By: Lidia Evita, Staff Writer for World Liberty TV

The New York Asian Women’s Center is a leader in providing innovative and award-winning multilingual and culturally responsive services to survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual violence and elder abuse. For 35 years, it has helped Asian women and their children rise above trauma and build a path to healing through counseling, safe and confidential emergency housing, immigration and legal services, economic empowerment programs and so much more. Officially changed its name to Womankind   at a press conference in Manhattan today.

“We changed our name to create an identity that speaks to the power of our unique ways of thinking and doing-changing paradigms, building  and healing,” said Larry Lee ,executive director of Womankind. “And to show that we are more inclusive and transforming .We changed because we had outgrown our name.”

For 35 years, Womankind has helped Asian women and their children rise above trauma and build a path to healing through counseling , safe and confidential emergency housing, immigration and legal services ,economic empowerment programs and so much more.

Representatives from the organization also revealed the trailer of a short film called “Rise Above”, which premiered during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, over the weekend. The virtual  reality (VR) film focuses on Brittany, a South Asian survivor of sexual violence and was produced by Oculus’VR For Good initiative and directed by Benjamin Gleason Ross and Brittany Neff of Co. Reality .

“It was great to be able to tell my story of abuse through the medium of virtual reality and be able to share the film through social media “, said Brittany “I hope the film encourages more people from my generation to report abuse and speak out against violence.” The VR for Good initiative will make its rounds through the film festival  circuit and will, eventually be available to view in its entirety on the organization’s recently revamped website.

Womankind also announced the opening of a new  community office  in Brooklyn , which will allow advocates to provide services to double the number of victims from that community.The Brooklyn office makes for a total of THREE community offices and TWO emergency residences that Womankind manages in New York .

Media luncheon featured  Larry Lee (Executive Director), Karen Elizaga (Board Chair), Benjamin Ross (Film Director), Queen V (Indie Rock Artist) and Brittany (South Asian survivor of sexual violence and subject of short film).

See more about Womankind in our World Liberty TV ,Humanitarian Channel by clicking here.