Culturally Responsive Resources

Culture plays a role not only in communicating and receiving information, but also in shaping the thinking process of groups and individuals. It is critical that advocacy efforts acknowledge, respond to, celebrate, and honor the cultures, experiences, and perspectives of individuals and families, not only to support them more effectively, but to support equitable access to victim services as well. The following documents, podcasts, toolkits, and webinars were selected because of their potential to help further understanding of the diverse populations across Michigan advocates encounter and endeavor to support every day.

Registered with MiVAN? Check out our online training series on serving marginalized and historically underserved populations, Breaking Barriers.

Building Understanding of the Communities We Serve

It is commonly understood that one form of oppression cannot be dismantled without working to end all forms of oppression; they are systemically and personally intertwined.

Michigan crime victims are as diverse as our state’s population and many experience oppression as part of their daily lives.  It is essential that crime victim advocates actively engage in efforts to educate themselves about other cultures and communities; evaluate, reflect on, and deliberately address their own biases, prejudices, and stereotypes; and continue on their journey in becoming anti-oppressionists in their work with individuals and systems.

The following resources are not related to providing services to crime victims.  They are a sampling of opportunities to learn more about communities, cultures, and history with which many might not be familiar. Knowing more can help advocates be the best they can be for those needing or desiring support during perhaps, some of the hardest days of their lives.

Related resources and trainings

Podcast: The Lived Perspectives of Latina Survivors
Innovative housing solutions of Latin@ survivors of domestic violence and successful practices of culturally specific community-based organizations
January 2018
Esperanza United
Latinas and Intimate Partner Violence Evidence-Based Facts
November 2021
Esperanza United
Gay Latino Sexual Assault Survivors : Best Practices To Supporting Nuestros Hermanos
July 2020
Esperanza United
Podcast: Bridgerton: A SAAM Special
Esperanza United
Reaching Latino Male Survivors of Sexual Violence
August 2018
Esperanza United
Preventing sexual violence in Latin@ communities
National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
Sexual Violence Resistance in Rural Communities
March 2021
Ending Violence Against Women International (EVAWI)
Combatting Hate Crimes Toolkit
Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum