Mission Moment – The Empowerment Model
Mission Moment – The Empowerment Model
Rebuilding Autonomy Through Empowerment
Imagine making every decision with someone else’s approval, never feeling fully in control of your own life. For many survivors of domestic violence, this is their reality—until they regain their autonomy through empowerment.
Cambridge dictionary defines empowerment as “the process of gaining freedom and power to do what you want or to control what happens to you.” This is especially important in our work with those who have experienced domestic violence, since power and control has been held over them.
At YWCA Spokane, empowerment isn’t just a concept—it’s the foundation of how we support survivors. Rather than telling people what to do, we provide encouragement, tools, and space for them to rebuild their confidence and self-sufficiency. This survivor-centered approach ensures that individuals regain control over their own lives and make informed decisions for their future.
“By using the empowerment model with clients, we are rebuilding a sense of autonomy,” says Morgan Colburn, Director of Advocacy Support. “We present options, offer support, and ultimately trust survivors to make the decisions that are right for them.”
How the Empowerment Model Works
Empowerment means:
- Trusting survivors as the experts in their own lives
- Presenting options, not orders
- Helping break down big decisions into manageable steps
- Providing a safe space for survivors to explore choices and build confidence
“It is not ‘let me do this for you, “but rather ‘let me help you do this for yourself,’” says Morgan.
At its core, the Empowerment Model is about helping survivors help themselves. This model centers confidence, encouragement, and fostering an environment where survivors are respected as experts on their own experiences.
Survivors Know How to Survive
An important part of the Empowerment Model is recognizing that survivors are the experts in their own experiences and already have the strength and knowledge to navigate their own lives. Our role is not to “fix” or “save” them but to support them in reclaiming their power.
For some survivors, this can feel unfamiliar. “There are times when clients come in and want us to tell them what to do,” Morgan explains. But assuming we have the one right answer reinforces power imbalances. Instead, advocates emphasize that their role is to provide a space for survivors to explore options and ultimately make their own decisions.
Building Self-Sufficiency
Empowerment is not a quick fix—it’s a long-term process. Regaining decision-making power allows survivors to own their successes and build confidence. By breaking large challenges into smaller, achievable steps, we help them see progress along the way.
- Finding housing: Instead of securing a home for them, we teach survivors how to search for rentals, evaluate listings, and practice conversations with landlords.
- Violence prevention with youth: Instead of dictating lessons, we ask students what they want to learn and let them lead discussions.
- Advocacy support: Instead of making decisions on behalf of survivors, we listen, provide information, and support them in finding their own solutions.
The Empowerment Model helps survivors rebuild their lives in a way that doesn’t rely on outside saviors but on their own strength and choices.
Empowerment in Action: A Core Value and Requirement
At YWCA Spokane, empowerment isn’t just a philosophy or value—it’s a requirement. Our largest grant from the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA) mandates that our services be survivor-centered and empowerment-based. This means we approach survivors as whole, capable individuals rather than as people in need of saving.
“We don’t come from an angle of telling survivors what to do. That is not the work of the YWCA.”
This value extends beyond client services. We empower our staff by recognizing their expertise and lived experiences, ensuring they have the autonomy to make meaningful impacts in their work.
The Empowerment Model represents more than just a methodology. It is a commitment to restoring autonomy, building confidence, and recognizing survivors as experts in their own lives. It ensures that survivors are not just recipients of support, but active participants in their healing and decision-making processes. By emphasizing choice, self-determination, and respect for the survivor's lived experience, we create an environment where true empowerment can flourish, and survivors can build lives of independence and resilience.
How You Can Support a Survivor in Your Life
Misconceptions About Empowerment
Some assume that if we don’t tell survivors what to do, we aren’t helping them. But true empowerment means:
- Not “saving” survivors. Instead, we support them in making their own decisions, leading to lasting independence.
- Not controlling their choices. We provide resources, but survivors dictate their journey.
- Not judging or shaming. We meet people where they are, offering a safe and respectful space.
Support through Empowerment
If someone you care about is experiencing domestic violence or has survived abuse, it’s natural to want to help. However, well-intended support can sometimes take power away from the survivor instead of restoring it. Here are some ways you can apply the empowerment model in your personal relationships:
- Listen Without Judgment: Allow the survivor to share their story on their own terms. Avoid questioning their decisions or pushing them toward a specific course of action.
- Provide Options, Not Directives: Instead of saying, "You need to leave now," try, "Here are some resources that might help whenever you're ready." This keeps decision-making in the survivor’s hands.
- Trust Their Expertise in Their Own Life: Survivors know their situation best. Support their choices, even if they don’t align with what you would do.
- Offer Emotional Support Without Pressure: Let them know they are not alone, and that you are there for them regardless of what they decide.
- Be Patient: Healing and change take time. Avoid frustration if progress doesn’t happen immediately.
- Respect Their Boundaries: Ask what kind of support they want and follow their lead.
Empowerment means supporting survivors in a way that strengthens their autonomy rather than replacing one controlling force with another. By practicing these principles, we can help create a world where survivors feel safe, respected, and in charge of their own futures.
Need Additional Support?
Connect with the YWCA Helpline
In addition to supporting survivors of domestic violence who need services, YWCA Spokane’s 24hr helpline is available to support allies looking to better understand how to help loved ones in their lives. Connect with one of our confidential advocates by calling 509-326-2255, texting 509-222-2222, or emailing help@ywcaspokane.org.
By: Jemma Riedel-Johnson
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