Feb
14
We are all Miramonte!!
Filed Under Announcement, child sexul assault, Diversity, Guest Post, Motivating Moments, Powerful Women, Prevention, Resource | By Rose Luna
The following piece written by guest blogger Laura Zárate (Co-founder and Executive Director of Arte Sana)contains a position statement written collectively by members of a national Latina cyberactivist group named ALAS. The position statment has been endorsed by agencies from Texas and across the country. This effort demonstrates a unified front working on behalf of society’s most vulnerable populations.
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The membership of the Alianza Latina en contra la Agresión Sexual (ALAS) has developed the following position statement to articulate some of the critical issues that may place other communities across the nation at risk for an incident similar to the child sexual abuse tragedy at Miramonte Elementary School. We also wish to express our solidarity with all who are currently working to help the local community heal, especially the victim advocates from the East Los Angeles Women’s Center and the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles.
On this February 14, 2012 our hearts go out to all of the victims of this horrific case who have had their sense of trust and safety shattered. We offer the following position statement in solidarity with national and local victim assistance entities, and dedicate this page to all of the voiceless residents in countless communities across this nation who live in fear: fear of retribution, fear of authority, fear of deportation, fear of the police.
A heartfelt GRACIAS to the following agencies and coalitions that showed solidarity through their endorsement:
A CALL TO MEN
Alianza por el Bienstar del Hogar (North Carolina)
Alma de Mujer Center for Social Change
Arte Sana (art heals)
Big Voice Pictures, producer of BOYS AND MEN HEALING
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA)
End Violence Against Women International
Hollaback!
Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault (INCASA)
Mamas of Color Rising Collective
La Mariposa Enterprises (Oregon)
Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW)
Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition
Moving Forward Gulf Coast, Inc.
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence (NAESV)
New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NYSCASA)
North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA)
Latinas Unidas por Un Nuevo Amanecer (L.U.N.A.)
Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Rape Victim Advocacy Program, Iowa City, Iowa
Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut
Sexual Violence Center (Minnesota)
Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA)
Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (WCSAP)
The position statement is available to download in both English and Spanish here.
The new dedicated webpage also includes Los Corazoncitos art exhibit that includes selections of art from adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and the advocates who work with them.
The position statement development and endorsement process was an urgent attempt to give voice to the broad implications of the events that took place at a particular school. The families of Miramonte Elementary School are no different from those who reside in las colonias of “el valle” in Texas, or any other state that has large or growing Latin@ communities, especially in non-metro counties. Sexual violence will continue unchecked — in all of our communities — until our messages of prevention and support reach everyone.
Working conditions and commitments prohibit us from including additional endorsements, so we ask that all agencies express their endorsement through proactive actions.
We will be adding materials in Spanish for parents, so if you would like to share a link or pdf version of a handout that might be useful please send to artesanando@yahoo.com
Thanks.
Laura E. Zárate
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One Response to “We are all Miramonte!!”
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I work with children and youth here in Costa Rica. I have been working with SeedsofHope.org and Salvandocorazones.org. We are encouraging awareness to prevent, protect, and prosecute sexual offenders here in CR. Please keep me posted on what you are doing. I would also like any material you have in Spanish. Thank you!