A well-designed project ends with success and contributes to a better world. That is what occurred with the successful implementation of Preventing and Confronting Domestic Abuse and Violence, an International Visitor Leadership Program. This Department of State project focused on a variety of subtopics including best practices for preventing gender-based violence, how to prosecute abusers, and how to provide assistance to victims. The Mississippi Consortium for International Development in Washington, D.C., arranged the group’s national project and Gulf Coast Diplomacy arranged its local one.
The visitors hailed from Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia and commenced their exploration in Northwest Florida at the First Judicial Circuit Court with a briefing and observation of the Honorable County Court Judge Amy Brodersen presiding over the Domestic Violence Court. Afterwards, they engaged in a discussion with local professionals and experts including Circuit Court Judges Linda Nobles and Thomas Dannheisser of the Family Law Division, Assistant State Attorney Nichole Longeran, and Baline Lukkar, a victim’s advocate.
After lunch, they explored downtown Pensacola’s culture before heading to the PACE Center for Girls for a classroom observation. Development Manager Meghan Bolyard highlighted how the school’s educational efforts aid at-risk youth and how the local community supports its work. The conversation and exploration continued with Dr. Kimberly Kasper, Lead Trainer for the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, who addressed the greatest challenges to evidence collection and explored the role of society with respect to sexual violence in a meeting focused on forensic examination and evidence.
At a workshop at the University of West Florida (UWF), the group engaged with Vice Provost Dr. Kimberly McCorkle who is an instructor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The interactive workshop included case studies, mock project development, and examining media campaign approaches and issue dynamics.
After exploring the beautiful UWF campus, the visitors accepted an invitation from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department where they learned how the department handles domestic abuse through a conversation with Victim Advocate Sargent Brian Shorette. Pensacola City Council Member Sherri Meyers next met the group to give an official welcome to the area before they took a shelter site visit at FAVORHouse of Northwest Florida with Marsha Travis. Travis also discussed regional domestic violence and the partnerships, programs, and vital services of the organization.
Due to inclement weather, a planned volunteer experience with discussion at Manna Food Pantry, time with the Youth Diplomats, and dinner in several local homes could not take place over the weekend. Many thanks go to Salma Ashmawi, Terry & Jim Crowe, Jean Norman, Jeremy Ochoa, Faye & Robert Robinson, John Toole, and Liz & Basil Yelverton for their planning, understanding, and flexibility. Gulf Coast Diplomacy also extends special gratitude to volunteer facilitator Norma Fields for the hospitality she extended to this group while they were in town.
