HSD Employee Spotlight—Michelle Smith
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (MODVSA), which is part of HSD’s Safe and Thriving Communities division, funds community efforts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV), support survivors, and hold offenders accountable. Through coalition building, it has helped build a regional response network to support those in need.
Our latest Employee Spotlight features Michelle Smith, Senior Planning and Development Specialist with MODVSA. She writes about MODVSA’s critical work, why we need to raise awareness about GBV, and tells us about Mamma Casserole.
What does MODVSA do and what does your day-to-day look like?
MODVSA takes the lead on working towards preventing and ending all types of gender-based violence (GBV) in our community. GBV includes sexual violence, domestic and interpersonal violence, commercial sexual exploitation, and child abuse.
A large chunk of my work revolves around procurement and developing the funding processes that enable community organizations to provide frontline work and advocacy. My typical day includes research, data analysis, and determining how to better meet survivors’ needs. It includes leading and managing projects such as the GBV Housing & Homelessness Collaborative, Domestic Violence Intervention Project, and the Sex Buyers Intervention Program.
Why is it important to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month?
Despite Seattle being a leader in domestic violence (DV) response, DV continues to rise in our region. Funding cuts, gender inequalities, financial instability, support systems unraveling, and regressive cultural shifts contribute to increasing violence. Too many people are in pain and suffering.
On Thursday, Oct. 15, MODVSA is co-hosting a public event at Seattle City Hall to recognize Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Purple Thursday. Titled “The Time is Now: Centering Survivors in Our Work to End Domestic Violence,” the event will bring community together, raise awareness, and celebrate those leading the fight to provide healing, safety and support for survivors.
Everyone deserves to live safe, healthy, and happy lives. Not enough is being done to end this crisis, so we need to amplify this issue as much as we can. And we need to be honest and upfront about the main causes of DV, including gender inequality, poverty, white supremacy, and wealth inequality. We need to continue working to address these contributing factors.
What’s the best part of your job?
A highlight of my job is the relationships I am building, both within HSD and in community. Some of the best, most caring people are working to better the lives of survivors.
Who is Mamma Casserole?
Mamma Casserole is my cosmic vibes DJ moniker. I’m a Seattle-based promotor and DJ who fuses her political activism with my love of music. I have spun records in Reykjavik, Iceland; Athens, Greece; and New York City, and I have promoted and booked music festivals such as Noise for the Needy, which raised money for local non-profits.
You can currently see me DJing my eclectic sets all around Seattle at various local venues. Catch me on Insta!
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