Photo of Esta Soler
Esta Soler

Esta Soler (born June 26, 1947 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, US) is an American activist who founded the social justice organization Futures Without Violence, and serves as president of FUTURES.

Early life

Soler was born in Bridgeport in 1947. She graduated from Simmons College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1968, then obtained her master's degree in Social Work from the University of Connecticut.

Advocacy

Soler became interested in anti-violence advocacy after hearing a speech from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Bridgeport. In 1971, she became a social worker in San Francisco, assisting women in a drug treatment program. Soler learned that many of the women with drug dependencies had also suffered domestic abuse, and that trauma from that abuse was a leading contributor to their addictions.[1] She also learned that law enforcement did not take domestic violence seriously, and frequently did not arrest the abusers. In 1980, Soler established the Family Violence Prevention Fund, later renamed Futures Without Violence, in San Francisco to develop responses to domestic violence nationwide. [2] Under Soler's leadership, the organization was instrumental in passage of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994, as well as its re-authorizations and expansions in 2000, 2005, 2013, and 2022, and the Family Violence Prevention Services Act.[3] Soler is an outspoken advocate for the passage of the International Violence Against Women Act.[4]

Under Soler’s leadership, Futures Without Violence has launched four national public education campaigns in conjunction with The Advertising Council:

  • There’s No Excuse for Domestic Violence, which included TV spots as well as radio, print and other collateral, launched in 1994.[5][6]
  • Coaching Boys Into Men, the only evidence-based prevention program[7][8] that trains and motivates high school coaches to teach their young male athletes healthy relationship skills and that violence never equals strength. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the program.[9]
  • Created in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women and the Advertising Council, That’s Not Cool partners with young people to help raise awareness and bring education and organizing tools to communities to address dating violence, unhealthy relationships, and digital abuse. That’s Not Cool won a Webby Award in 2016.[10]
  • Changing Minds NOW works with supportive, caring, and consistent adults in the lives of kids, offering tools and strategies to increase awareness and build capacity to help children and youth – particularly those exposed to violence – not only survive, but thrive. It was created through a grant from the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Dept. of Justice.[11]

Soler has served a consultant and/or advisor for the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Aspen Institute, and the Soros Justice Fellowship Program. Soler's work to prevent violence against women was featured on MAKERS, an interactive video and documentary project launched by AOL and PBS.[12] Soler delivered a TEDTalk charting 30 years of tactics and technologies—from the Polaroid camera to social media—that have shaped the movement to end domestic violence.[13] She is co-author of Ending Domestic Violence: Changing Public Perception/Halting the Epidemic[14] and has been published and interviewed extensively as an expert on domestic violence.[15][16][17][18][19][20]

Recognition

Public service

Soler serves on the boards of the Blue Shield of California Foundation and the Center for Family Policy and Practice. Soler was a member of the Violence Against Women National Advisory Council under Health & Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Attorney General Janet Reno.[2]

References

  1. ↑ "The Interview: The Courage Of Esta Soler • The Nob Hill Gazette". The Nob Hill Gazette. 2021-06-01. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  2. 1 2 Lev, Rachel (2003). Shine the Light: Sexual Abuse and Healing in the Jewish Community. UPNE. p. xvii. ISBN 9781555535346.
  3. ↑ Esta Soler, Mother of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994 | KQED This Week, retrieved 2022-08-18
  4. ↑ "Ending Violence Against Women is Possible and Urgent". Council on Foreign Relations. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  5. ↑ Public Service Announcement | Neighbors | Futures Without Violence, retrieved 2022-09-21
  6. ↑ Public Service Announcement | Stairs | Futures Without Violence, retrieved 2022-09-21
  7. ↑ "Coaching Boys Into Men - UC Davis Medical Center - UC Davis Health System". health.ucdavis.edu. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  8. ↑ "Program Prevents Dating Violence in Middle Schoolers". UPMC | Life Changing Medicine. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  9. ↑ "Prevention Strategies|Sexual Violence|Violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC". www.cdc.gov. 2022-02-11. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  10. ↑ "NEW Webby Gallery + Index". NEW Webby Gallery + Index. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  11. ↑ "Department of Justice Launches Changing Minds Campaign To Raise Awareness about Children's Exposure to Violence". Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. Retrieved 2022-09-21.
  12. ↑ "Esta Soler, Founder, Futures Without Violence". Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  13. ↑ "Esta Soler, Violence and abuse prevention expert". TED Conferences LLC. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
  14. ↑ Ending domestic violence : changing public perceptions/halting the epidemic. Ethel Klein. Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications. 1997. ISBN 0-8039-7042-0. OCLC 36649401.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  15. ↑ Times, The New York (2018-04-21). "Listen to 'Dear Sugars': I'm in Love With My Abuser — With Esta Soler". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  16. ↑ Harris, Lynn (2010-05-27). "The Nation: When Teen Pregnancy Is No Accident". NPR. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  17. ↑ "SF Ethics Commission To Make Recommendation On Suspended Sheriff Mirkarimi's Job". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  18. ↑ Clifford, Stephanie (2009-02-07). "Straight talk on digital harassment for teenagers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  19. ↑ Soler, Joe Torre,Esta (2014-09-13). "A powerful tool against domestic violence". CNN. Retrieved 2022-08-18.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ "Commentary: How Businesses Can Build on 'Me Too' Progress". Fortune. Retrieved 2022-08-18.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "Ms. Q&A: Esta Soler Shatters Silence to Build Futures Without Violence". msmagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-08-12.
  22. ↑ "UCSF Medal". Office of the Chancellor. Retrieved 1 July 2020.
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