Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
Nov. 07, 2005                                                                              www.caepv.org

I believe Susan's presentation about her personal experience with domestic violence, and her willingness to share the personal face of surviving and thriving makes a real difference for those trying to understand "why do people stay?" "how do people get in that situation" and "is there any hope for them after the abuse?"

I especially love how Susan tells the participants that she will answer any question that they would like to ask, and that no question is too personal. I think that openness really sets the stage for participants being comfortable in asking the things that they really want to know and understand -- for themselves, or for those they care about.

Specific to the workplace, because Susan is an amazing professional herself with degrees in engineering, and because she is in management, she is "one of us" when she talks to professional people. That means domestic violence no longer becomes something that happens to "them" but something that happens to "us" -- which is, indeed, the case.

For me, presenting to managers regarding how to respond appropriately within the context of the workplace and having Susan present her story as a survivor and amazing person made all the difference for the managers who came to those presentations. It brought the issue to life in a way that no statistic, no quote, and no anecdote ever could. It was an honor and a privilege to present with Susan Brauer.

Kim Wells
Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence
www.caepv.org
 

 --- Return ---