The Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) is marking this year’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) with a series of events, including a Photo Exhibit titled “Looking Within” on October 26, 2018, at 5pm at the health and social services organization’s Cambridge office, located on 1046 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA.

The photo exhibit will feature several photographs taken by the women of the MAPS Support Group for victims of Domestic Violence, and will highlight their journeys from victims to survivors. The event, which will be open to the community, will also include a cocktail reception and a small arts and crafts sale, the first step in creating a women’s co-op that will help the women of the group achieve financial empowerment.

“Often times, one of the main obstacles that victims face is financial dependency,” said Dulce Ferreira, MA, Director of the MAPS Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (DVSA) Program. “Reclaiming financial independence is a crucial step in the healing process, so we wanted to support our women in this endeavor, while reinforcing this message among our community members.”

In addition to the October 26 exhibit, the MAPS team of advocates will also be taking part in several community events. On October 12 at 6 pm at MAPS’ Dorchester office (1 Stoughton Street), the Cabo Verdean Women’s Group “Finka Pé” is hosting their annual “Wear Purple” event. Participants are encouraged to wear purple-colored clothes – the color of the Women’s movement – and to come together to have an open discussion about Domestic Violence and ways to support each other and the community in raising awareness around the issue.

In response to an invitation by the Allston-based Approach International Student Center, MAPS advocates will be promoting a week of presentations regarding Domestic Violence, starting on October 15. As in previous years, the MAPS DVSA team will participate in DVAM events organized by the Brazilian Consulate in Boston, including a Conversation about Self-Esteem and Empowerment on October 13, at 6pm at the New England Community Center (810 Washington St., 3, Stoughton MA); a training for health and beauty professionals at the Consulate of Brazil in Boston (175 Purchase St., Boston) on October 15 between 2 and 5pm; and a Conversation about Family and Healthy Relationships on October 17, at 6:30pm, at the Brazilian Women’s Group (697 Cambridge St., Brighton MA).

MAPS, a longtime member of Jane Doe Inc., the Massachusetts Coalition against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, provides culturally and linguistically competent assistance to survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence through its Cambridge, Brighton, Dorchester, Framingham and Lowell offices, in a completely free, confidential and culturally appropriate setting.