Few issues affect our culture more than those of sexual violence, and that does not mean exclusively women. Everyone is at risk, and the Center for Women & Gender wants you to be aware and active!
April is Sexual Violence Awareness month in the US, and the Burlington area of Vermont has been alive with activity, from the Dismantling Rape Culture Conference at UVM to the Take Back the Night rally in town.
The Gender Center has been tabling outside in the lawn in front of the Chapel with fellow gender groups RU12? (LGBT community group) and H.O.P.E. Works (sexual violence crisis group).
As I type this, I'm sitting with Julia who runs the Center for Women and Gender. We are maintaining the table so that passing students can stop and get information about resources and support. "I'm looking forward to doing more sexual violence prevention education," says Julia, who in the past year has helped bring the Center to the forefront of activism and support on campus.
Messages from survivors of sexual violence are written on shirts hung on lines strung between trees.
"I love and support you. I am here 4 you"
"When I go jogging, I shouldn't have to run for my life"
"Remember it is not your fault. You are not alone. You are not bad."
This post may seem more of a downer than most, but as I sit here I am acutely aware that the unspoken crimes happen everywhere--on our campus and on every campuses, as well as in the "real world." The message of these groups is one of support, but also one that suggests perhaps the debate is somewhat misguided. Perhaps, we should focus less on telling potential victims how to be more careful, and focus more on teaching potential victimizers that what they do causes irreparable harm. Instead of sending your child out at night with a whistle, you should send them out with the wisdom that no sexual crime is worth committing.
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