Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

DEI in Action

The action we take in support of Laurel House’s DEI Framework and along our DEI journey provide a sense of how we are working to achieve our primary goals:

• Enhance cultural competency, increase inclusivity and a sense of belonging amongst staff by engaging in activities that bring diverse groups together
• Identify and spread awareness about holidays and significant dates, across cultural barriers, to decrease ethnocentrism at Laurel House
• Participate in county and other local collaborative initiatives focused on DEI

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Terms of Domestic Abuse

DEI is a crucial lens with which we should look at domestic violence. We believe that ending domestic violence begins with creating a more knowledgeable and empathetic society. To properly advocate for social change and act as a catalyst for prevention and education, we must dismantle systems that allow violence and inequality to exist. As a public agency dedicated to service, we affirm that the provision of services to adults and children shall not be denied on the basis of age, race, sex, creed, ethnicity, color, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, handicap, religion, or medical condition.

All too often, members of the LGBTQ+ community, BIPOC communities, and people with disabilities are invisible victims of domestic abuse. At Laurel House, we are fully committed to understanding the historical barriers that exist for survivors in various communities so that we can work to remove them and provide the highest quality support and services that will allow them to heal.

In the context of domestic abuse, Laurel House embraces the following definitions of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

Diversity

We recognize that people often have multiple intersecting labels and identities that shape their experiences. Our identities are perhaps one of the most fluid features of being human. We change and evolve all the time, and thus, so does our definition of diversity.

Equity

Our clients come to us from a diverse array of backgrounds and circumstances. For some clients, all it took to reach us was getting in their cars and driving, and for others, reaching us meant multiple days of travel across different means of transportation. Their opportunities for help and access to professionals who can assist them did not present themselves equally. For some, we are the first domestic violence agency they've ever heard of, and for others, we were on a list of many possibilities. At Laurel House, we work to remove these barriers so that our clients have equal access and opportunity to obtain the tools they need.

Inclusion

Domestic abuse affects all races, socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, gender identities and sexual orientations. We strive to create an environment that ensures all individuals feel welcomed and respected. We invite victims, donors, and community members from all walks of life to participate in the fight against domestic violence and share their thoughts on how their experiences should shape their care and the ways the community can help.