DEVIKA SHANKAR is a transnational feminist and passionate advocate dedicated to social justice and fighting all forms of oppression. She has worked in the field of intimate partner violence (IPV) for over 12 years, is certified in the state of California in both Domestic Violence Counseling for Survivors and in Batterers’ Intervention, and has provided advocacy, counseling, and support services to survivors of IPV and many other forms of trauma and violence.

Devika is currently the Program Supervisor of the STOP Violence Program at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, a program that provides culturally specific and responsive counseling and support services to LGBTQ victims of crime. Through this position, Devika also provides training, education, and technical assistance to IPV shelter programs, LGBTQ organizations, and various other service provider agencies on many topics, including IPV in LGBTQ communities, and trauma informed approaches.

Since 2015, Devika has been a member of the Steering Committee of Trauma Informed LA (TILA), serving as Co-Chair from 2016 to 2017 and as Communications Coordinator since 2018. Devika is also a core member of the Los Angeles chapter of AF3IRM, a transnational feminist, anti-imperialist, activist organization that mobilizes around im/migration issues, anti-trafficking/sexual exploitation, and anti-militarism and state violence. As of October 2019, Devika now serves as one of the 3 Chapter Co-Coordinators for AF3IRM Los Angeles.