Sexual Violence Prevention

Throughout my years of working in the field of sexual violence prevention, I have noticed a significant need for visionary work to change culture around the issue of violence in our communities. The bias, taboo, and controversial nature with which sexual violence has lived in creates an unease, urgency, and fear-based response that often finds even the most intentional of people caught in the “safest, quickest, or easiest” solution rather than the BEST solution.

Through this platform, my vision is to provide a framework and create strategic plans for organizations seeking to make this change that will put them in the driver’s seat and thus lead to home-grown and sustainable solutions.

The fundamental component of Orenda & Co's work is the Lotus Effect model. This model is based on a lotus flower. The lotus grows in murky waters and rises to the top to produce one of the world’s most beautiful flowers. That is what this organization hopes to achieve as well.

Scientists refer to the lotus effect as a phenomenon where lotus flowers can repel any unwanted moisture from its petals. Similarly, in Orenda & Co’s framework, where water represents rape culture, rape myths, and any other risk factors that promote sexual violence, the Lotus Effect Model will create a foundation that is impenetrable by those harmful factors. Orenda & Co will help build that shield through a multi-phase process that builds effective prevention approaches from the ground, or metaphorical swamp, up.