:
Michelle Collier
Safehouse of Seminole
P.O. Box 2921
Sanford, FL 32772-2921
Admin Phone: 407-302-5220
Admin Fax: 407-302-5218
Hotline: 407-330-3933
Mission Statement - We exist to embrace our Hispanic/Latin Culture, and to promote the development and empowerment of a support network for anyone providing services to the Hispanic/Latin victims of domestic violence.
Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus
Lesbian and Bisexual Womyn's Representative:
Jessica Moreno
SPARCC
2139 Main Street
Sarasota, FL 34237
Phone: (941)365-0208
Fax: (941)365-4919
The Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus is open to Lesbian and Bisexual Women who support the work of the Battered Women's Movement. The purpose of the Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus is to advocate for the inclusion of lesbian and bisexual women's voices in the work to end violence and to encourage the development of resources and services appropriate for the survivors of same sex domestic violence.
The Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus is interested in building strong alliances with others that work to end oppression. We recognize that domestic violence is a form of oppression and we encourage accountability for those who perpetuate all forms of oppression.
It is our goal to create safe and supportive forums that promote the visibility and empowerment for lesbian and bisexual women who work in this movement. Part of creating safe and supportive forums and of empowering lesbians who work in the Battered Women's Movement is providing for the confidentiality of it's members and of other lesbian and bisexual women who work in and support the movement. Each individual must determine, based on her own experience, preference and situation, whether it is best for her to be "out". Therefore, it is the position of the Lesbian Caucus that confidentiality of membership be maintained and revered. It is also the position of this caucus that no lesbian or bisexual woman will be "outed" in any way by the members of the Lesbian & Bisexual Womyn's Caucus.
Rural Caucus
Rural Representatives:
Susan Blackie
Another Way
P.O. Box 5365
Clearwater, Florida 33782
Mission Statement - The mission of the Rural Caucus of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence is to help to overcome the barriers which are unique to rural victims of domestic violence. Through education and advocacy, these barriers which include but are not limited to, a lack of resources, isolation, lack of transportation, lack of privacy, sexism, racism, anti-Semitism, religious biases, homophobia, victim blaming, lack of accountability, and stereotypical "small town" attitudes will begin to be bridged. We believe our commitment to overcoming these barriers is a crucial step in ending domestic violence against those living in rural communities and everywhere.
Women of Color Caucus
Women of Color Representative:
Donna Richardson
P.O. Box 5365
Clearwater, Florida 33782
727-644-9424 (cell)
727-298-3916 (work)
drichardson@family-resources.org or
ladyd3026@yahoo.com
Mission Statement - Our purpose is to provide a safe space, support and empowerment to women of color in the battered women's movement. It is our challenge to ensure that our issues are included within the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, in all areas of the battered women's movement and in our own society and to advocate for the women of color.
We are committed to women of color sharing in all levels of responsibility, all areas of program participation, and in their implementation. It is our challenge to further educate others and increase awareness of women of color. We also share in the responsibility to not accept racism and to work toward its elimination along with all forms of oppression.
FLORIDA COALITION AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
All calls to FCADV and services provided by FCADV are confidential.
425 Office Plaza Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32301
Phone (850) 425-2749 ‡ FAX (850) 425-3091
Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
TTY Hotline: 1-800-621-4202
