Search results for: intimate partner violence
The Critical Difference Between Consent and Silence
Just what does consent mean? In just a few words, this short poem cuts quick and deep to the true meaning of consent. Her words are chilling and unforgettable.
Read MoreBefore Anyone Messes With Her Family, She Has This to Say About Homophobia
You may be speechless after this heart-wrenching poem, but you’ll be glad this poet found her words. What’s it like when someone devalues your family in the name of family values? Find out as one woman tackles homophobia, shame, and a culture of violence to stand up for her future children and her right to love. (Trigger Warning)
Read MoreThese Poets Declare Exactly What’s Wrong with Rape Jokes
Rape jokes, false sympathy, hashtags like #NotAllMen: These are hurting survivors. So if you’re sick of rape jokes or wonder why other people are, catch a prize-winning slam piece from these young Brave New Poets.
Read More6 Things You Might Not Think Are Harassment, But Definitely Are
Many people have no idea what does and does not constitute harassment. Here’s the thing: in our society, men are taught to feel sexually entitled to women. So many men who approach women in public spaces feel they “should” respond positively to their overtures – and then get upset at them when they don’t. Here’s some concrete examples of how this shows up.
Read MoreThere’s a Rape Epidemic in America That No One Is Talking About: Debunking 4 Myths About Male Survivors
Due to patriarchy, our society does not want to acknowledge the frequency and impact of sexual violence directed at boys and men. Because of the misogynist socialization of masculinity, boys are taught to embrace and celebrate their abuse. This leads to years of silent trauma for too many men. Let’s debunk some of these harmful stereotypes and inaccurate myths.
Read MoreCat Calling: The Difference Between How Perpetrators Versus Targeted People Experience It
In this humorous video, W. Kamau Bell juxtaposes the perspectives of people who experience cat-calling with those who perpetuate it. The victimizers argue that it is a compliment and makes the people they harm feel better about themselves. Those who are victimized tell a completely different story — one of frustration, exhaustion, violation, and terror.
Read MoreWorkplace Sexual Harassment: What To Do When Your Co-Worker Won’t Stop
While Human Resources departments are supposed to address sexual harassment at work, they sometimes don’t do enough. Consequently, it’s not always a helpful resource for those who need support. Read this article for tips on using direct communication to interrupt this sort of microaggression when it’s happening to you in the workplace.
Read MoreDo Women’s Reasons for Having Abortions Matter? No…and Yes, and Here’s Why
We in the pro-choice community and reproductive justice movement should stop being placated by rape and incest exceptions. Anyone should be able to access abortion — which is healthcare — at any time for any reason. No one should be questioned or examined or scrutinized in order to have a routine medical procedure.
Read MoreAffirmative Consent Laws, Explained in One Simple Video
Recently, California passed the “Yes Means Yes” law, which dictates that “an affirmative, unambiguous and conscious decision” must be reached by everyone involved to engage in sexual activity. This was a huge step in the fight against rape culture! What does this decision mean in terms of our society’s view of sex and consent? Check out this video to find out!
Read MoreStreet Harassment Is an LGBTQIA+ Issue, Too
We talk a lot about street harassment as an issue affecting women. But there’s another group that is disproportionately targeted for this kind of violence, only we don’t talk about them nearly as much. Here to fix that is Kat Lazo. Watch Kat take to the streets of NYC and discuss street harassment and other forms of violence with members of the queer community.
Read MoreThe Who, What, and Where of Workplace Sexual Harassment
They say that knowledge is power. So in order to begin to reclaim power over a problem, we must first understand it. And the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace is a pervasive problem that we definitely need to eradicate. This infographic provides the first important tools to addressing this serious issue. Find out who gets harassed, who harasses, and more.
Read MoreHow to Tell If Your Child Is Bullying Others (And What to Do About It)
Most parents don’t want to believe that their child is capable of doing anything wrong — especially bullying others. But the truth is, this denial is only making the problem worse. Parents and guardians are the ones who have to face the reality of bullying, and take charge against it. Here are some helpful tips on how to begin this difficult process.
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 More4 More Things Adults Can Do to Address Child Victimization
We can lay the groundwork for the children we love for good health and truly empowered living. Here, we look those aspects of protecting children that are slightly beyond the basics: the more subtle, on-going interactions that strengthen our children, influence their decision making, impact their safety, and, hopefully, contribute to a safer and saner society.
Read More4 Reasons Why Men Joke About Gay Rape
As a gay feminist, I’ve had to tell many the straight boy, “Those jokes make me feel uncomfortable. Please stop.” The percussive nature of gay rape jokes can certainly get a laugh, but they also speak to some of our societal attitudes regarding rape and queer sexuality. Here are some answers to the question, “Why do people think gay rape jokes are okay?”
Read MoreOn Parenting and Rape Culture
As a feminist, an activist, a parent of two boys, and a sexual health educator, I struggle with how to balance my sensibilities with my parenting style. And an issue that I am very connected to is rape culture. How does a parent compete with the constant assault of stereotypes and overwhelming sex-negative messaging in the media? Here are a few suggestions.
Read More6 Ways Parents Can Address Bullying
If you’re a parent of a school-aged child, it’s likely that you’ve been affected by bullying. With approximately 30% of students reporting being bullied and far more being peripherally affected or even traumatized by bullying, it’s a weighing concern on parents’ minds. That’s why I wanted to offer a quick read for parents who are concerned about it.
Read MoreA Call to Men
(Trigger warning: Rape) Check out this TED Talk by activist Tony Porter about how the expectations of masculinity and restrictive gender roles lead to disrespect of and violence against women. He shares powerful stories from different points in his life and encourages men to act outside of the narrow box that society places them in.
Read MoreThe Latest War on Women: Online Harassment
The Internet is very much a public space – with all of the same sexism, racism, homophobia, and transphobia of our streets, but often, much worse. Women are the targets of a lot of this ugliness. Not unlike street harassment in the way we feel its hovering, ominous presence and the way it can control our actions — or at least try to — online harassment is an issue to be taken seriously.
Read MoreA Problem of Power: Ending Bullying in Schools
Far too often, young people tear each other down and target one another for sustained violence, harassment, or neglect in order to feel more powerful, particularly when the person exhibiting bullying behavior is feeling powerless. But if we want to end the problem, we have to do the tough work of changing culture and climate. It’s time we change how we talk about bullying.
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