May
31
Extraordinary Dedication to Survivor of Sexual Assault: 18 years and counting
Filed Under Diversity, Motivating Moments, Powerful Women, Vlog | By Rose Luna | Leave a Comment
Congratulations to Oralia Jaure of the Family Crisis Center in Harlingen, Texas, for 18 years of service to survivors and the community. Listen as Oralia shares valuable insights 18 years of serving victims brings.
May
31
“Silsbee Cheerleader” update and ways to help
Filed Under News | By | 2 Comments
Here is an excellent blog post that offers new details on the case of Hillaire (pronounced Hillary), a cheerleader in Silsbee, Texas, who was kicked off the squad after refusing to cheer “two, four, six, eight, ten, come on Rakheem, put it in” for her rapist: http://msmagazine.com/blog/blog/2011/05/27/a-cheerleaders-rape-in-a-small-texas-town/
A petition was also established to:
Tell Silsbee officials that this is no way to treat rape victims, and insist that they publicly issue an apology to H.S. immediately. Furthermore, tell them to instate a policy outlining appropriate treatment of sexual assault survivors, which does not put the onus on the victim to ensure smooth interactions at the school, and to instate prevention programs that have been suggested by H.S.’s father.
Update: H.S.’s family lost a First Amendment lawsuit, with the court deciding that cheerleaders are only a “mouthpiece” for their schools, with no right to refuse their to cheer their rapists. The court further declared the lawsuit “frivolous” and has ordered the family to pay more than $35,000 in legal fees. For the school to take money from a rape victim over their clear misconduct — even if it’s not for free speech reasons — is beyond the pale. Demand that Silsbee refuse to take money from the victim’s family.
If you haven’t done so already, please sign the petition today!
Additionally, if you’d like to contribute financially, a State Bar IOLTA Trust Account at Bank of Texas has been established to receive donations for Hillaire and her parents for court assessed costs, her legal fees and expenses.
Contributions can be sent to:
Watts Associates
IOLTA Routing Number 111014325
Account No. 2902216304.
May
18
While the recent headlines detailing both a hotel maid’s account and past allegations of sexual assault by IMF Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn came as a shock to some, for those who work with victims of sexual assault – and victims of workplace sexual violence in particular – these facts are nothing new. Sexual violence in the workplace is an all too common occurrence. It happens with alarming regularity across our country and is perpetrated by employers, supervisors, co-workers and third parties, such as hotel guests and other business clientele. Many victims are met with skepticism, blatant indifference, or with a myriad of victim-blaming excuses or accusations. Abuse of power in the workplace can manifest itself through cheating shareholders, harassing subordinates, and yes, sometimes by sexually violating someone with less power. In fact, tragically, far too often women who clean hotel rooms fall victim to sexual violence in the very rooms that they are paid to clean, just like the woman, an immigrant from Africa, who has reported Strauss-Kahn for sexual assault. Immigrant women are especially vulnerable to such abuses of power, whether working in hotels, agriculture, factories, homes or offices. Because they are immigrants and may have limited English language proficiency, fear of law enforcement, and are often isolated, few of these victims ever report the crimes that they suffer to law enforcement.
If we want to end sexual violence we must assure that weak or nonexistent sanctions are not the norm. Law enforcement officials must be willing to believe victims when they make a report. We commend the New York City Police Department’s swift and diligent response in this case. Sadly, the NYPD’s response is all too often not the typical response of a law enforcement agency. Victims of sexual violence must have information about and access to existing civil and criminal legal remedies so that they may have the opportunity to seek justice for what they have suffered.
We must also hold the media accountable for their reliance on innuendo and salacious details in lieu of objective journalism. Finally, we must confront the thinly-veiled smear campaigns of reported victims at the same time we rush to the defense of the accused.
Constant speculation about the motives of those who report these devastating crimes is damaging to the victims in those cases, to anyone who ever finds themselves in a similar position, and to our social understanding of and response to sexual violence as a whole. It is no wonder that the reporting rate for sexual assault is so dismally low.
Unfortunately, Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s recent arrest has brought out the typical responses we’ve come to expect when a wealthy or high-profile man is accused of such a crime. We hear things like, “Why would a successful, powerful, and rich man NEED to rape anyone? He could have almost any woman he chose, or at the very least he could pay for the services of someone.” This logic seems to conveniently and consistently miss the point: Sexual violence is about dominance and abuse of power.
Why is it easier to believe in the intrinsic dishonesty, vindictiveness, and opportunistic nature of alleged rape victims than to believe in a sense of entitlement, and lack of respect and judgment among alleged rapists? In the Strauss-Kahn scenario some are even willing to accept an elaborate conspiracy theory (that this was a set-up by supporters of French President Sarkozy) rather than embrace the possibility that a self-professed womanizer with a documented history of sexual coercion, exploitation and – according to recent reports – prior sexual assaults could possibly attack a woman with very little power or status.
Mr. Dominique Strauss-Kahn deserves the presumption of innocence afforded to all alleged criminals in this country. We long for the day, however, when we show equal restraint before labeling alleged victims as liars and swindlers. So yes, we are willing to suspend judgment on Dominique Strauss-Kahn’s guilt or innocence. By the same token, we are willing to look at the mounting number of accounts from women who speak of their own exploitation or abuse by Strauss-Kahn over the years. We hope the truth prevails and the public can stop being influenced by the far too common knee jerk reaction that disbelieves victims before the case proceeds.
Signatories:
CounterQuo
The National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
Legal Momentum
Victim Rights Law Center
National Sexual Violence Resource Center
The Voices and Faces Project
End Violence Against Women International
Rape Victim Advocates
Oregon Sexual Assault Task Force
Catharsis Productions
Hollywood NOW
Women in Media and News
Women, Action & the Media
Women’s Media Center
Leslie Thomas, ART WORKS Projects
Anne Munch Consulting
The Feminist Wire
Monica Ramirez
Mia Goldman
Chaitra Shenoy
Gillian Chadwick
Erin Scheick
Roseline Guest
For more information, please contact: Terri Poore, National Alliance to End Sexual Violence.
May
10
Impersonal Intimacy?
Filed Under Powerful Women, Resource | By Rose Luna | Leave a Comment
U.S. contemporary society has undergone many changes in recent years due to technology. The use of technology has streamlined workloads, condensed geographical locations with the use of webcams and has made efficient our professional and personal lives, including the search for “the one.” According to the Dating Journal.com, U.S. Census numbers suggest 44% of American adults are single, 40% have tried online dating AND more than 120,000 marriages a year occur as a result of online dating in the U.S.
With less than 5% of single adults in America searching for love organically, risks and opportunities exist for both businesses and the community at large. Not only has online dating altered the landscape of meeting potential life partners, it also provides lucrative business opportunities. The U.S. online dating market is expected to reach $932 billion this year alone. Skeptics maintain electronic and/or internet communications lack intimacy and may provide a false sense of hope and security. Does this online dating phenomenon intersect our work with survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence?