22 Apr 2021 Visionary Voice Awards Recognizes Leaders in Sexual Violence Prevention

Each April, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center offers the Visionary Voice Awards, in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to recognize the creativity and hard work of individuals around the country who have demonstrated outstanding work to end sexual violence. State, territory, and tribal coalitions select an outstanding individual or organization to nominate for the awards.

The New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault is pleased to honor our friends at the Visioning B.E.A.R. Circle Intertribal Coalition (VBCIC), a survivor-led organization that provides prevention education, training, and technical assistance to Indigenous and multicultural communities who wish to eliminate interpersonal violence in their communities.

The acronym B.E.A.R. stands for “balance, equality, and respect.” VBCIC works to make child sexual abuse and all forms of violence unthinkable through a cultural shift that incorporates Indigenous traditions and values that have existed before, despite, and in spite of colonization. VBCIC leverages an understanding of historical trauma and systemic oppression to develop intervention, healing, and prevention strategies.

Building on years of successful violence prevention work, VBCIC created a child sexual abuse prevention curriculum titled, “Walking in Balance with All Our Relations.” Featuring thirteen modules based on Indigenous values and traditions, the curriculum provides historical perspective; promotes fundamental structural change; and includes the healing and treatment of those who have done harm as a key piece of primary prevention.

Learn more about VBCIC at visioningbear.org.