Mural

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.

"I am a victim of 10 years of sexual abuse - wait, let me say that again - I am a SURVIVOR of sexual abuse. I know the pain that is causes and the complete devestation. I also know the hope that comes through healing.

One of the things in my life that has been very hard for me to overcome was when I finally came out and spoke the truth to my family about what had happened to me growing up, many of extended relatives said that they always wondered if I was being abused but didn't want to say anything if they were incorrect. That hurt greatly for they could have helped save me a long time ago. So I just want to encourage everyone out there to speak up for those people like me who had no voice. It is better to say something if you think someone is being sexually abused and be wrong, then to be right and not say anything at all. You can make a difference. Be a voice for those who've lost theirs."

"Imagine a world that is safe and free and respectful to all...what can we all do together to make it so? "

"Everyone needs to stand AGAINST ABUSE... everyone who knows and did not do anything about abuse is responsible for the abuse of a person or child. If everyone stands up for one person/child there would be millions of people/children who would never be abused...

SPEAK UP! IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABUSED OR KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO IS BEING ABUSED, SPEAK UP NOW... before it is too late... lets all stand together and end sexual and domestic violence."

"As long as men have the idea that women are put on this earth as a lower lifeform than themselves then violence against women will never change. I have noticed many times that even the cartoons children watch support a male dominated way of thinking. We need to change the thought processes of our youth. Men can not exist without women! Therefore, real women need to be treated as an endangered species. There are too many women who use their sexuality to make money and demean themselves and fellow women in the eyes of men. Equal rights for women fell short of their goals. Men do not consider women their equal and we are fighting a losing battle until they do. As long as there are TV shows and video games that portray men as a dominant species talking down to the feminine character it will be hard to change that childs mind about women later on. The seed is planted early as to how a man treats a woman. "

"Ignorance is dangerous. Indifference is death. I will never hesitate to educate and motivate others to act until sexual violence ends. I am a survivor of child sexual abuse."

"MYTH: Rapists are strangers who jump out of dark alleys and attack young girls in short skirts at night.

FACT: 85% of survivors know their perpetrator.

Trust your gut! No one has the right to cross your personal boundaries.

Together, we can end sexual violence!"

"zoro tolerance communities coming together and demanding not here not anyone. WE still have the mentality of "they were asking for it" or "it was not that bad" We as a culture have become verbally PC but our true attitudes and belief show in our laws, and our response to victims.

There are so many hidden victims maybe they have criminal pasts, maybe they are addicted, maybe they are elderly or have adisability. The community needs to be their voice--not here no one

If any one is unsafe in tis community we are all undafe"

"The response to Rape is not an OUCH, it is a primal scream for survival.

Unfortunately many have chosen not to listen!"

"RAPE feeds on a conspiracy of silence. Those of us who can, must speak for the thousands who cannot. Speak out agaist sexual violence and break the silence!"

"Remember, we all can prevent sexual violence- by loving and respecting others and ourselves. We can also prevent it by speaking out and standing up for those who are not able to stand for themselves. Everyone deserves to feel safe, and we must work to create that safety in our daily lives, our cultures, and our world. Each one of us is valuable and special!"

"I hate not being able to smile at you. I hate having to not see you as a person. But things being what they are, if you are a man and I am alone, you are a threat. And it's dangerous to not be prepared because violence is always emminent."

"Our society needs to address the lack of response to sexual violence in our communities. Judgment placed on the survivor, not believing our most vulnerable survivor's; our children. As a community we need to speak out for a violence free society for all of its members."

"You can go on. You must go on, to show the ones who come after you the power of the spirit. "

"In honor of all our mothers, daughters, sisters, nieces who have been sexually assaulted -- You have a right to your own body. No one has the right to touch you in ways you have not freely chosen. In hope for all our fathers, sons, brothers and nephews -- respect the women in your lives and all women. Honor their "no's". See them for who they are -- persons of value and integrity. Together we can prevent sexual violence."

"Believe and do not blame the victims."

"So much silent suffering and yet so much visible pain. Sexual violence incorporated into our beings and brought into our living rooms. Imagine an image that resonated in our eyes that was free from sexual violence; Imagine our minds being free from violence. Imagine."

"Sovereign women strengthen sovereign indigenous nations"

"Women are not the ones that can put a stop to sexual violence. We spread the message, bring it out in the open and provide intervention after the fact. To stop sexual violence REAL MEN need to step up to the plate. They need to let other males know that Sexual Violence in not acceptable and REAL MEN know that "NO MEANS NO"!"

"Just stop touching the kids already. How complicated is it? KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF THE KIDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

"To explain the feeling that aches so very deep inside and all throughout is terrifying, ugly and controlling. These feelings of a survivor mimic the way our society feels about sexual violence. Why are we not more aware, why do people continue to ignore that it does exist? When will people as a whole aknowledge sexual violence for what it is including the reality of the incidences reported and not reported? Until that happens we are at a stand still. We must stand together and demand awareness."

"No matter how young or old, sexual violence can take all the good out of ones life. Sexual assault will hold you under until you can no longer breath. Thats when we need to come up for a breath of fresh air and ask someone to help, help me see the good left in life. When we ask for help we are not only helping ourselves, but we are encouraging other victims to seek help and start receiving the good in life that we all deserve. Remember, that sexual assault was just one step in your life, there are many more steps in front of you to climb. Don't stop now!"

"education, awareness, and above all, a respect for all life. these are ideas that we need to foster in order to end the cycle of sexual violence."

"We hear Voices asking us. "Why did you let it happen to you? What did you do, or what were you wearing?" Instead we should be hearing it's not your fault. Why did he do it? Who gave him the right to hurt you and turn your life upside down."

"Wake up men! We do the damage, we can undo the pain! We are the cause and we can be the cure. We are the problem, let us be the solution!

Compadres! Si podemos curar la problema de la violencia sexual. Somos la solucion! "

"Sexual violence tears at the soul. It darkens the mind and places a veil over everything that it's victim sees. There is relief but never an excape from it's impact. It must be stopped. "

"Watch who you trust, never be out alone anywhere after dark, always be in before dark and lock the doors,don't just trust any ole person be careful who you talk to or end up having out with. don't accept drinks from anyone. watch your drink at all times. keep it near you don't let it sit and walk away. never go anywhere alone always have somebody with you. and remember it is never your fault."

"To all my sisters who share in the pain, shame, and survival of sexual violance. We are the ones who will be most effective in preventing sexuaul violance form occouring again. We all share the same anger and frustration, and if we use it effectivly, we can end sexuaul violance forever. This is a long, hard battle, but it can be won!!! If we band together, our power will be strong, and our voices loud! If we look at what Martin Luther King Jr. did, and what MADD has done, by organizing marches and protests, we can take heed of their wisdom and do the same. NEVER let yourself wallow in pity, or be swallowed up by your anger and fear, USE IT! Write your congress men, write the president, start groups in your area, and encourage others to start groups in theirs. Then, we can band together to end the terrorisim of sexuaul voilence."

"THE MORE YOU HOLD INSIDE, THE HARDER IT IS TO HEAL. KNOW THAT YOUR ATTACKER MADE YOU THE VICTIM, BUT ONLY YOU CAN MAKE YOURSELF A SURVIVOR!"