Search results for: trigger warning
7 Ways to Help a Teen Survivor of Sexual Assault
It’s devastating to discover that a teen you love has been a victim of sexual violence. Learn how you can compassionately support the teen survivor in your life (Trigger Warning).
Read MoreLove After Rape: Being the Partner of a Sexual Assault Survivor
When Tim learned his girlfriend, Marina, had been sexually assaulted, he saw how sex was scary for her. They decided to work through the sexual trauma from her rape together (Trigger Warning).
Read MoreDear Mr. Akin, I Want You to Imagine…
You used the expression “legitimate” rape to imply there’s “illegitimate” rape. Let me explain to you what that does to women who experience rape. It is a form of re-rape (Trigger Warning).
Read More3 Common Complaints About Political Correctness (That Completely Miss the Point)
“People are too sensitive!” You’ve probably encountered the claim that “political correctness” has gone too far – but here’s why that’s more of an excuse than a real argument.
Read MoreThis Is a Great Example of What to Do When You Learn Your Words Are Ableist
Ever been called out for hurtful language? We see this all the time – someone gets called out for using a common ableist word, and responds with dismissal. Kat Blaque has what you need to know to move past the discomfort and make a change.
Read MoreThe Truth Can Get a Little Hairy: Reflections on Body Hair, Feminism, and Trans Identity
Body hair is perfectly normal, so why do we get the message that it’s disgusting and unhygienic? The idea that people can monitor and police other people’s bodies is really messed up. Take it from this author, whose transition taught him that no one’s body fits expectations. Read about his love for his body and get inspired to love your own wild and lovely self.
Read MoreWhy We Demonize Mental Illness – And What to Do About It
How does the stigma against mental illness impact you and the rest of our society? Stigmas and silencing protect a hurtful status quo, causing the most harm against those who are most in need of support. So how can you respond? Read on to learn why we must show compassion to combat stigma – and why you have to start with showing compassion to yourself.
Read MoreFamily Violence Doesn’t Discriminate – But Biased Systems Do
(Trigger Warning: Intimate partner violence, sexual assault) Family violence affects people of all backgrounds. So don’t all survivors deserve support? With her story, one woman exposes the terrible truth about the racism and stigma aboriginal survivors face when they try to pursue safety and justice. Read her powerful story of surviving intimate partner and sexual abuse, and let’s advocate for justice for all survivors.
Read MoreI Pretended to Be a Male Gamer to Avoid Harassment
For women into online gaming, revealing the simple fact that we’re women can leave us vulnerable to harassment. Here, one woman shares how her problems went away when she played as a male character – and how one man who learned of her gender escalated his aggression to a dangerous level. Read her account of the gaming culture that made #Gamergate possible.
Read More7 Things We Need to Stop Saying to Sexual Assault Survivors Immediately
Folks in the media are notorious for saying abysmal things about survivors of sexual violence. But for most survivors, it doesn’t take a media spotlight to beget insensitive, uninformed, and downright erroneous remarks about their experiences. Unfortunately, it’s something they face every day. So here are some things we should stop saying to survivors – immediately.
Read MoreHow Rolling Stone’s Irresponsibility Hurts Rape Survivors
(Trigger warning: rape). Rolling Stone’s recent retraction of a story about campus rape was a disaster, and not for reasons you might think. Rape survivors already face way too many barriers when it comes to getting help, including the risk that they they won’t be believed. Check out this video for insight on why Rolling Stone’s handling of the situation just makes those barriers worse.
Read MoreHow Rape Has Become a Staple of American Culture
Rape songs, rape jokes, rape scenes. It’s alarming to recognize how much rape is embedded in United States culture. To change this, we have to speak up about it – which is exactly what these awe-inspiring poets did. With this spoken word piece, witness the fierce courage it takes to stand up to rape culture, call out the offending songs, and stop singing along. [Trigger Warning]
Read MoreFat People Are Not the Problem — Fatphobia Is
Kath Read is here to remind you that YOU are not the ones who are broken in this equation of dehumanization — our fatphobic society is.
Read MoreIncredible Young Poets Get Real About Growing Up in the US
Here’s the devastating truth about growing up in the US. We all know about the lessons we learn in school, but what’s missing from our history books? As these young women tell it, “The greatest lessons are the ones you don’t remember learning.” Since we don’t hear the brutal truth about injustice in history books, check out the stunning lessons in this poem.
Read MoreYes, We Should Believe Survivors: A Primer on the Neurobiology of Trauma
As feminist allies to survivors, we must believe that a survivor’s account of their sexual assault is true. Please read this article to understand why — even if we experience their account as disoriented, foggy, or even factually incorrect — we must understand that they are still telling their own deepest truth, and we must honor that. Survivors deserve our support.
Read More5 Reasons Why Feminism Needs to Address Child Abuse (While Yes, Recognizing That Women Can Be Abusive Too)
When it comes to addressing domestic abuse and working to eradicate it, feminism has played a critical role. But there’s one area of abuse that doesn’t get enough recognition in the movement: child abuse – especially child abuse committed by women. In order to address it, we need to see the abuse of children for what it is, regardless of the abuser’s gender.
Read MoreDear Feminist Men
Male allies are extremely important and valuable to the feminist movement! They use their positions of privilege to further the cause in ways that women can’t, and for that we’re grateful. That said, there are a few trends in male feminist behavior that could definitely stand to change. Watch Melissa A. Fabello give a few tongue-in-cheek reminders to male feminists.
Read MoreIn on the ‘Joke’: The Accidental Minority at the Racism Party
I have no doubt that my light skin color has helped to carry me above the realm of racial epithets, but it is both a privilege and a curse. It thrust me into a more nuanced and unsettling kind of racism, a kind where you feel guilty for accidentally being the secret Brown infiltrator in a room of whites wanting to say whites-only stuff. (Trigger Warning: Racial slurs and comments.)
Read MoreThe Trouble With Rape Jokes And 3 Tips for Surviving Them
Rape jokes are just not funny. They can be traumatizing and anyone around you may be a survivor without you knowing it. To see why these jokes continue, we need to understand how sexual violence is made insignificant and normalized, the ways we contribute to rape culture, and how to address people who make them. And most importantly, we need to take care of ourselves when it happens.
Read MoreFive Ways Rape Culture Exists Unnoticed And Goes Unchecked In Our Everyday Life
While there are many glaring examples of rape culture, there’s also a covert nature to rape culture that often goes unnoticed. We must also look beyond the overt ways in which rape apologia exists and recognize exactly how it sneaks into our everyday life. So let’s look at some pervasive and normalized parts of society that contribute to it and what you can do about it in your life.
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