Maitri joined organizations nationwide from April 6 to April 27, 2025, to observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme of KINSHIP is a call to action to recognize that shared humanity should be at the center of supporting all survivors and victims of crime. KINSHIP is a state of being with survivors that drives vital connections to services, rights, and healing. KINSHIP is where victim advocacy begins. To observe National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, Maitri presented a virtual panel with South Asian SOAR and Peaceful Families Project on Wednesday, April 9 (11 am to 12 pm). At this panel, panelists addressed recent domestic violence homicide incidents in the South Asian communities and shared insights as well as tips to engage community members in domestic violence prevention activities. Panel: Domestic Violence Homicides in the South Asian Community April 9, 2025 Maitri Legal Advocacy Coordinator Shabana Ansari started the event by welcoming our guests. Shabana Ansari has been an advocate working for gender justice for over 2 decades. She has been part of Maitri, an organization working for immigrant survivors of domestic violence. In 2002, Shabana received the U.S. Department of Justice accreditation to represent immigrant survivors of domestic violence. Born and raised in Mumbai India, she has a B.A. in social work and another in law from Mumbai University. She has worked in the field of domestic violence since 2001 and has taken part in social justice movements working on gender equity and justice. Raising awareness of and fighting against domestic violence has always been her passion. At Maitri, she works with DV survivors on all their legal needs. Maitri’s Sr. Manager of Client Services, Jaya Suresh, welcomed our guest panelists and moderated the event. Jaya started with Maitri as a volunteer and joined the staff in 2010. She speaks fluent Tamil and Hindi. Jaya has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology & Literature and in Library & Information Science. After donning several hats as librarian, teacher, freelance writer, web designer & book indexer, her passion for women’s rights, her deep-rooted belief in social justice and gender equality were brought to her at Maitri. Jaya oversees the Client Services Programs at Maitri. Our Esteemed Panelists are: Amrita Doshi: Amrita is the co-founder and Founding Executive Director of South Asian SOAR. Like many, her entry into this work begins with survivorship. She first found this path as an intern at Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, later working across public health, healthcare technology, and community-centered design in the U.S. and India. At SOAR, Amrita has led the development of a national network of 500+ advocates, survivors, and allies and spearheaded key initiatives, including the first South Asian survivor storytelling anthology, advocacy campaigns, and original research publications. Beyond her leadership at SOAR, Amrita is a cultural organizer and artist. Dr. Denise Ziya Berte, Ph.D., has been a licensed clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and the State of Palestine for over 30 years, with a specialty in trauma, torture, oppression, war, interpersonal violence, and indigenous populations. Dr. Berte has written over 18 published professional articles, four book chapters and has presented on over 500 occasions domestically and internationally related to her topics of specialty. Dr. Berte is a forensic psychologist and has served as an expert witness in over 600 cases involving criminal, family, immigration, and human rights law. Dr. Berte has worked in the United States, West Africa, and the Middle East. Dr. Berte is currently the Executive Director of Peaceful Families Project, which is a 21-year-old national project addressing Family Based Violence in Muslim communities in the United States with international impact to eliminate violence in Muslim homes utilizing the core values and models of Islam. PFP conducts trainings, research, develops resources and curriculums, and serves as a strategic representative of Muslim voices in the US. Dr. Berte is fluent in Spanish and English and has moderate fluency in French and Arabic. Resources were shared during the Panel: Presentation of Their Light Remains: https://www.southasiansoar.org/theirlightremains2024 Presentation of In Their Names: https://www.peacefulfamilies.org/itn.html www.peacefulfamilies.org https://www.southasiansoar.org Please fill out this survey to let us know whether you found this useful: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1U49H3y0jkSpalfIXYh73jsSXNgQ34s_vszu51kfZh5Y/viewform?edit_requested=true #NationalCrimeVictimsWeek #EndDV, #homicides #DVhomicides #southasiancommunities #SouthAsianSOAR #peacefulfamiliesproject #theirlightsremains #intheirnames (fb)

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we're shining light on challenges specific to our South Asian community. In many South Asian families, mental health remains taboo, and mental health struggles are brushed aside. But real strength lies in facing the truth. It is important to identify barriers that stop us from seeking help. We must normalize that conversation around mental health, help-seeking, and create space for healing, understanding, and support. Our mental health matters. Sources: https://f.mtr.cool/obzmpvdosf #TurnAwarenessIntoAction #MentalHealthMonth #SouthAsianMentalHealth #Maitri #MaitriBayArea (fb)