Sexual Assault Response Training in Puerto Rico

Friday July 15, 2011

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Earlier this year, the YWCA was honored when Alva Moreno, Director of Sexual Assault Crisis Services, was approached by Puerto Rico Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault  (Coordinadora Paz Para La Mujer) to deliver Sexual Assault Advocate Training  to a group of leaders in Puerto Rico. For over 12 years, the coalition has been addressing all needs related to sexual assault and domestic violence for the entire island. The training took place during the Spring in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

"We approached this event as a ‘Train the Trainer' opportunity," explained Ms. Moreno. "Usually, we have six weeks to deliver the 40 hours of training but for this training we did it in a week. It was intense and these women were dedicated!"

The group of 17 women represented the coalition as well as the Health Department in San Juan and the university. Also, the Vice President of the local YWCA, who is an active member of the board for the coalition, attended the training. With a goal of strengthening their skills around sexual assault, the group focused on such information as how to create change on a political level, detailed information regarding rape trauma syndrome and critical listening skills for when someone calls the hotline.

"This group of gifted, committed women already possess the foundation and are dedicated to eradicating sexual assault and domestic violence in their community," continued Moreno. "They wanted to hone their skills and become certified so they could replicate the training and broaden the base of responders on the island."

 

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