VOICES AGAINST SEXUAL VIOLENCE

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Please take some time and read what others have to say about sexual violence and its impact.

"Put the responsibility of this horrendous act back on the person who committed it!

Accept no shame, no blame, no guilt""

"We need men standing up, educating men."

"Children and adults who have disabilities are abused more than others. Individuals with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, autism, mental illness, physical disability, and other conditions. They are vulnerable, more vulnerable than others. Their abuse goes largely unnoticed in our country and our communities. They suffer in silence., help is scarce as many treatment agencies and practitioners refuse them service by saying that "they cannot be helped" or that the individuals "does not know how to treat" such sexual violence victims. This is a cop-out. All victims can benefit from support, therapy, and help. By keeping the silence about this national "dirty little secret", millions more victims each year suffer. Why?"

"I am a survivor of sexual violence. It has only been the last few years that I have been able to come to grips with what happened to me so long ago. Growing up with a father who was a drunk and a mother who just turned a blind eye to everything, I learned early not to depend on anyone. If only one person in my community would have ASKED, growing up wouldn't have been so hard. I am truly a survivor and with the assistance of a great husband, I have learned that there are truly great MEN in the world."

"Wake up! I am tired of anti-feminist and anti-choice individuals critizing us who are trying to stop violence against women and fighting for reproductive rights. It's a societal issue!"

"Men have had a traditional role of protector of women and children, and many women rely on that traditional role to protect them. For some men to then prey on women is the ultimate betrayal. Women are sacred and the bringers of life. Men should honor that rather than be afraid or jealous of it. "

"Sexual violence won't end until awareness and education about human sexuality begins. We must offer comprehensive sexuality education, beginning early and made age appropriate, to erase the guilt, shame, sexual oppression, and sexual exploitation that is born of ignorance and ideology."

"¡Basta! Ni Una Más."

"As a survivor of sexual molestation I know what it's like to have your voice ignored. It is an honor to help another survivor tell their story."

"Watch and believe your children. Listen to your gut instincts and no matter how they beg, do NOT leave them anywhere your gut tells you isn't "right". If your child says "I don't want to go to Grandpas or Aunt Jane's", no matter how bad you need a sitter, don't leave them. Plain common sense. If MY mother had listened, and if HER mother had listened...."

"He tried, throughout my entire childhood, to extinguish my soul. He failed. The light of me grew and surrounded his darkness. He is a speck of black in my sea of light. I am strong."

"He asked me, "Does this tickle?"

I should have yelled, "NO IT DOESN'T FUCKING TICKLE!!"

Instead I just cried once he left. What else can a six year old do?

Mothers - Believe your children."

"Sexual violence is not a crime of passion. It's about power and control. Sexual violence and domestic violence is a societal issue that impacts the lives of all of us. Accountability of the perpetrator by the Criminal Justice System is crucial in helping victims of sexual violence understand that "It's not their fault". No one deserves to be abused."

"Sexual violence affects women and men. Both should be involved in stopping it. Only if we work together will we end sexual violence."

"Everyone deserves to be happy. Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness and respect. YOU, whomever you may be, are the ONE in EVERYONE!!!!"

"Only the strenght in our hearts and souls will keep us safe from the attrocities of the world. If we stand together and join our strenght we can fight these attrocities that are invading our communitiees, schools and homes. It only takes one person to stand up and say i will not let the attrocities over take me and reach out to help the person next to me to be just as strong."

"What part of No do you not understand?"

"the death of who i was, the birth of who i am"

"Sexual abuse effects never end, never! It must be stopped in our society!!!"

"I dream of a time when I turn on the television and do not see or hear that a woman or child was molested, raped, or murdered. A time for all women to be able to walk across town or campus at night by themselves without being afraid. A time where being alone in the wrong neighborhood at night or wearing something too revealing being an explanation, a valid excuse for sexual assault or rape. I dream of a time where women can spend less time worrying about what could happen to them, and more time actually living."

"No estoy sola!"

"Sexual abuse shatters one's sense of self, as it did mine during and after being molested by my step-father. People are slowly starting to see that abuse is more common than once believed, but is anyone helping people with disabilities whose risk of sexual violence is MUCH higher? ALL people deserve healing, including those with all types of disabilities, how can we reach out to them too?"

"I hope the mural would reflect the hope in healing,as an example of the ability to heal, to care for others to support others."

"Sexual Violence is like a stone thrown into a pond. It creates a nightmare for the survivor, and the rippling effect touches everyone the victim comes in contact with. "

"If I could, I would tell everyone, how, especially the youngest, are truly affected by being sexually abused for the rest of thier life, and that if you are the parent of a sexually abused child, or know someone that has been sexually abused, tell them it isnt their fault, they didnt ask for this to happen, and they are not the terrible person they think they are, they have been taken advantage of by someone who knew how to manipulate them, and to seek professional help for the child as soon as and for as long as is necessary, DONT COVER IT UP OR IGNORE IT! YOU GIVE THE SAME MESSAGE TO THE CHILD! Love them through it and make sure they know it doesnt change how you feel about them!"

"Sexual assault does not discriminate."

"We must educate the young people about sexual violence. Sometimes, the home is where the kids are receiving the message that sexual violence is acceptable so it is not something we can leave solely to parents. We all must do our part to role model acceptable behavior, combat stereotypes and educate the young. Otherwise, we will continue to live in a world where sex and violence are linked."

"We must not forget the lesbians, prisoners, gay men, heterosexual men and trans men and women who are also survivors. Everyone deserves to be safe from sexual violence even if they are not a heterosexual woman.

Women rape too! Remember the survivors of female sexual assault. Men and women who have been raped by a woman - you are not alone."

"Listen to people with disabilities. Teach them skills to protect themselves. Encourage them to say no, leave and tell someone! Everyone is a potential survivor, but those living with disabilites are at particular risk. Stop the silence. "

"Sexual violence is violence against us all. It hurts people of all ages, genders, races, abilities, and ages. I work to eliminate sexual violence so that one day I can walk home alone at night without looking over my shoulder, so that I can go out on a date and not worry about whether or not the guy will interpret what I'm wearing as an invitation for sex, so that the men in my will know that they can be truly trusted by women, so that the men in my life will know that they can be truly trusted by men. I work to end sexual violence for us all."

"Rape has been accepted into our culture through ignorance, patriarchy, and a careless disregard for the crime. Rape accounts in the media are routinely intertwined with victim blaming. Young women and girls are taught how to protect themselves, as if rape is their fault, their responsibility, whilst the education of young men and boys is all too often overlooked. Gender roles that reinforce and encourage male dominance continue to be emphasized. The media encourages sexism through a variety of ads and television shows. Violence against women continues to be a silent struggle. It’s all around us - we are living in a culture of rape. Share your voice, stand up, and join the fight… END RAPE CULTURE."

"Repect yourself, and show repect to others. Lead the world to change by example"

"I was once told that single women take over 100 different precationry measures to protect them selves from the threat of sexual violence. Women shouldnt have to live in fear... and we wont any more."

"Until we eliminate pornography, sex trafficking and prostitution women will continue to be brutilized in this society. We must value all women and hold them in high regards. We must say "no" to any business that sexualizes and promotes female brutality and hold these businesses accountable for their part in the objectification of women."

"Violence Against Women has to Stop!!!"