Underserved Populations

We want to have members of the underserved populations join the Committee, as well as those providing services to them, and those with expertise in issues affecting them. So far, we have identified the following underserved populations (feel free to suggest others, and to share your thoughts on how best to describe or identify them):

1. Women of color

2. Survivors with Limited English Proficiency

3. Members of the farmworker community

4. Members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, and Questioning community

5. Spouses and partners of military personnel

6. Spouses and partners of members of law enforcement

7. Undocumented individuals from foreign countries and members of Indigenous Populations

8. Children in households experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault

9. Women with disabilities

10. Women from countries with a cultural bias toward male dominance

11. The elderly

12. Women in insular communities

13. Women who are economically disadvantaged

14. Native Americans

To apply to join, or to send comments and suggestions, contact Marc Dubin, Esq., Chair, at mdubin@pobox.com or at 305 896 3000.

Report -- Meeting of the UPC Committee - Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

 The Committee met at the CIL, and addressed a variety of issues, summarized below:

  Need for Outreach and Education - 
The UPC Committee discussed the need to increase membership. Possible solutions:

• Identify schedule of meetings of other organizations serving members of underserved populations and attend their meetings to let them know about the UPC Blog and Committee goals. Invite them to join the UPC Committee.

• Participate in events in the community and share literature and information. Seek to have Committee members added as speakers at community events.

• Get websites to add a link to the Committee's Blog (www.underservedpopulationscommittee.org)

• We created subcommittees -- each underserved population will have a subcommittee, and will develop goals and means of achieving the goals. If you are interested in joining a subcommittee, let us know by contacting Marc Dubin, Esq., Chair, at mdubin@pobox.com or by phone, at 305-896-3000.

•  Education and Outreach Campaigns --  We will develop specific campaigns to enhance awareness of the Committee -- Suggested Campaigns include:

 The Prejudice Has Consequences Campaign:
This campaign will educate members of the community about how attitudes and prejudices result in violence against individuals who are members of underserved populations, and will seek to identify ways to raise consciousness about cultural sensitivity, myths and stereotypes, hate crimes, and language concerns.Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved with this campaign.

The Ambassador Campaign:
Often, those seeking to provide services to members of underserved population are uncertain about how best to address their needs, and often fee uncomfortable about language, social customs, and other features of the culture of the underserved population. This Campaign seeks to identify members of the various underserved populations and utilize their life experience and expertise to educate others and build bridges. Training in public speaking will be offered.Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved with this campaign.

The Speakers Bureau Campaign:
This Campaign seeks to identify speakers interested in educating others about the matters of concern to the particular underserved population, and seeks to provide speakers to other groups to enhance their understanding of the population. This Campaign also seeks to identify individuals with subject matter expertise to share their ideas with Committee members, DVSAC, and groups interested in learning from them. Please let us know if you are interested in getting involved with this campaign

Committee meetings will be held every month, at the CIL of South Florida, located at 6660 Biscayne Blvd., in Miami, Limited parking is available on-site. Call Marc at 305-896-3000 with any questions, ideas, or concerns or write to the Committee at mdubin@pobox.com..You may also participate by phone, by calling 800-204-5502 - The participation code is 938460#.


Visit this Blog (www.underservedpopulationscommittee.org) for updates, or add your name and email address to our listerv, by writing to Marc at mdubin@pobox.com..

 The Underserved Populations Committee is a project of the DVSAC (Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Council) of Miami Dade County.



To apply to join, or to send comments and suggestions, contact Marc Dubin, Esq., Chair, at mdubin@pobox.com or at 305 896 3000.

Sexual Violence and Native American Women

Study:

"34% of American Indian women reported experiencing an attempted or completed

rape in their lifetime, compared with 18.8%of African American women, 17.7% of white women, and 6.8% of Asian American women ([29]Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006). Population specific research suggests that American Indians are reticent to report their victimization ([30]Wahab & Olson, 2004). 

Estimates of underreporting suggest 70% of sexual assaults of American Indians go unreported [31]Wahab & Olson, 2004). Reasons include fear of white agencies'racism, fear of being ostracized by family and friends, guilt,

shame, and not knowing in which jurisdiction to report the crime ([32]Wahab &

 Olson, 2004)."

To apply to join, or to send comments and suggestions, contact Marc Dubin, Esq., Chair, at mdubin@pobox.com or at 305 896 3000.

Groundbreaking study finds pervasive discrimination against transgender people

Groundbreaking study finds pervasive discrimination against transgender people

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Center for Transgender Equality (NCTE) released a comprehensive new report yesterday, “Injustice at Every Turn,” revealing the depth of discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming people in a wide range of areas, including education, health care, employment, and housing.    Based on responses from over 6,450 participants, the report is the first large-scale national study of discrimination against transgender and gender non-conforming people. The results are astonishing and alarming: 41% of respondents reported attempting suicide, compared to only 1.6% of the general population. Respondents were twice as likely to be unemployed as the population as a whole.  One in five respondents experienced homelessness because of their gender identity or expression. Respondents were nearly four times more likely to live in extreme poverty, with household income of less than $10,000. Yet, despite these hardships, transgender and gender non-conforming persons persevere. Over 78% reported feeling more comfortable at work and their performance improving after transitioning, despite the same levels of harassment in the workplace. No one should be out of a job, living in poverty, or faced with sub-par health care simply because of their gender identity or expression. The scope of the problem is clear.  It's up to all of us to work towards a solution. Learn more about the survey, and visit endtransdiscrimination.org to get involved and take action.

To apply to join, or to send comments and suggestions, contact Marc Dubin, Esq., Chair, at mdubin@pobox.com or at 305 896 3000.