I speak out about rape and sexual assault whenever I am offered the opportunity. Although it is difficult and sometimes leaves me feeling raw, I find that it is empowering to me and incredibly healing.
Choosing to tell our stories is always a very personal decision. Some of us prefer to share our stories with a few close friends or family members, while others feel that breaking the silence heals. Often survivors find that activism is empowering, even if our personal stories of rape or sexual abuse are not disclosed. Email me to find someone to speak about sexual assault for your project.
You might also like to read these articles by survivors who volunteer and speak out.
Truth About Rape (TAR): TAR is a UK-based women's group which campaigns to fight rape myths and injustice in the courts and media. TAR is growing with members in other countries.
Faces of Sexual Assault: Nobuko, a survivor, has spent the past two years traveling around the world photographing male and female survivors of sexual assault. Her site contains the photographs of many survivors and she is hoping to photograph more. Participating was in this project was healing to me and if you decide to participate, I hope it has the same impact on you.
Take Back the News: After observing the biased portrayal of survivors many media sources provide, Emily, an activist from Boston, has provided this space for survivors to tell their stories any way they want. Some stories may be published in an underground newspaper located in Boston.
Volunteer at your local rape crisis center: Sexual Assault Crisis Centers are usually on a tight budget and rely heavily on volunteers, so you can support the work however you feel comfortable. I work on the crisis line for 6-12 hours a week and Bill, my partner, just became certified to do the same. It is very rewarding to know that I can make a difference. If you cannot locate one through RAINN's database, try a larger search engine. Also, many centers are registered at Idealist.org which has a database of organizations looking for volunteers.
Sign a Petition: Nancy Veneable Raine, the author of After Silence, has created a petition asking the Surgeon General to proclaim the trauma of rape a national health problem and devote necessary resources to addressing the immediate and long term effects of rape. You can print it out and sign it and pass it along. Click here to sign an online petition asking for stronger American laws against domestic violence.
Take part in the banner project. If you are the survivor of child sexual abuse, you can take part in the banner project by preparing a small square of cloth with your handprint and personal message on it. Email the Banner Project for more information. The squares are sewn together to create a stunning testimony to the strength of survivors of sexual abuse.
Men Can Stop Rape Men working together to stop rape.
Educate others: This is probably the simplest way to be active in the fight against sexual assault. If you hear others talking making jokes about rape or pedophelia, Speak Up. Let them know it is not funny to make jokes about it. If you hear anyone perpetuating myths about sexual assault, let them know the truth. It can happen to anyone.
If you would like me to provide a link to your project, please email me.
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