OUR purpose
VIOLENCE SHOULDN’T BE THE NORM
Unspoken Voices was created in 2014 to give a voice to those who have lost the strength, will, or ability to speak out. This non-profit organization was created to:
(I) Ensure that the voices of victim/survivors of power-based violence, marginalization, and oppression are heard
(II) Provide positive systemic reform through empowerment, education, and advocacy;encouraging us to become active bystanders willing to effect positive change.
WE • SPEAK • UP
Education
Stand UP, Step IN, Speak OUT—Unspoken Voices was honored to provide bystander and violence prevention programming from 2015-2020. This programming was key to providing the education needed for a greater understanding of what personal, power-based violence is and the various precursors that often preclude an act of violence.
We believe that effective programming mitigates the incidences of violence and sexual assault through effective peer and cultural influence. Unspoken Voices provides tools for individuals that encourage and empower them to feel comfortable and competent in becoming active rather than passive bystanders. The intervention tools used in our programs were research-based and relevant to how individuals can engage and intervene in aggressive peer scenarios.
As an organization, we try to look at issues from all sides. Our programming encourages individuals to create the positive societal and cultural changes that we need. At no point do we point fingers or treat anyone as an offender or victim. We encourage everyone to achieve a common goal together by facilitating, educating, listening, and advocating for justice and reconciliation.
While this programming primarily focused on violence prevention, awareness, and education; we also know that many subjects intersect with our program focus such as mental health, diversity and cultural understanding, and childhood education.
Empowerment
Fragmentary: A Mosaic Project has been showcased at several events and festivals including 2019 Twin Cities Pride. The narratives and voices of this collective dream will continue to be honored throughout the next couple of years as part of our focus on healing individual trauma through community empowerment.
Advocacy
Best Practices
In 2019, Unspoken Voices E.D. completed the Office of Justice Programs’ Minnesota Victim Assistance Academy. (MNVAA) is a series of comprehensive, academically based trainings to build the capacity of victim assistance providers, victim advocates, law enforcement, criminal justice and other professionals who work with victims of crime.
At the State Level
Unspoken Voices has done a tremendous amount of work at the MN State Capitol and continues to make huge strides for survivors on a legislative level. KiloMarie currently serves on the MN Criminal Sexual Conduct Statutory Reform Working Group (CSC SRWG) Steering Committee, Crime Victim Needs Assessment Advisory Group, in addition to various sub-committees.
Unspoken Voices has been honored to present at multiple state conferences throughout 2019 and into 2020, including the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault Annual Symposium and the UMD Equity & Diversity Summit. KiloMarie also works on behalf of the organization to advocate for crime victim’s rights at the state and national level during the legislative season.
Proposed Legislation
Unspoken Voices drafted "The Victim's Right to Review " bill. This bill was drafted for the purpose of requiring the State of Minnesota to pass a Victims’ Right to Review Law, in which victims of Criminal Sexual Conduct, pursuant to MN Statutes 609.342; 609.343; 609.344; 609.345; and in certain cases, in which repeat offenses have been made, 609;3451, would have a right to an impartial review of criminal sexual conduct case in which a county attorney made the decision not to prosecute the case or to terminate proceedings. This is a bill that has not made it to a hearing. Please help us continue fighting for the voices of survivors as they regain their power.
COME SEE for yourself The Good Work We Advocate For
Bringing Safety for People In Need, Awareness to the Community, and Tools to Advocate for Social Justice.
Definitions and resources
Our greatest dream and utmost, central goal is to educate our communities about the prevalence of power-based violence, racial oppression, systemic marginalization, domestic violence, drug addiction, bullying, homo- and trans-phobia, sex trafficking, stalking, rape, and other various forms of brutality against individuals. You may believe that such violence does not exist in your community. Believe us—it does. Our intention in offering these resources and creating change behind educating the public about them is not so much to trigger or hurt individuals, but rather to inform each and every one of us the steps we might take to save someone's life. Even yours.
if you are in immediate danger, please call 911 now!
Sexual Assault Definition
Sexual assault is any type of forced or coerced sexual contact or behavior that happens without consent. Sexual assault includes rape and attempted rape, child molestation, and sexual harassment or threats. In the United States, nearly one in five women has been raped and almost half of women have experienced another type of sexual assault.1 If you have been sexually assaulted, it is not your fault. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
Domestic Violence Definition
Domestic violence is the willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and/or other abusive behavior as part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. It includes physical violence, sexual violence, psychological violence, and emotional abuse. The frequency and severity of domestic violence can vary dramatically; however, the one constant component of domestic violence is one partner’s consistent efforts to maintain power and control over the other. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
What is Stalking?
Stalking is defined as a willful course of conduct involving repeated or continuing harassment made against the expressed wishes of another individual, which causes that individual to feel emotional distress including fear, harassment, intimidation or apprehension. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
What is Sex Trafficking?
Sex trafficking is a form of modern slavery that exists throughout the United States and globally. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.
The Correlation Between Trauma & Substance Abuse
A definite, remarkable and significant correlation exists between a person's past experience (as well as ongoing-) trauma and substance abuse. At Unspoken Voices, we not only acknowledge this significant interrelationship, but we also take measures to help people not fall into a victim mentality and/or take steps to reduce harm. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE.