Be the change:
Help end sexual assault.
Helping to end sexual assault takes courage.
How can we even begin to end a problem so widespread and long-standing?
The answer is, "One person at a time."
When you see or hear things that contribute to and perpetuate sexual assault, you have the power to take action. What may seem like a small act is in fact very powerful. Recognizing that each of us has that power is a tremendous step toward preventing - and ultimately, ending - sexual violence.
Here are some simple things anyone can do to help prevent and end sexual assault:- Don't blame victim-survivors who have experienced sexual assault. Blaming victim-survivors contributes to perpetuating the problem of sexual violence. Ultimately, an act of violence is the fault of the person who committed the violence - not the fault of the person to whom violence was done.
- When someone tells you, "I was raped," believe them! People rarely lie about experiencing sexual assault. Whether it's a woman, man or child who has the courage to confide in you, letting her or him know that you believe them not only helps in their healing process, it also brings the truth of this widespread problem into the light.
- Recognize the fact that men and boys are sexually assaulted, harassed and abused. Again, believing the truth of this fact brings the problem into the light, and helps in the prevention of all sexual violence.
- Call your friends on their behavior. It may not seem like a big deal, but when your buddy makes a sexual remark to someone on the street, it contributes to a culture that allows sexual violence. Let your friends know why behavior like that isn't cool.
- Be open to examining and adjusting your own behavior. Even if we would never commit an act of sexual violence ourselves, we still might say and do things that contribute to its cause. Recognizing and changing these things in ourselves is the ultimate in preventing and ending sexual assault: Being the change that we want to see in the world.
- Build and join community. There is strength in numbers. Join those committed to preventing sexual assault.
These are only a few things we can do to prevent sexual assault, abuse and harassment. To learn more, contact us for more information, or to schedule an educational presentation in your workplace, school or community group.
Additional resources:
Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence