♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ >> Martin: WELCOME TO "BASIC BLACK."

SOME OF YOU ARE JOINING US ON OUR BROADCAST, AND OTHERS OF YOU ARE JOINING US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

I'M PHILLIP MARTIN, SENIOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER FOR GBH CENTER FOR INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING.

CALLIE CROSSLEY HAS THE NIGHT OFF.

TONIGHT, DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE DURING COVID.

WE, LIKE YOU, ARE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC AND ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS.

WE ARE WORKING WITH LIMITED STAFF, AND OUR GUESTS ARE JOINING US REMOTELY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN, DURING HIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS, SPOKE ABOUT THE NEED TO RENEW AND PASS THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT, THE 1994 LAW THAT PROTECTS AND PROVIDES RESOURCES FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

THE PRESIDENT CHAMPIONED THE LAW WHEN HE WAS A SENATOR.

THESE FORMS OF ABUSE, ALONG WITH OTHER TYPES THAT WE WILL DISCUSS, LARGELY GO UNREPORTED.

AND WITH A DEADLY PANDEMIC IN WHICH MANY PEOPLE NEED TO STAY AT HOME, THOSE ABUSED WOMEN AND MEN OF COLOR MAY FEEL TRAPPED WITH NO PLACE TO GO OR THE ABILITY TO SEEK OUT HELP.

JOINING ME TO DISCUSS: REVEREND TRACI JACKSON ANTOINE, DIRECTOR OF THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT AT THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS; KETURA'H EDWARDS-ROBINSON, A NURSE PRACTITIONER AT THE DIMOCK CENTER IN ROXBURY-- SHE IS ALSO A SPECIALLY-TRAINED SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE EXAMINER RESPONDING TO TRAUMA EMERGENCIES AT SEVERAL HOSPITALS WITHIN THE GREATER BOSTON AREA; ZOE FLOWERS, AN ADVOCATE, ACTIVIST, AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EXPERT WITH MORE THAN 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE; AND LATEISHA ADAMS, A RETIRED BOSTON POLICE SERGEANT DETECTIVE WHO, DURING HER CAREER, WORKED IN THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, HOMICIDE, SEXUAL ASSAULT, DRUG, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING UNITS-- SHE IS ALSO A CONSULTANT WITH THE URBAN LEAGUE OF EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS ON THE TOPICS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

WELCOME TO YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Martin: LET ME START WITH YOU KETURA'H.

DURING THIS PANDEMIC, IT'S BEEN REPORTED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, MANY CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.

WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN WITH YOUR OWN EYES?

>> SO AS A NURSE PRACTITIONER AT THE DIMOCK CENTER, I'VE DEFINITELY SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER, HOW MANY MANY OF THESE ARE BLACK WOMEN, WOMEN OF COLOR, DON'T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ESCAPE THEIR CURRENT LIVING SITUATIONS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

SAME THING WITH EMERGENCY HOUSING AND EMERGENCY SHELTERS THEY ARE AT CAPACITY.

SO EVEN RESOURCES ARE LIMITED FOR PARTICULARLY THESE WOMEN.

AS A SEXUAL NURSE EXAMINER FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC THERE DEFINITELY WAS A DROP IN PERSONS WHO, PEOPLE WHO WERE PRESENTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR REPORTING ACTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

AND I THINK THAT COULD BE CONTRIBUTED TO JUST THE FEAR OF AT THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, KNOWING THAT THE HOSPITALS WERE AT CAPACITY, I THINK THAT'S WHAT KEPT A LOT OF PEOPLE AWAY.

BUT AS, YOU KNOW, REGULATIONS LAXED AND THE GOVERNMENT IS LETTING US KNOW THEY ARE RELAXING A LOT OF THE RESTRICTIONS, THE REGULATIONS HAD GONE ON TO THE SAME BEFORE THE PANDEMICS.

>> Martin: WHAT YOU'VE SEEN WITH YOUR OWN EYES, THE THRUST OF THIS PROGRAM OF COURSE IS, WE ALSO REALIZE THAT A LOT OF THESE CASES ARE GOING UNREPORTED.

ZOE, YOU HAVE SEEN MANY CASES OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS YOURSELF.

WE LOOKED AT ONE STAT OF COURSE BETWEEN 2005 AND 2010, THAT THE DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF THOSE AFFECTED BY SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE ARE WOMEN OF COLOR.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT?

AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS THE FACT THAT SO MANY OF THESE CASES ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED PUBLICLY?

THEY'RE NOT BEING TALKED ABOUT.

THEY'RE NOT BEING REPORTED FOR FEAR AND OF OTHER REASONS.

>> YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING ME, MR. MARTIN.

SO I THINK THE REASON WHY THESE CASES GO UNSUPPORTED IS, YOU KNOW, BLACK WOMEN AREN'T REALLY SUPPORTED SO OFTEN IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE NOT BELIEVED WHEN WE SPEAK UP.

SOME OF US STAY SILENT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO BE LOOKED AT AS TRAITORS TO THE RACE, SO TO SPEAK.

A LOT OF US FEEL LIKE WE ARE WANTING TO PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE USING HARM AGAINST US AND BRUTALITY, ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS BLACK WOMEN IN PARTICULAR IF WE DO FIGHT BACK SO TO SPEAK WE FACE PRISON SENTENCES, THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T BELIEVE US, SOMETIMES OUR FAMILY DOESN'T BELIEVE US SO WE DAY SILENT AND WE GET THE MESSAGE EARLY ON THAT BLACK WOMEN IDENTIFY PEOPLE LIVES DON'T MATTER AS MUCH AS OTHER FOLKS.

>> Martin: REVEREND TRACI, LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION.

ZOE JUST POINTED OUT, THIS SUPPOSITION WHICH IS ACCEPTED BY A LARGE PART OF SOCIETY WHETHER CONSCIOUSLY OR UNCONSCIOUSLY, SUBCONSCIOUSLY, THAT BLACK WOMEN' LIVES AND LATINO WOMEN'S LIVES MATTER LESS.

IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE OF WORTH AND THE ISSUE OF WHO MATTERS.

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME.

YOU KNOW, I AGREE WITH MY SISTER 100%.

THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT AT THE URBAN LEAGUE WAS FOUNDED FOR THAT VERY REASON.

I WAS DOING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT WORK FOR A SMALL NATIONAL ORGANIZATION BUT WHAT WE WERE FINDING OVER TIME WAS THAT THERE WAS A HUGE GAP IN SERVICES FOR WOMEN OF COLOR.

THEY WERE THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF REPORTING TO THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT BUT YET WHEN WE CHECKED THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF OTHER MAINSTREAM ORGANIZATIONS WE REALIZED THAT THOSE WOMEN WERE NEVER BEING SERVED.

THEY WERE REPORTING, THERE WAS AN INITIAL REPORT THAT TOOK PLACE BUT THEN THERE WERE NO FOLLOW-UP SERVICES.

WHAT MATTERS MOST I THINK IS THAT WE FIND SERVICES THAT WORK FOR WOMEN OF COLOR.

SO THE PROJECT AT THE URBAN LEAGUE, THE DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE PROJECT IS A CULTURALLY SPECIFIC PROJECT, FUNDED UNDER THEIR CULTURALLY SPECIFIC GRANTS.

AND SO WHAT WE ENDEAVORED TO DO WAS TO CREATE A PROGRAM THAT WOULD IMPROVE CAN PROGRAMS, AND IN DOING SO WE CREATED PROGRAMMING THAT LOOKS LIKE SERVICES WE NEED.

SO WE BROUGHT AFRICAN AMERICAN MEN AND WOMEN TOGETHER.

WE HAD LEARNING COMMUNITIES AND WE SAID, IF YOU ACCESSED SERVICES WHAT WOULD THOSE SERVICES LOOK LIKE?

PROVIDED BY US, WE UNDERSTAND THE CULTURAL NORMS AND ALL THE NUANCES OF ALL OUR PEOPLE.

THAT IS WHY THE PROJECT WAS CREATING AND WHY WE HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK WE HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

>> SOME OF THESE CASES INVOLVE POLICE RESPONSES, SOME OF THEM AS WE'VE TALKED ABOUT ARE PEOPLE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW ABOUT.

LATEISHA, LET ME ASK YOU, HOW SHOULD PEOPLE DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE OF DOMESTIC VOYAGES?

THE REASON I ASK THAT QUESTION IS OBVIOUSLY OVER THE YEARS WE'VE SEEN A POLICE RESPONSE THAT HAS RESULTED IN ACTUALLY PERSECUTING THOSE THAT HAVE BEEN ABUSED.

WE'VE SEEN A POLICE RESPONSE WHERE INDIVIDUALS, WHERE YOU HAVE RATHER THAN DEESCALATING A SITUATION HAVE ESCALATED A SITUATION.

AND THAT OF COURSE HAS BEEN THE CENTER OF MUCH OF THE CONCERN AROUND THE COUNTRY.

IN TERMS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN POLICE AND COMMUNITIES.

HOW SHOULD POLICE DEAL WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ARE THEY PROPERLY TRAINED TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY WITHIN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR?

>> WELL, IT IS THE POLICY OF MOST POLICE DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY THAT INCIDENTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WILL BE RECOGNIZED AND RESPONDED TO AS CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

AND CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW, THE ARREST OF A SUSPECT IS PRESUMED TO BE THE PREFERRED RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS.

OF COURSE IN THE INSTITUTION OF THIS PROCEDURE IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WILL NOT COVER EVERY CONCEIVABLE SITUATION THAT MAY ARISE AND MAY COVER A PARTICULAR SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE ARREST MAY NOT BE THE APPROPRIATE RESPONSE.

BUT WHENEVER-- WHEN OFFICERS RESPOND TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS, THEY TAKE WHATEVER STEPS ARE NECESSARY TO OR THEY SHOULD TAKE WHATEVER STEPS ARE POLICE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE ON SCENE INCLUDING THEMSELVES.

OBVIOUSLY THESE ARE VERY DANGEROUS CALLS FOR OFFICERS AS WELL AS THE VICTIMS BECAUSE THEIR CHARACTERIZED BY A LOT OF ANGER AND FRUSTRATION AND VERY INTENSE EMOTIONS.

AND AS FAR AS THE-- I'M SORRY, THE VICTIMS, IN A DUAL ARREST, AND I THINK THAT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT, DUAL ARRESTS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED WHEN IT COMES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IT INCREASES THE DANGER TO VICTIMS AND IT TRIVIALIZES THE SERIOUSNESS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE.

>> Martin: IS THAT TRUE IN GENERAL OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT BOSTON AND OTHER POLICE DEPARTMENTS?

ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A GENERAL POLICY?

>> I'M TALKING ABOUT A GENERAL POLICY, YES.

WHERE DUAL ARRESTS ARE STRONGLY DISCOURAGED.

IT DOESN'T-- WE DON'T WANT TO REVICTIMIZE THE VICTIM.

SO WE DO OUR BEST TO IDENTIFY WHO THE DOMINANT AGGRESSOR IS IN RESPONSE TO CALLS.

AND THAT'S NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, BUT IN MOST CASES, IT IS.

THERE ARE STEPS THAT ARE FOLLOWED TO DETERMINE THE DOMINANT AGGRESSOR.

BUT IF IT'S NOT POSSIBLE THEN DUAL ARRESTS IN SOME CASES WILL BE MADE.

>> Martin: NOW, PANELISTS LET ME ASK YOU THIS QUESTION.

IT'S BEEN SAID THAT, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE SHOW OF COURSE, SOME VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC SEXUAL ABUSE ARE MEN.

WE'RE WORKING HERE AT GBH ON A SERIES DEALING WITH THAT VERY ISSUE.

BUT THE VAST MAJORITY OF COURSE ARE WOMEN.

WHAT ONUS NOW PUT ON MEN?

WHAT DO YOU BASICALLY TRY TO INCULCATE, BASICALLY TRY TO TEACH MEN IN TERMS OF THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH WOMEN TO PREVENT SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE IN THE FIRST PLACE?

ALL OF YOU ARE EXPERTS SO PLEASE, LET'S, WHOEVER WOULD LIKE TO OPINE PLEASE.

LET'S START WITH YOU REVEREND TRACI.

GO AHEAD, KETURA'H.

>> IN THE SAME PROGRAM WE RECOGNIZE THAT SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE, THEY ARE THE GENDER, THE SPECTRUM OF GENDERS.

SO OUR ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO JUST PROVIDE TRAUMA-INFORMED CARE, REGARDLESS OF HOW THE SURVIVOR IDENTIFIES, AND WE SUPPORT THAT THAT MISSION BY HAVING CONTINUING EDUCATION, YEARLY >> REVEREND TRACI.

>> WE RECOGNIZE THAT ANYONE CAN BE A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE RIGHT?

REGARDLESS OF GENDER, RACE, CLASS.

WE ARE ENDEAVORING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR WHOEVER NEEDS IT.

AND SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO TEACH AROUND THE EDUCATION OF MEN.

YOU KNOW, WE ARE REALLY TRYING HARD TO INFORM MEN ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING ALLIES, RIGHT?

ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS.

YOU KNOW MOST MEN CAN IDENTIFY WITH A MOTHER OR SISTER OR NIECE, GIRLFRIEND, SOMEBODY THAT MATTERS TO THEM.

SO WHEN YOU KNOW THEY'RE THINKING ABOUT THE SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING KIND OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE HOPE PEOPLE WILL DO, I THINK IT JUST MAKES SENSE THAT WE INCLUDE MEN IN THIS WORK.

AND THE WAY IN WHICH WE ENGAGE THEM HOWEVER IS IMPORTANT.

NOBODY IS GOING TO SHOW UP AT THE TABLE IF THEY THINK THEY'RE ON THE MENU.

WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE NAVIGATE THAT.

WHAT WE DO IS WORK WITH FAITH COMMUNITIES.

86% OF AMERICANS IDENTIFY AS PEOPLE OF FAITH TO SOME CAPACITY AND THAT CAN BE A VERY BROAD SPECTRUM FROM I GO TO CHURCH EVERY WEEK TO I GO TO THE MOSQUE ONCE A YEAR, WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE.

WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT OPPORTUNITY THERE TO ENGAGE MEN AND IF WE CAN ENGAGE FAITH LEADERS WHO ARE SO TREMENDOUSLY INFLUENTIAL IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WE CAN BRING MEN TOGETHER, TO SURVIVE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.

>> Martin: WHAT'S BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE, CREATING A MODEL FOR MEN, ALBEIT MEN CAN BE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND ARE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PARTICULAR SET OF EXPERIENCES DEALING WITH MALES AS PERPETRATORS, AND EDUCATING THEM, SUBSEQUENT?

>> YEAH, THAT'S SUCH A GREAT QUESTION.

SO FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS OR SO I'VE BEEN WORKING WITH AN ORGANIZATION CALLED A CALL TO MEN.

AND THEY DO WORK SPECIFICALLY ON GENDER SOCIALIZATION.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT TONY AND TED, TED BURCH AND TONY PORTER, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY SAY IN THEIR CONVERSATIONS IS, IF YOU ONLY HAVE THIS AMOUNT OF MEN THAT ARE CREATING THE VIOLENCE RIGHT?

HOW SIT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SO MUCH HARM WITH ALL OF THESE OTHER MEN THAT ARE NOT VIOLENT?

AND SO THEIR WORK IS REALLY, WITH A LARGER GROUP OF MEN WHICH PEOPLE USED TO CALL BYSTANDERS, PEOPLE NOW CALL UPSTANDERS, SO THEIR WORK IS ON GENDER SOCIALIZATION, MALE GENDER SOCIALIZATION.

I THINK IT'S GREAT THE WAY SOCIALIZATION WORKS, THE SAME WAY OPPRESSION WORKS, SEXISM, ET CETERA, MEN MOSTLY LISTEN TO MEN.

AND SO WE COULD SEE IT IN THE CONFERENCES THAT WE'VE DONE WITH THEM, WHERE I MIGHT GET UP AND I MIGHT BE SAYING SOMETHING, EVEN WOMEN AS WELL, WOMEN LISTEN TO MEN AND MEN LISTEN TO MEN, THAT'S THE WAY SOCIALIZATION WORKS.

WE CALL IT DELIGHTED ATTENTION, EVERYBODY STANDS UP, EVERYBODY LISTENS RIGHT?

AND SO THEY DO A LOT OF TALK ABOUT HOW WE ARE SOCIALIZED, MEN DON'T JUST TRANSMIT CULTURE, WOMEN TRANSMIT CULTURE TOO.

AND SO MUCH OF THIS IS HOW PEOPLE ARE RAISED.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT ABUSE IS PASSED THROUGH RIGID GENDER ROLES AND RIGID GENDER STEREOTYPE.

AND SO THE THINKING ABOUT HOW WE ARE SOCIALIZED SO WE CAN THINK DIFFERENTLY.

>> IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS HYPER-MACHISMO, SADLY, EXPRESSED IN MUSIC AND IN OTHER WAYS PEOPLE ARE INCULCATED.

LATEISHA I REALIZE THAT YOU ARE NOW RETIRED BUT HOW BASICALLY DO YOU BELIEVE POLICE DEPARTMENTS COULD USE MORE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS ISSUES OF SEXUAL ABUSE?

I ASKED THIS QUESTION OF COURSE IN THE CONTEXT OF BIDEN, PRESIDENT BIDEN NOW ASKING FOR EXPANDED FUNDING FOR-- TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL ABUSE OF VIOLENCE, PROTECTION OF WOMEN.

SOME OF THAT WHICH WOULD GO TO PROGRAMS RUN BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

HOW WOULD THAT MONEY BE USED OR SHOULD BE USED EFFECTIVELY IN YOUR VIEW?

>> WELL, I BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION ABOUT AN AWARENESS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS CRITICAL.

I KNOW THE BOSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS, APPARENTLY HAS TRAINING WHERE OFFICERS ARE TAUGHT TO UNDERSTAND OR-- TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.

BUT I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE-- AND THEY DO HAVE SOME BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE INCLUSION ON SAME-SEX VIOLENCE.

>> Martin: THE MONEY CAN BE USED TO CREATE MORE EFFECTIVE PROGRAMMING.

>> YES.

>> AND WHAT'S LACKING NOW?

AND I CAN ASK OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR PANEL, TOO.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS LACKING AT THE MOMENT IN TERMS OF OFFICIAL RESPONSES?

WE HAVE RESPONSES FROM THE URBAN LEAGUE FOR EXAMPLE.

WE HAVE VARIOUS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS ADDRESSING THIS.

THERE SEEMS TO BE A DISCONNECT HOWEVER WHEN YOU HAVE POLICE DEPARTMENTS DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

I DON'T THINK THAT'S JUST A PRESUMPTION ON MY PART.

I THINK WE'VE SEEN THAT STATISTICALLY THAT THERE'S BEEN AN UNEVEN SORT OF RESPONSE TO SEXUAL ABUSE AND VIOLENCE.

KETURA'H WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THE BELIEF IS THAT IF THEY GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM TO REQUEST OUR SERVICES, THAT THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC LINK TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE SHOW TODAY.

AS SORT OF A PSA THAT YOU CAN COME, YOU CAN GO INTO THE EMERGENCY-- YOU CAN GO INTO YOUR LOCAL EMERGENCY ROOM REQUESTING A SEXUAL ASSAULT KIT AND EXAMINATION BY THE SAME NURSE AND IT IS NOT LINKED TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IF YOU DO NOT WANT IT TO AND ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS ON YOUR EVIDENCE THAT IS COLLECTED, IS 15 YEARS, YOU HAVE TIME TO YOU KNOW GO THROUGH THAT JOURNEY AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORT SO THAT YOU CAN MAKE THAT DECISION IF YOU EVEN WANT TO SEEK CRIMINAL ACTION OR LEGAL ACTION, AND JUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE SOONER THAT YOU PRESENT TO HAVE THAT EVIDENCE COLLECTED, THE MORE LIKELY THAT WE WOULD-- WILL FIND EVIDENCE THAT CAN SUPPORT YOUR CASE, IF YOU CHOOSE TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION IN THE FUTURE-- CHOOSE TO PURSUE LEGAL ACTION IN THE FUTURE.

WITH THE CAVEAT HOWEVER THAT IF YOU ARE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE WE ARE A MANDATED REPORTER AND WE'LL HAVE TO FILE A 51A THAT WILL GO DIRECTLY TO THE D.A., OTHER VULNERABLE GROUPS INCLUDE THE ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> Martin: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

REVEREND TRACI, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS NOW CONSIDERING-- IS PUSHING LEGISLATION HOPING TO SUPPLEMENT EXISTING LAW THAT PROTECT WOMEN.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE OR SHOULD BE DONE?

WHAT SHOULD THEY BE BASICALLY FOCUSED ON IN TERMS OF RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT, THE ADMINISTRATION?

AND WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR THAT THE ADMINISTRATION MIGHT PROVIDE THAT WILL SEEP DOWN INTO LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT WOMEN AND MEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC ABUSE?

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS HONESTLY MR. MARTIN I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOT MORE OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE POURED INTO OUR COMMUNITY, SUPPORT CULTURALLY SPECIFIC WORK.

BECAUSE THE ONE THING THAT WE KNOW IS THAT MAINSTREAM SERVICE PROVIDERS, SO WELL INTENDED, OFTENTIMES DON'T MEET THE NEEDS OF SPECIFIC CULTURES, RIGHT?

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LOT OF THAT MONEY POURED INTO TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

BUT I ALSO THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THERE ARE CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT ARE OFFERED TO FIRST RESPONDERS.

BECAUSE IT IS ONE THING TO BE A FIRST RESPONDER AND A WHOLE OTHER THING TO COME WITH A COOKIE CUTTER APPROACH THAT MAY NOT SERVE THE NEEDS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN COLLEAGUES.

WHEN THE OFFICERS ARRIVE ON THE SCENE WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING AT FROM A WOMAN OF COLOR AND ASSUMING SHE'S THE VICTIM SHE MAY NOT PRESENT WAY YOU THINK SHE OUGHT TO.

SHE PLAY NOT BE IN THE CORNER COWERING.

IT DOESN'T MEAN SHE'S ANY LESS IN IMMINENT FEAR OF HER LIFE.

WHAT SHE'S IN IS SURVIVAL MODE, RIGHT, THAT'S HOW WE ARE TAUGHT.

AS WOMEN OF COLOR THAT IS HOW WE ARE STEREOTYPED, AS ANGRY BLACK WOMEN.

I'VE BEEN IN MANY COURTS ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH, BY VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LOOKS AT THE PERPETRATOR AND SAYS, I'M NOT AFRAID BUT THERE IS A KNIFE UNDER MY PILLOW.

I'M SITTING WITH MY STUDENT ATTORNEYS FROM ARE NORTHEASTERN TRYING SO HARD TO INTERVENE, SAYING, THAT IS IMMINENT FEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE CALIFORNIA JUDICIAL COUNCIL, 350 JUDGES TO TALK ABOUT CULTURAL RELATIVENESS AND CULTURAL SENSITIVITY.

I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO PRESENT TO THE WHITE HOUSE.

I'VE BEEN IN FACES AND PLACES BUT THERE IS SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE.

I'D LIKE RESOURCES PULLED INTO CULTURAL TRAINING AND SENSITIVITY.

SO WHEN WOMEN ARE COLOR AND MEN OF COLOR SHOW UP THOSE OF FIRST RESPONDERS UNDERSTAND AND RESPOND.

THAT'S FINE.

>> Martin: THAT'S QUITE A LIST AND ZOE I ASSUME YOU SHARE SOME OF-- WOULD YOU SHARE SOME OF THAT WISH LIST IF YOU WILL.

>> WHY, I WAS ON MUTE OR YOU WOULD HAVE HEARD ME REVEREND TRACY COSIGNING WITH YOU.

>> AMEN!

>> YOU COVERED ALL THAT, RIGHT?

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE GOING TOWARDS THE ARTS, RIGHT?

I MEAN I'VE DONE ALL THE TRAINING, I DO ALL THOSE THINGS BUT I'M ALSO AN ARTIST.

WHAT I'VE FOUND IS INFLUENCE MY ARTS IT TOUCHES PEOPLE IN NONCONFRONTATIONAL WAYS AND IT INVITES PEOPLE TO BE TABLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SAY AS A STORY TELLER IS WE NEED MORE RESOURCES GOING TO THE ARTS.

BECAUSE THE ARTS IS CRITICAL.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THAT MOST OF THE THINGS WE KNOW, HOW TO MOVE THROUGH THE WORLD, HOW TO RESPOND TO PEOPLE, HOW PEOPLE PRESENT, WE GOT THROUGH HOLLYWOOD.

WE GOT THROUGH PEOPLE WHO DID NOT LIVE LIKE US, A LOT OF TIMES DO NOT LIKE US, DO NOT UNDERSTAND US.

SO A LOT OF THE IMAGES AND THE WAYS THAT WE ARE HAVE BEEN PRESENTED TO THE WORLD HAVE BEEN HOLLYWOOD, DURING ENSLAVEMENT DURING JIM CROW BUT THAT WAS MEDIA.

THE WAYS WE ARE PORTRAYED ARE DEEPLY ENGRAINED.

THE STORIES THAT PEOPLE HEAR ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE, LATINX FOLKS A LOT OF TIMES THEY HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THE MEDIA.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT SO WE CAN SEE OURSELVES DIFFERENTLY, REIMAGINE OURSELVES.

AND PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT HIP HOP AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS BUT WE KNOW BILLIE HOLIDAY, ALL THESE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT MY MAN BEATS ME, I LOVE HIM TOO.

>> Martin: YOU'RE RIGHT, THAT'S A FOCUS A FOCUS ON HIP HOP BUT OF COURSE THIS SPREADS ACROSS ALL MUSICAL FORMS WHERE YOU SEE MISOGYNY LIKE FRONTS AND CENTER QUITE OFTEN IT SELLS.

I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND I'M WONDERING IF WITHIN THE NEXT MINUTE THAT'S ALL WE HAVE IF YOU WOULD SUM UP IN A SENTENCE, WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE FORM OF SEXUAL AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

REVEREND TRACI, PLEASE.

>> MR. MARTIN, LET'S PUT THE RESOURCES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.

I COSIGN MY SISTER'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE ARTS AND HOW IMPORTANT THEY ARE TO US AND FOR US.

I WOULD ALSO SAY THE EDUCATION OF THE FAITH COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THE FAITH COMMUNITY IS REALLY LARGE IN AFRICAN AMERICAN AND LATINX COMMUNITIES.

SO THEY TOO CAN BECOME FIRST RESPONDERS AND PART OF THE LARGE COMMUNITIES RESPONSE AND THAT WAY THAT VICTIM IS GETTING WRAP AROUND SERVICES AND EVERYBODY THEY ENCOUNTER IS SAYING THE SAME THING TO THEM ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR SAFETY ABOVE ALL ELSE.

>> Martin: THANK YOU REVEREND, I APPRECIATE IT.

THIS HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT TOPIC.

BUT THIS IS THE END OF OUR BROADCAST AND THE END OF OUR SHOW.

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GUESTS AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

STAY WITH US AS WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.

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