The past year has marked a significant turn in my life, and my personal association with violence against women (VAW).
One of the key highlights of the year has been my internship at PCAWA that began in July of 2014. This experience at PCAWA has been one of the most rewarding work experiences, and one of the few places where the staff and space are safe and welcoming. Starting at PCAWA, I thought I knew what I was doing, but I really had no idea whatsoever. The amount of acronyms I heard within a 5 minute conversation left me lost in translation, and the amount of times I said yes to things I had no idea how to do, were endless. But it was through this confusion and desperation to learn that I was able to teach myself and learn from those around me. I was able to acquire so many new skills that retail, work or school were unable to provide, and grasped new levels of knowledge about VAW services that I didn’t know before.
The community outreach has been one of my favourite aspects of this position because I get to meet survivors who I can learn from, listen to and share with. One the proudest moments for me was the PCAWA December 6th Commemorative Vigil and Shoe Memorial which marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The event was held at the Living Arts Centre and engaged over 100 participants, and provided a memorable event full of tears, smiles, and good food. One of the guest speakers said something that day that stuck with me. She said in a world where women are subject to so much violence, let us women remember to be kind to each other and make it easier for one another.
This particular advice startled me. It also gave me the courage to reach out to those in my own life who had opened up to me about violence they had experienced. I learnt to be more compassionate with the women in my family who I didn’t always see eye to eye with about women’s issues. Soon I would learn several women in my family were survivors.
If I have learnt one thing this year, it has been compassion. 2014 marked a year where sexual violence was reported almost as frequently as your local weather; the coverage most times sensationalized and insensitive. The effects it had on myself and those around me led me to place greater value on self-care, and compassion for those around me.
Overall, I am excited to continue working at PCAWA in the New Year, where I am able to constantly grow and learn from new experiences.
Rhona Rahmani
PCAWA Communications and Research Intern
One of the key highlights of the year has been my internship at PCAWA that began in July of 2014. This experience at PCAWA has been one of the most rewarding work experiences, and one of the few places where the staff and space are safe and welcoming. Starting at PCAWA, I thought I knew what I was doing, but I really had no idea whatsoever. The amount of acronyms I heard within a 5 minute conversation left me lost in translation, and the amount of times I said yes to things I had no idea how to do, were endless. But it was through this confusion and desperation to learn that I was able to teach myself and learn from those around me. I was able to acquire so many new skills that retail, work or school were unable to provide, and grasped new levels of knowledge about VAW services that I didn’t know before.
The community outreach has been one of my favourite aspects of this position because I get to meet survivors who I can learn from, listen to and share with. One the proudest moments for me was the PCAWA December 6th Commemorative Vigil and Shoe Memorial which marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The event was held at the Living Arts Centre and engaged over 100 participants, and provided a memorable event full of tears, smiles, and good food. One of the guest speakers said something that day that stuck with me. She said in a world where women are subject to so much violence, let us women remember to be kind to each other and make it easier for one another.
This particular advice startled me. It also gave me the courage to reach out to those in my own life who had opened up to me about violence they had experienced. I learnt to be more compassionate with the women in my family who I didn’t always see eye to eye with about women’s issues. Soon I would learn several women in my family were survivors.
If I have learnt one thing this year, it has been compassion. 2014 marked a year where sexual violence was reported almost as frequently as your local weather; the coverage most times sensationalized and insensitive. The effects it had on myself and those around me led me to place greater value on self-care, and compassion for those around me.
Overall, I am excited to continue working at PCAWA in the New Year, where I am able to constantly grow and learn from new experiences.
Rhona Rahmani
PCAWA Communications and Research Intern
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