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March is Women’s History Month, and this year we know March will be full of moments of reflection, celebration, and reminders of the work that still needs to be done.
We want to acknowledge the role so many women have played in their communities over the past year and shine a light on our community partners who are serving survivors of sexual violence and working to prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault in their communities.
Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) in Kansas City, MO
Middle Way House in Bloomington, IN
Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault and Human Trafficking in Indianapolis, IN
Centre Safe in State College, PA
Sexual Trauma Awareness and Response (STAR) in Baton Rouge, LA
For nearly 35 years, the anti-rape movement and many of our community partners have worked to combat misconceptions about sexual assault, stereotypes about perpetrators, and prejudice toward victims.
In the early days, the anti-rape movement sponsored speak-outs, hosted forums, and distributed fact sheets correcting myths, and shifting the blame to where it belonged: the perpetrator. The anti-rape movement listened as survivors’ shared their experiences of sexual violence. (Resource Sharing Project)
The goals of the anti-rape movement have changed very little in the past 35 years. As early as the 1970s, rape crisis workers established 24-hour crisis lines, provided survivors counseling, and implemented prevention education programs. That work continues today at rape crisis centers across the country.
There are easy ways to get involved in Women’s History Month this March. You can spend time learning the history of women’s rights in America, write a note to a woman who inspires you, and support women-led businesses and organizations like the SAFE Bar Network.
The SAFE Bar Network is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) you can join the team by donating your time, talent, and money to the mission of giving everyone a SAFE Night Out, just click here.
To learn more about joining the SAFE Bar Network contact us at safebarnetwork@gmail.com
There are everyday active bystanders practicing the skills to keep people safe every day. Watch their stories here, Everyday Active Bystanders.
To learn more about active bystander skills check out our blog post, Obstacles. What obstacles? 3 Full Proof Everyday Active Bystander Skills.
Interested in learning more about bystander intervention? Visit our friends at With Us Center for Bystander Intervention.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual harassment our partners can help. Visit MOCSA.org and RAINN.org
To learn more about the field of violence response and prevention visit PreventConnect.org and NSVRC.org