Blog
Breaking the silence on sexual violence
This is the story of how one school in southwestern New Mexico changed their culture Flor Gonzalez was in tears after being kicked out of the principal’s office in a rural school in southwestern New Mexico in 2015. She wasn’t a student, she was an adult...
8 Ways Preschools are Preventing Sexual Abuse
Every parent wants their child to be safe from adults who might harm them, and yet it’s a difficult subject to think about and discuss. Popular approaches include talking about “stranger danger” and “tricky people,” but these strategies usually don’t work to protect...
Why words matter when we name violence
Trigger Warning: This blog contains discussion of sexual assault of adults and children. It can be uncomfortable to talk so directly about sexual assault. Some people and news outlets might soften the truth by using words that deflect or minimize violence. The words...
How Can We Talk about Sexual Violence in the Classroom in a Trauma-Informed Way?
To prevent sexual violence, we must talk about sexual violence. Sexual violence is rampant in our society and is often a traumatic event for the survivor. So, how can we talk about sexual violence in a trauma-informed way? How can we lessen the harm of the...
Rad Social Media Campaigns for Changing Culture about Sexual Assault
Fill your social media feeds with original inspiration and information (in no particular order). Love is Respect https://www.instagram.com/loveisrespectofficial/ https://twitter.com/loveisrespect...
The Truth about False Reporting
Whenever a high-profile case comes out about sexual assault, harassment, or rape, someone throws around the possibility that the survivor is lying about their experience. This has been a very predictable pattern since the #metoo movement brought so many survivor...
Does Your School’s Dress Code Reinforce Rape Culture?
Dress codes enforce a set of values through the regulation of permitted items of clothing. Students want to express themselves and have autonomy in their bodies, and schools create rules about what clothing is appropriate to wear at school. The gray area is in words...
What Counts as Sexual Violence?
Rape doesn’t just happen out of nowhere. When you peel back the story behind a violent crime, you will find many other types of violence that were permitted or even encouraged. This is known as the spectrum of violence. The culture that permits and encourages sexual...
When We Are Deeply Connected to People, We Are Much Less Likely to Cause Harm
When we are deeply connected to people, we are much less likely to cause harm.” Rachel Cox, Clinical Director of Community Against Violence (CAV) says of their framework for preventing violence on individual, community, and structural levels. CAV has been serving North Central New Mexico in domestic violence and sexual assault services and programs for 42 years. Seven years ago, the organization went through a radical transformation as they considered how their organizational structure could create more equitable power dynamics. This is their story of shifting their practice of supervision and eliminating the rules of their shelter.
How Justin Baldoni is Redefining Masculinity
Justin Baldoni is the actor that plays the heartthrob in the TV series, Jane the Virgin. He’s speaking out to men about masculinity, and he’s being vulnerable. Here is what Justin is doing to change his version of masculinity.
What Does It Mean to be a Good Ally?
What does it mean to be a good ally? First of all, let’s define ally. This is a term used to describe someone who is supportive of people who experience something negative or traumatic. An example of an ally is someone who supports someone else who has experienced...
5 Ways to Make Talking about Sex (and Consent) Less Awkward
Talking about sex may be awkward. It may be awkward because sex is taboo to talk about in our culture. Americans have shame around bodies and sexuality, so talking openly about sex and sexuality may bring up feelings of awkwardness. Many adults are afraid or...
Survivors of Larry Nassar Demand Changes to Institutions to Prevent Violence
330 survivors of child sexual abuse, at the hands of Dr. Larry Nassar, a doctor convicted of sexually abusing his gymnastics patients starting in 1997 and continuing to 2018, came forward to break the silence. Because of their bravery in coming forward to...
20 Questions to Explore with your Partner Before Sex
Conversations about sex and sexuality are an important way to build trust and understanding that may help prevent sexual harm. If you are thinking of starting a sexual relationship with someone, make some space to discuss how you both feel about sex, your bodies, and...
How to Help Your Friends Talk About Boundaries
Luckily and sadly we are currently living in the #metoo era. Luckily because, finally, people are talking about consent and boundaries. Sadly because there are so many people that don’t know about their own boundaries and how to ask about and respect the boundaries of...
How Can a School Prevent Sexual Violence?
The school environment can encourage certain behaviors and discourage others. Here are some ways to alter the school environment to reduce behaviors that may develop into violence. Hang posters that promote consent and sexual violence prevention. Students spend many...