Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council

In April, the Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council received a group of seven visitors from Pakistan for a program focused on fighting gender-based violence.  The group included several members of groups dealing with women’s rights and economic support for women.  The program included the following objectives:

·         Identify the challenges to addressing gender-based violence from local, state, and federal perspectives;

·         Illustrate the essential role of NGOs and faith-based organizations in supporting victims of domestic violence, rape, honor killings, and incest and their families;

·         Provide insight into how gender-based violence is investigated and prosecuted at all levels; and

·         Explore the impact of gender-based violence on families and the community at large.

During their visit to Pensacola, the visitors met first with Dr. Kimberly Womack of Baptist Hospital, where they observed emergency room procedures as well as post-event counseling for the victims of rape.  The visitors also were able to handle rape kits and have a discussion focusing on rape examinations and SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) procedures. 

Next, the delegation met with Vickie Horton, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Kid’s House.  During this visit, our international visitors learned about the facilities at the Gulf Coast Kid’s House that are created specifically for children and their families to facilitate the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child abuse and neglect.  

The group’s final appointment for their first day was with Susan Farris, a Felony Prosecutor with the State Attorney’s Office, and victims’ advocates.  While there, the Pakistani delegation reviewed the prosecution process and then toured the court facilities.

To start the weekend off, on Saturday the group enjoyed a visit downtown to Historic Pensacola Village where they learned about our city’s past as the earliest settlement in the United States and toured several of the preserved houses and properties.  Then on Sunday the delegates experienced the Pensacola Jazz Fest with picnic food and company provided by council member Clare Reynolds.   

On Monday the group attended the first day of The Professional’s Challenge in Addressing Domestic Violence, a conference organized by the Escambia County Domestic Violence Coalition.  Dr. Kimberly Tatum, Chair of the coalition and professor at the University of West Florida, welcomed the group to the meeting and introduced them to their professional counterparts.