ADVOCACY AT EVENTS AND CONFERENCES
Melissa provides advocacy services at events and conferences and consults on setting up support spaces.
The role of an Advocate is to listen, provide support, resources, information, safety planning and more to individuals who have been impacted by sexual harassment, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking and more. An advocate can be a starting point or a stop along someone's healing journey when they are seeking support and options. Advocacy uplifts a survivor's social and emotional well-being through trauma-informed practices such as empowerment, choice, transparency, confidentiality and celebrating culture and identity.
There is a growing trend of offering advocacy services and support spaces at events, conferences, and virtual meetings so attendees have a place where they can receive support and resources.
Safe Space Sign at the American Academy for the Advancement of Science Annual Conference
The Support Space at the National Academy of the Sciences, Engineering and Medicine 2019 Public Summit