20 Things You Can Do to Help End Sexual Assault
20 Things You Can Do To Help End Sexual Assault
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1.
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Become educated about the problem of sexual assault and its consequences.
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2.
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Speak out against attitudes and behaviors that contribute to a culture where violence against women is condoned and often encouraged.
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3.
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Men: Mentor and teach young boys about how to be men in ways that don’t involve degrading or abusing girls and women.
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Surveys show that most men who commit violent acts are supported in their attitudes and behaviors by some of the men close to them. As such, men are in a position to support, or challenge, other men’s pro-violence attitudes and behaviors. Do not let your silence infer permission.
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Encourage young people to use non-violent means to resolve conflict and learn strategies of cooperation and collaboration.
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Believe and support victims of sexual assault. Show survivors that you hold offenders, not victims, accountable for their crime.
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There are no innocent bystanders. Speak up and challenge those who would commit acts of sexual violence.
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8.
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Support organizations in your community that provide services to sexual assault victims.
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Teach healthy relationships. Teach that no means no.
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10.
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Dispel the myths surrounding sexual assault that put the burden of responsibility on the victim and excuses the offender.
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Challenge gender roles that place girls and women at risk.
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Support harsh penalties for perpetrators of all sexual assault crimes.
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Invite your local rape crisis center representative to make a presentation to your group, school or organization.
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Instill the values of dignity and respect for all people and cultures.
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Support legislation that promotes and protects the rights of all women to live free from fear of personal violence, i.e. sex trafficking, pornography, stalking, sexual solicitation of minors, sexual harassment.
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Parent: Take responsibility to talk to your children about sex and healthy relationships, be aware of the negative influences in our culture (music, radio/tv, movies, internet) that tend to demean or devalue women and girls and take steps to counter.
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Recognize and speak out against media that creates a toxic cultural environment in which sexual violence is encouraged, i.e. advertisements that glorify and encourage the objectification of women. “Turning a human being into a thing is the first step towards committing violence against that person,” Dr. Jean Kilbourne.
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Make sure your institution, organization or business has policies, practices and procedures relating to sexual harassment. For example, a lack of policies in the workplace can send a message that sexual harassment is tolerated, and that there may be few or no consequences for those who harass others.
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Violence against women is a choice. Hold those who make that choice accountable.
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20.
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Teach risk-reduction to girls and women, while realizing that the burden of responsibility for a person’s actions rest upon the shoulders of the person making the choice whether or not to commit a crime.
Remember, non-consensual sexual activity is sexual assault and is a crime, no matter what the circumstances. ACASA ~ ARKANSAS COALITION AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT The above article was taken in its entirety from the ACASA website at http://www.acasa.ws/20_things.html. |