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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · 4d

Talk It Out Together is back on Tuesday, October 21 ✨ This month we’ll discuss harm reduction for advocates in the anti-violence field.

TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. 🔗 Register now at the link in our bio. #advocates #antiviolence

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · 12d

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · 12d

Episode 3 is here! Steph and Jess H, a former anti-violence worker and current mental health therapist, examine how “self-care” rhetoric can mask systemic harm and exploit workers. Listen on Substack (link in bio) or your fave podcast app! #WeDeserveBetter

New Episode of the RE:Imagining Anti-Violence Podcast, brought to you by the We Deserve Better Project; Episode 3: Self-Care or Staff Exploitation? Audio clip starting at 37:33

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · 23d

Advocates deserve better. Survivors deserve better. Our movement deserves better.

Slide 5: Where is the accountability? 60% of advocates tried to hold leadership accountable by using the following strategies: Open communication & feedback; Asking for help from supervisor, HR representative or Board of Directors; Collective group efforts, including writing anonymous letters to leadership & engaging in unionizing efforts. “We are taught to advocate for our clients but when it comes to us… the rules seem to become unclear regarding how to stay safe while doing our jobs.” - Advocate from Kentucky

Slide 6: Retaliation is a Serious Fear: The top two reasons anti-violence workers chose not to share concerns with leadership: Fear of retaliation; Thought it would be unproductive or ignored. "[We have talked] with our executive director about the lack of leadership from management. However, it seems that this leader finds out about what is said and there is retaliation." - Advocate from Wisconsin. Nearly half (48%) of all discrimination claims filed with the EEOC included an accusation of retaliation. In 2024, charges alleging retaliation were the most prevalent filings for the seventeenth consecutive year.

Slide 7: Why Are Advocates Leaving? Nearly half of advocates reported the following challenges or reasons they left their jobs: 49% cited “resistance to addressing internal conflict”; 48% cited “ineffective management”’ 47% cited “lack of transparency from organizational leadership and boards of directors”. "They are creating harm and victimizing their own employees in the name of helping victims. They're creating more harm in employees' lives while trying to uphold their mission. They refuse to create internal change in a field that is all about culture change. They hire excited change makers who are given a false perspective of the job, and are then let down and blindsided." - Advocate from Pennsylvania

Slide 8: We Deserve Better: “So long as our movement engages in needless power games and toxic management practices, we will be as traumatizing to one another as abusers are to their victims. We must make a collective sea-change effort to no longer tolerate this as a culture.” - Advocate from Ohio; “The movement would be transformed when leadership…begins to treat those served with respect; when leadership is mandated to invest in staff and leadership training; and when microaggressions are no longer tolerated.” - Advocate from Pennsylvania

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · 23d

Our 2023 Assessment shows that leadership at anti-violence orgs often replicate the same toxic power dynamics this movement is meant to end. Advocates deserve better—and so do survivors. 📊Learn more about our assessment & key findings at the link in our bio. #WeDeserveBetterProject

Slide 1: We Deserve Better Project 2023 Assessment; Key Finding #5: Leadership at anti-violence organizations often replicate the same toxic, abusive, and violent environments and power dynamics that this movement aims to prevent. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/key-findings

Slide 2: Replicating Patterns of Abuse: "There seems to be a particular dynamic in the anti-violence field where the workplaces themselves harm workers in ways that resemble the abuses and harms we respond to in our communities." - Advocate from Ohio; Graphic of Workplace Power & Control Wheel

Slide 3: Advocates Experience Racism: 30% of advocates who completed our survey experienced white supremacy culture or racism at their current or former agency. "The practice of hiring activists, especially from marginalized backgrounds, with no plan for how to support them during periods of crisis, trauma triggers, burnout, and moral injury makes it impossible for us to effectively support survivors." - Advocate from New York

Slide 4: Oppression & Microaggressions: "[There is] an abundance of racism, ableism, transphobia, homophobia, and overall institutional oppression. In my experience, truly dedicated and passionate advocates were turned empty by the time they had a chance to flee the toxic workplace. Nearly every advocate that left had been victimized by leadership in one way or another." - Advocate from Pennsylvania

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Sep 17

Turnover is high in the #AntiViolence field, but we can reduce this by making sure workers, many of them survivors themselves, have healthy, supportive workplaces to continue doing the work they love. #WorkerPowerWednesday

To join us, reach out at [email protected]!

#Unionizing

Why Unionizing? Unionizing is not workers “being difficult” or choosing their wellbeing over survivor safety. Unionizing is an act of love, a sign of commitment to this work. Anti-violence workers, many survivors themselves, deserve to have their needs met to continue supporting survivors. You cannot pour from an empty cup.
#WorkerPowerWednesday; We Deserve Better Project

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Reposted by We Deserve Better Project

The SOAR Collective @thesoarcollective.bsky.social · Sep 16

Being a leader isn’t always easy—and an important skill to have is knowing when to ask for help. The next time you find yourself unsure what to do—remember: you don’t need to have all the answers. Invite your team to be part of the problem-solving process and figure out the solution together.

A reminder for leaders–you don’t have to figure it out on your own. No one expects you to have all the answers–but your team can’t help if they don’t know what’s happening. Be transparent: share what you can, clarify what’s confidential, and invite your team to be part of the problem-solving process.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Sep 9

Talk It Out Together is back next week on Tuesday, August 19! ✨ This month we’ll discuss honoring our labor & workers’ rights in the anti-violence field.

TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. 🔗 Register now at the link in our bio.

Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project
Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET / 3:30 - 5 pm CT / 2:30 - 4 pm MT / 1:30 - 3 pm PT. Talk It Out Together. This month we’ll discuss honoring our labor: workers’ rights in the anti-violence field.TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. Register at the link in our bio

Join us on September 16 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET. Talk It Out Together: This month we’ll discuss honoring our labor: workers’ rights in the anti-violence field. What does “safety at work” mean for anti-violence workers specifically? What labor protections or benefits feel most essential to sustaining us in anti-violence work? When have you felt the most (or least) respected and valued as a worker in this field? What’s one change—big or small—you’d love to see in how our workplaces honor & support staff? What collective actions could strengthen the rights and wellbeing of anti-violence workers?

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Sep 8

Episode 2 is here! Steph & Hoiyan—survivor, former advocate, & social work grad student—dig into burnout, toxic nonprofit culture, and bold visions for reimagining the anti-violence field. Listen on Substack (link in bio) or your fave podcast app! #WeDeserveBetter

New Episode of the RE:Imagining Anti-Violence Podcast, brought to you by the We Deserve Better Project; Episode 2: Don’t We Work to END Abuse Here? Audio clip starting at 27:22

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Sep 3

Welcome back to #WorkerPowerWednesday! Our Unionizing Project is gathering anti-violence worker stories, sharing resources, and building a vision for an anti-violence worker union. Interested in joining us? Reach out to us at [email protected]! #Unionizing #AntiViolence #WorkerPower

What the WDBP Unionizing Project is working on; illustration of 3 people holding signs that read “we deserve better pay,” “we deserve better organizational management,” and “we deserve better systems.” Header: #WorkerPowerWednesday; Footer: We Deserve Better Project

Survey and Focus Groups: We are exploring how unionizing has been or could be used as a tool to improve anti-violence workplaces. We hope to collect the wisdom of anti-violence workers to create a blueprint for transforming our movement. Coming soon!; Resource Sharing: We will be sharing unionizing resources on WDBP’s social media, including Unionizing 101 posts, insights from our research, and busting common myths around unionizing. For folks wanting to connect regarding resources, please contact us at wedeservebetterproject@gmail.com with the subject line “Unionizing”.; Creating a collective vision: Our overarching goal? Creating a collective vision for #WorkerPower across the anti-violence field. Together, we will imagine what a national anti-violence workers’ union could look like.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Sep 1

Labor Day isn’t just a holiday—it’s a reminder of the power of collective action. ✊🏽 Today we honor the workers who organized, went on strike & fought for fair pay, safety, and dignity. Worker power changes lives and reshapes movements. #LaborDay #WeDeserveBetter #WorkerPower

Labor Day isn’t just a holiday—it’s a reminder of the power of collective action. Today we honor the generations of workers who organized, went on strike, and fought for fair pay, safer conditions, and dignity on the job. Let Labor Day serve as a reminder that worker power changes lives and reshapes movements.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Aug 13

Dreaming of building worker power in the anti-violence field? ⭐️The Unionizing Project at WDBP is learning from workers, sharing resources & imagining a movement where worker rights & survivor justice align.

Email [email protected] with “Union” in the subject line to learn more.

Are you interested in unionizing within the anti-violence field? WDBP’s Unionizing Project is exploring how to build a path towards an anti-violence field rooted in worker power. Follow along for our #WorkerPowerWednesdays. Illustration of a hand holding a megaphone.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Aug 11

Talk It Out Together is back next week on Tuesday, August 19! ✨ This month we’ll discuss collective care & accountability in the anti-violence field.

TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. 🔗 Register now at the link in our bio. #advocates

Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project
Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET / 3:30 - 5 pm CT / 2:30 - 4 pm MT / 1:30 - 3 pm PT. Talk It Out Together: This month we’ll discuss Collective Care & Accountability in the Anti-Violence Field. TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. Register at the link in our bio

Join us on August 19 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET. Talk It Out Together: This month we’ll discuss collective care & accountability in the anti-violence field. What does accountability mean to you? Can you give an example of a time when your organization practiced accountability? How about a time when accountability was needed? How do we support our nervous systems to respond when accountability is needed?What would collective care look like? Think: restorative justice > cancel culture. Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Aug 7

✨ Want to join the We Deserve Better Project? We’re inviting new folks to our September meeting! Fill out the form at wedeservebetter.work/volunteer by August 15. #WeDeserveBetter #AntiViolence #Advocate

Want to join the We Deserve Better Project? If you are interested in joining the WDBP, complete the “volunteer” form on our website and we’ll invite you to join our monthly meeting in September. Apply by August 15.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Aug 4

Listen to a clip from the first episode of our new podcast, RE:Imagining the Anti-Violence Field, brought to you by the @wdbproject.bsky.social

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Aug 4

Our new podcast is here! 🎙️RE:Imagining Anti-Violence Work explores the big issues shaping the field + dreams for a better future. Listen to our pilot episode now on Substack (link in bio) or wherever you get your podcasts! Don’t forget to subscribe to get notified of new episodes! #WeDeserveBetter

New Episode of the RE:Imagining Anti-Violence Podcast, brought to you by the We Deserve Better Project; Episode 1: The Assessment Speaks for Itself... We Deserve Better

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jul 28

65% of anti-violence advocates reported burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue—often with little-to-no organizational support. The good news is that burnout is preventable—but only if organizations take responsibility. Read more: wedeservebetter.work/key-findings #WeDeserveBetter

We Deserve Better Project 2023 Assessment; Key Finding #4: With little-to-no-support from their organizations, advocates are experiencing burnout, secondary trauma, and compassion fatigue. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/key-findings

When Passion Becomes Exploitation: 65% of advocates said they experienced secondary trauma, burnout, and/or compassion fatigue. “Workers in this field are often exploited for their passion and personal connection to the work, with the onus of burnout maintenance on the individual and not on the non-profit structures that treat this work as a business, not a social good." - Advocate from Ohio; "It is also gaslighting to pretend that we are not suffering abuse or to put the onus on staff to prevent "burnout" when we are leaving to end the abuse.” - Advocate from New York

Why are Anti-Violence Workers Burning Out? 52% of advocates shared they are challenged by the scarcity of resources.Unstable funding leads to staffing shortages and turnover, creating a cycle of unmanageable workloads. “The primary cause of stress that results from low pay is the inability to retain a large workforce for long enough time to build trust and understanding between coworkers. There is no faith that anyone will stay long enough... and widespread acknowledgement that one’s decision to leave is ultimately fully justified, if not encouraged, for their mental health.” - Advocate from Ohio

Burnout is Preventable, and it’s the Organization’s Responsibility: 28% of advocates reported that their organization provides meaningful burnout prevention measures. “My employer worked with me to adjust my schedule so that I can attend weekly therapy sessions. I also currently work from home.
The combination of therapy and working from home has done worlds of good for my mental and emotional health.” - Advocate from Alaska; 47% of advocates indicated affordable access to therapy and mental health resources would make them more likely to stay at their job

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jul 21

✨Want to join the We Deserve Better Project? We’re inviting new folks to our September meeting! Fill out the form at wedeservebetter.work/volunteer to get started (link in bio). #WeDeserveBetter #AntiViolence #Advocate

: Who we are: The WDBP is a group of current and former anti-violence workers from across the United States who are committed to creating better working conditions that mutually benefit survivors and advocates. Our group is made up entirely of volunteers who bring their lived experiences and passion to this work. The SOAR Collective offers support, coordination, and strategic guidance to sustain and grow the work of WDBP and similar efforts. Meanwhile, WDBP members lead the projects and initiatives they are passionate about, all in service of our shared mission. Together, we’re building a movement for lasting, meaningful change.

What We’re Working On: 1) Talk It Out Together: TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. You could help co-facilitate our monthly calls! 2) Podcast: We’re starting a podcast! And you could be our next guest... or a co-host... or help edit episodes! If you're interested in sharing your story of burnout, workplace abuse, and your visions for the future of anti-violence work, send an email with the subject line “podcast.” 3) Unionizing Project: Our upcoming project will be a survey to learn about unionizing efforts within our organizations to create a blueprint for collective action that transforms the movement. No prior experience with unionizing is necessary to join, and confidentiality will be respected. To learn more, send an email with the subject line “union.”

Other Ways to Contribute: If you can’t commit to monthly meetings or joining a project, there are other ways you can contribute: 1) Spread the word: Tell your co-workers about us or reshare our posts on social media. 2) Share resources: Do you know of an upcoming event or helpful resource you think other anti-violence workers would want to know about? Send us a message or fill out the form on our website. 3) Tell us your idea: If you’ve thought of something that would benefit advocates and survivors, but don’t have time to work on it, feel free to share it with us and we’ll see what we can do to make it happen! If now isn’t the right time... no worries! We will be onboarding a new cohort of members in March 2026. You can fill out the form on our website to be added to our email list where you can be notified of upcoming opportunities to participate.

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jul 14

WDBP is starting a podcast and looking for guests! If you're interested in sharing your story of burnout, workplace abuse, & your visions for the future of anti-violence work, please send an email with the subject line “podcast” to [email protected] #Podcast #AntiViolence #Advocate

WDBP is starting a podcast and looking for guests! If you're interested in sharing your story of burnout, workplace abuse, and your visions for the future of anti-violence work, please send an email with the subject line “podcast” to wedeservebetterproject@gmail.com

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jul 7

Talk It Out Together is back next week on Tuesday, July 15! ✨ This month we’ll discuss navigating uncertainty in the anti-violence field.

TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers to connect, share challenges, and support each other. 🔗 Register now at the link in our bio. #advocates #antiviolence

Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project
Tuesday, July 15 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET / 3:30 - 5 pm CT / 2:30 - 4 pm MT / 1:30 - 3 pm PT. Talk It Out Together: This month we’ll discuss Navigating Uncertainty in the Anti-Violence Field. "I am so glad to be in this meeting - feels so refreshing to just be together. I appreciate it." - TIOT participant. Register at the link in our bio

Join us on July 15 from 4:30 - 6 pm ET. Talk It Out Together: This month we’ll discuss Navigating Uncertainty in the Anti-Violence Field. How would you describe the energy of your work environment lately? Can you give an example? What is going well? What is challenging? Are there areas of uncertainty that you and your team are facing? If not, do you foresee any areas that will be impacted as federal policies change? How do we support our nervous systems to respond to uncertainty? What would collective care look like? Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jun 23

Advocates are doing life-saving work—and struggling to survive. Most don’t even make enough for a 1-bedroom rental. 7 in 10 say low pay is pushing them out. We need real change. Visit the link in our bio to learn more. #WeDeserveBetter #SupportAdvocates #LivingWageNow

Slide 1: We Deserve Better Project 2023 Assessment; Key Finding #3: Advocates deserve better pay and benefits, and many are struggling to survive. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/key-findings

Slide 2: Insufficient Pay Identified as Top Challenge or Reason to Leave; 7 out of 10 advocates identified insufficient pay as a challenge or reason they left their job (Respondents could select more than one answer); “The pay is too low. The primary cause of stress that results from low pay is the inability to retain a large workforce for long enough time to build trust and understanding between coworkers." - Advocate from Ohio; “Better pay is the bottom line. Advocates carry a large burden of responsibility & care on their shoulders... with very little financial gain." - Advocate from West Virginia

Slide 3: Top 3 Resources & Support Needed to Keep Working in Field: 80% Better Pay; 61% Consistent Raises; 55% Debt Relief (Respondents could select more than one answer). “I enjoy my job and I hope to stay in it for a long time. But, truthfully, at this wage, I recognize that is likely to become impossible at some point.” - Advocate from Indiana; "This field will continue to see attrition of SOLID workers until the pay disparities are corrected and we are treated with the dignity, care, and respect we deserve." - Advocate from Pennsylvania

Slide 4: Living Wage? Not for Most Advocates. Average salary of a domestic violence advocate: $32,717; Wage needed to afford modest 1-bedroom rental: $44,200; Wage needed to afford modest 2-bedroom rental: $53,705. Source: NNEDV's April 2023 Economic Justice and Domestic Violence Advisory Council Recommendations: Advocate Compensation. "Multiple of my coworkers have second jobs to pay the bills." - Advocate from Indiana; "Salary is low and due to the erratic hours (24-hour on-call shifts, for example), we are not permitted to have a second job. We've been told that a second job then takes away our availability from on-call and that it wouldn't be fair to ask other advocates to work around our schedule." - Advocate from West Virginia

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jun 23

Advocates are doing everything they can to stay in the anti-violence movement—but with burnout, low pay, and organizational trauma, it’s not easy. Learn more about our assessment at the link in our bio. #WeDeserveBetter #AntiViolence #SupportAdvocates #BurnoutIsReal

Slide 1: We Deserve Better Project 2023 Assessment; Key Finding #2: Advocates are doing everything they can to keep working in the anti-violence movement, but it’s hard. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/key-findings

Slide 2: Top 3 Strategies Used to Keep Working in Anti-Violence Field: Respondents could select more than one answer: 51% I pursue programs that align with my core values; 36% I changed departments or roles within my agency; 34% I’ve worked at multiple local anti-violence agencies. “I seek out creative opportunities as well as cutting-edge programs and ideas for me and the staff. Working at a learning & training organization has helped me stay with the same agency for almost 40 years.” - Advocate from California

Slide 3: Most Advocates Do Not Stay at One Agency Their Entire Careers: Nearly a third (32%) of advocates reported working in advocacy for 10 or more years, but only 6% of those same advocates had been working at their most recent job for all or most of that same time period. While there might be longevity for some advocates, most do not stay at the same agency the entire time and instead work at multiple agencies.

Slide 4: Top Challenges & Reasons Advocates Left Their Jobs; Insufficient pay 69%; Burnout 65%; Lack of Resources 52%; Lack of survivor alternatives 52%; Resistance to Addressing Conflict 49%; Ineffective management 48%. “I left a state anti-SA coalition after realizing that I was experiencing moral injury, not just burnout... I was the fourth person to voluntarily leave this year.” - Advocate from New York; “I tried a number of strategies but had to leave the field due to burnout and organizational trauma.” - Advocate from Pennsylvania

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jun 23

Advocates are the heart of the anti-violence movement. In our 2023 Assessment, 60% of advocates identified their survivorship as inspiration to work in the movement; so when we support advocates, we also support survivors. Visit the link in our bio to learn more. #AntiViolence #SupportSurvivors

Slide 1: We Deserve Better Project 2023 Assessment; Key Finding #1: Advocates are deeply passionate about creating safe and thriving communities and are committed to supporting survivors in every way they can. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/key-findings

Slide 2: Supporting advocates also supports survivors: 60% of advocates identified their survivorship as inspiration to work in the anti-violence movement. “Most of the people who are drawn to the movement are survivors themselves and/or their motives are in the right place. The people are good!” - Advocate from California; “This very same shelter I work at, my mother brought my sisters and I to, and it helped her get on her feet. I learned to walk here. Years later, my sister used to work as an advocate here, and now I do.” - Advocate from Alaska.

Slide 3: About the Assessment: We asked advocates to complete an anonymous assessment between the end of November 2022 and the middle of January 2023. Our goal was to learn more about the experiences of current and former anti-violence workers. We received 265 responses from advocates across 33 US states and territories. Map of United States with states and territories colored in. We defined "advocate" as anyone who currently or had recently worked at victim service agencies. Learn more at wedeservebetter.work/assessment

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We Deserve Better Project @wdbproject.bsky.social · Jun 12

Talk It Out Together is back next week on Tuesday, June 17! ✨

TIOT is a space for anti-violence workers.

This month we’re unpacking what the shifting parameters around anti-violence funding means for our work, our organizations, and ourselves.

Register now at the link in our bio

Header: Hosted by the We Deserve Better Project

Join us on Tuesday, June 17 at 4:30 pm ET /
3:30 pm CT / 2:30 pm MT / 1:30 pm PT

Two speech bubbles that say “Talk It Out Together”

Topic: Funding Shifts | This month we’re unpacking what the shifting parameters around funding means for our work, our organizations, and ourselves.

Footer: Register at the link in our bio