Our New Partner Organization: Vita-Activa.org
by Eerika Nokkala
In the light of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence -campaign, Vita-Activa.org is a timely addition to our growing community of organizations and women entrepreneurs working towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. We recently spoke with Dr. Luisa Ortiz Pérez from the organization, and asked her to tell us more about their work as a helpline and mental health task force tackling the increasing phenomenon of online violence.
What does Vita-Activa.org do?
Vita-Activa.org is a helpline and mental health task force for women, gender non-binary people, activists, and human rights defenders experiencing online violence, trauma and burnout. Our team consists of 10 courageous individuals, who support those in need through professional and empathetic approaches. Our day-to-day operations aim to provide different ways to approach the individual relationship all of us have with stress, anxiety, burnout, trauma and pain.
Our work is anonymous, confidential and free. We receive messages via WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal in Spanish and English. We support individuals from all over Latin America, as well as those who speak Spanish in the United States and Canada.
What is a typical day at the Vita-Activa.org office like?
On most days we receive calls and messages from people who have encountered online violence. Each case is unique, but the common forms of violence online we come across include harassment, threats, extortion, as well as intimate photos being posted online without consent.
We start our calls with very simple, but healing, questions: How are you? How do you feel? We help the individuals contacting us to distance themselves from the situation they are in, so they can take a minute or two to just breath and relax, before making any decisions regarding the violent situation they have experienced.
What are some recent projects you have engaged in?
Through our social media, we pursue to highlight the importance of selfcare in mental health. Practicing self-acceptance, finding the suitable environment for a good night’s sleep, as well as setting clear boundaries all contribute to our general wellbeing, as well as our ability to take active steps in preventing stress and a potential burnout. Inclusivity is another theme promoted through our social media channels, and especially important in the line of work our organization does.
Do you have any projects targeted at the English-speaking community?
We launched the US Election Mental Health Task Force in November this year, to remind journalists that our resources were available to them, if they were feeling overwhelmed by their workload covering the days leading up to the election, as well as the election day. We provided free meditation resources online, published tips for keeping calm during the stress of the election day and cultivating resilience. Our strategic tools for crisis management included: be present, cultivate hope, be compassionate, distract yourself, and breathe. Our aim was to provide resources, while reminding that hardship does not need to be faced alone, as we are always here to help.
How can someone facing online gender-based violence get in touch with you?
You can contact us via message, audio or video by Whatsapp, Signal and Telegram at + 52 155-8171-1117, as VitaActivaOrg on social networks -TW, IN, FB- or by email: support@vita-activa.org
