This week, two important legislations that affect immigrant survivors of sexual violence will be coming to a head both nationally and in our state. They are, first, the reauthorization of VAWA (the Violence Against Women Act), and second, the enforcement of the Secure Communities Program in Massachusetts. I encourage everyone who cares about immigrant and survivor rights to take a few minutes, Google a few articles, and educate yourself about these two issues. There is a lot that could be discussed about each issue, but for now, I would like to draw your attention to three important points:

1. Although the reauthorization of VAWA has passed in the Senate, it is currently being held up in the House.  Some Representatives want to remove survivors’ rights to confidentiality when applying for a U-Visa, a visa typically sought by undocumented survivors of sexual and domestic violence. With this adjustment, in cases of domestic violence, the perpetrator could be notified and questioned about the allegations, thus putting the survivor in severe danger. As we know, many survivors of domestic violence are also survivors of sexual assault. If this measure were to pass, we can be certain that it would throw up a significant barrier for undocumented survivors to seek the aid of U-Visas and potentially other legal and social service options that are designed to help them.

2. The Secure Communities Program in Massachusetts that took effect on Tuesday, May 15th enables any police officer in the state to run the finger prints of a suspected “illegal immigrant,” with the same authority as ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement). In short, any undocumented immigrant who reaches out to law enforcement could be investigated. Many undocumented survivors are already wary to reach out to authorities, and this program will just increase their fear.  ICE has said that they will take precautions to prevent harm to victims of crime, including survivors of sexual and domestic violence.  However, advocates in the area are still concerned that the program is unnecessary; is not without risk; and will still deter survivors from seeking the help of law enforcement.

3. Undocumented, immigrant survivors are an especially vulnerable population. On top of being survivors of sexual trauma, they also have to navigate systems that are culturally and linguistically different, in addition to them often being legally and economically disadvantaged.

Thanks for making yourself aware! Remember that keeping ourselves up-to-date on new legislations and initiatives within our communities is one of the best ways we can continue to support survivors!

WRITTEN BY: Nicole, a MedAd Volunteer

References
http://iwp.legalmomentum.org/cultural-competency/dynamics-of-violence-against-immigrant-women/1%20Dynamics.pdf

http://watertown.patch.com/articles/feds-taking-steps-to-improve-secure-communities-program-743d4eb2

http://www.chicagonow.com/chicago-muckrakers/2012/05/an-undocumented-life-violence-against-women-act-a-protector-of-undocumented-victims-of-domestic-violence-held-up-in-house/

The amount of technology at our fingertips is both a blessing and a curse.  With the creation of the laptop, tablet, and Smartphone, we no longer have to be connected to an outlet to get online.  Over my lifetime, general access to the Internet has gone from nonexistent to the palm of our hand.  On the one hand, we have all this information, news, cute animal videos, research, social networking, and the ability to communicate at the blink of an eye.  We can look up anything at the drop of a hat and then share it with friends via FB, Twitter, YouTube or an assortment of other social networking websites.  We can seek or give advice anonymously, find companionship, and express our innermost thoughts in a way that could be less intimidating.

On the other hand, the amount of information on the web can be overwhelming.  It can be impossible to verify the credibility of some of the sites we utilize.  However, visiting sites like WebMD is so much simpler than calling our primary care physician or going to the emergency room.  Not to mention it can often turn symptoms such as stomach or head pain into such life-threatening conditions that we can justify staying home from work or school for the day.  Google-ing for a translation of a paragraph from English to Spanish is much easier than consulting a translator or native speaker.  However, we can’t be sure if the information we get is accurate.  While we post information and stories as a way to connect with others it can easily be stolen or used against us.  Additionally, so many recent stories of bullying have started online or incorporated an online component as the anonymity of many sites makes it easy to target someone without fear of repercussion.

Despite the potential risks, many of us continue to use online chat rooms and forums to seek the advice of others on personal situations.  One such site, Reddit, is a social news website where registered users can submit content which is then voted up or down in popularity.  Its status will determine its placement on the page.  Users are also able to comment on the postings of others with advice, recommendations, or links.  The vast majority of responses are not by experts or trained professionals.  They are people sharing opinions based in what could be valid knowledge or good intentions but could also be based in stereotypes, fear, and ignorance.

One girl, who identifies herself as a teenager in one of the comments, utilizes Reddit as a forum to seek advice about what to do after she has been raped and how to talk to her friends.  Technology allows this teen the ability to seek resources and advice anonymously on a topic that could be impossible to talk about elsewhere.  It would be wonderful if only professionals or trained and well-intentioned individuals would respond to her post.  This way she is able to learn what resources are available to her and how to reach out for support and help.  Unfortunately, this is never the case as technology allows for anyone and everyone to find and comment on her post.  And, unfortunately, the users who called her a ‘slut’, told her ‘she wasn’t raped’, or commented ‘she was going to ruin the guy’s life’ brought their friends. 

The girl was immediately attacked for posting her story and questions.  People chastised her for being 14 and using pot.  From my read of the post, she was not asking people’s opinion on whether or not she should smoke pot or what they thought of that particular behavior.   She was asking about a rape and for her to disclose that she was using drugs that night is extremely courageous because of the backlash that can and did ensue.  The use of drugs or alcohol is not an invitation for rape nor is it an excuse for the perpetrator’s behavior.  We can’t tell people that they shouldn’t drink or use drugs if they want to avoid rape or sexual assault.  If people want to avoid hangovers, the munchies, or wearing sunglasses to class then advising them not to abuse substances is appropriate advice as those are the consequences one can expect.  However, asserting that rape or sexual assault is a consequence of drinking is completely false and creates a culture where it is okay to focus on the actions of the victim rather than those of the perpetrator. 

Other users told the girl that the boy could not read her mind and therefore it was her fault for not communicating clearly enough that she does not want to have sex.  In actuality, we all say or do one thing and think another all the time.  The majority of our communication is based on gestures, posture, body language, tone, and inflection rather than the actual words coming out of our mouths.  Somehow people can understand this when it pertains to other topics but when it comes to sexual violence, it is unfathomable to consider the body language of the survivor. 

This year, I attended Marathon Monday with my partner and several other friends and was so excited to watch the Boston Marathon.  I should clarify that I am a marathon runner myself and I can literally stand and cheer other runners on for hours.  After about three hours, I noticed that my friends weren’t quite as enthusiastic as I was.  But honestly, I was having a really good time and wanted to stay so I tried to engage them in conversation in the hopes that they would forget about the heat and the seemingly endless rows of runners.  After about five hours, my friends were sitting/napping in the shade but yet said they were fine with staying.  Can I honestly say that I had no idea that they wanted to go home and get out of the heat?  Absolutely not.  I noticed a steady decline in their behavior and participation as the day went on.  I simply chose to ignore it. 

There are probably some people who will read that story and think that I was able to figure out what my friends were thinking because I’ve known them for years.  While it’s true I’ve known them for a long time, my ability to read their body language has little to do with that.  Three years ago I was on the bus going from my Disney hotel to the theme park.  Three teenagers were sitting in the back of the bus swearing excessively and talking so loudly that I could hear them at the front of the bus.  The majority of people were extremely uncomfortable on the bus, which was evident by the way they looked at each other, their body posture, and continuously glancing at their watches as if that would make the bus move faster.  When we got to the park,  I told the teens how their behavior made everyone uncomfortable and that it wasn’t appropriate for the setting.  They first rebutted that they had no idea that their language and discussion was making anyone feel uncomfortable however they did eventually apologize.  They were on the same bus and witnessed the same body language and nonverbal cues that I and everyone else saw.  Recognizing those signs had nothing to do with how well you knew the other people on the bus; I didn’t know anyone but I knew they were uncomfortable.

We are capable of reading other people, regardless of whether we have known them for 5 minutes or 5 years.  We are also capable of choosing to listen to those nonverbal cues or ignoring them.  That responsibility lies with us.  The nonverbal cues that people use everyday are the same ones they use to communicate what they want or don’t want sexually. 

It’s also important to remember that these posted responses affect more than this one teen.  In fact the responses, and others like them on various sites, can influence the thoughts and actions of multiple survivors.  Other survivors can stumble across these feeds in their attempt to define what happened to them and get help.  It is dreadful that many survivors have to sift through such hateful and derogatory comments in order to get to the caring and thoughtful posts. This girl and the other survivor deserve the proper attention, help, and resources that are available for those who are impacted by sexual violence.

Written by: Stacey

In a recent article titled “How ‘Take Back the Night’ Keeps Some Victims Silent”, Good Magazine contributor and survivor Megan Greenwell writes that Take Back the Night events tend to present narratives of "uncomplicated rape". Although this hasn’t been my experience at the Take Back the Night events I have attended (I have heard voices from survivors of incest, friends, intimate partners, and even women who have come forward about rapes that were attempted, but which they were fortunate to have fought off), I think that Greenwell raises a good point: when any single narrative dominates, others are silenced. We need more voices, not fewer rallies.

  As she astutely points out, “putting the onus on victims is backwards and dangerous.”  Part of relieving this burden entails having others -- non-survivors and allies -- hear the calls of survivors who bravely share their stories, and respond to what they have heard by working to end the systems that perpetuate this violence in our communities. Trauma stories can be healing for survivors, both for those who tell them and for those who hear them, but it’s time that we, as allies, realize that trauma narratives are for us, too.

The trauma story isn’t just about the storyteller, but the listeners as well.  You needn’t be a survivor to get involved in the movement to end sexual violence.

From the perspective of a victims’ advocate, it has also not been my experience that survivors are pressured to report to police by advocates. Our role is to be that one voice in the survivor’s life that doesn’t pressure them, that only does what they want.  I think that most advocates are 100% in support of the survivor doing what he or she feels is best.  I have always felt that even the collection of forensic evidence during a medical rape kit is a secondary concern to getting one’s health and body looked over, attended to, and cared for.

Furthermore, as advocates, I think we all know how traumatizing the process of reporting to police and going through the justice system can be. Even when everyone is doing their best, it can be traumatizing to tell ones’ story over and over again, yet another reason why allies need to heed the brave calls of survivors when they hear them.  As an advocate, I know we want the best for survivors: we want a reformed system that is less traumatizing, with more options; but, most importantly, we want empowerment for trauma survivors, which begins with validating their voice, their story, and their choice.

WRITTEN BY: Nicole, a MedAd volunteer

There is still time to register for our 7th Annual Walk for Change on April 22nd!  You can either register online (and save $5) or at Canal Park on the day of the Walk!  Registration starts at 9:30am and the walk will start at 11am! All ages are welcome and you can even bring your four-legged friends as long as they are on a leash!

If you can’t make it to our Walk, then please consider donating to one of our fabulous walkers and fundraisers.  There are a lot of different teams on the , although I must say that the the CAPS and Friends Team is the best option!  So pick any of those team members and donate!  All of the proceeds go to providing for the free services that we offer to survivors and communities. 

Here is how your donations help:
$25 helps BARCC answer two hotline calls.
$75 pays for medical accompaniment to a hospital emergency room by a trained volunteer.
$100 pays for one hour of prevention education and training in the community.
$200 supports the first three sessions of free counseling for survivors and their families.
$1,000 allows a new volunteer or intern to attend BARCC’s comprehensive training program.

People choose to walk for a variety of reasons. Some are survivors and find this experience to be incredibly rewarding, empowering, and supportive.  Others know survivors and this is a way that they choose to support and recognize those friends or family members who were directly affected.  Some walk in order to promote a healthy and violence-free society and to show to others that sexual violence should and CAN be ended.

We are excited to announce that Janet Fine, Executive Director of Massachusetts Office of Victim Assistance, will be receiving BARCC’s Beacon Award for outstanding leadership this year!  The Beacon Award is given each year to recognize outstanding leadership in responding to the needs and advancing the rights of survivors of sexual assault.   “Janet has been a steadfast advocate for all victims of violent crime, but has been an extraordinary leader in Massachusetts for children who are sexually abused,” said Gina Scaramella, ED of BARCC, said.  “It is a privilege for BARCC to be able to recognize such an inspiring and dedicated advocate.”

Throughout her career Ms. Fine has been a pioneer for many of the current best practices in caring for victims and advancing victim rights. For instance, during her tenure at MOVA, Ms. Fine founded the Victim Assistance Academy to provide a comprehensive education to newer staff in the public and private victim service arena.  In addition to her work at the helm of MOVA, Ms. Fine is on the board of the National Children’s Alliance, the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program, the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance and more. 

Help us demonstrate to the Boston community and to survivors that there are people who care and believe that it’s possible to have a society free of sexual violence.  We’ll be there rain or shine! So come out and walk with us!

Written by: Stacey

[Ed. note] A few weeks ago, there was a blog post written about the proposed law in VA requiring a transvaginal ultrasound for any woman seeking an abortion.  Before signing the law, they removed that specification.  However, that is typically the only ultrasound option for many women who are electing to have an abortion early on during their pregnancy.  So for all intents and purposes, this forced transvaginal ultrasound is still very real for the women in VA and in several other states across the nation.  This legislation motivated the following blog piece by a writer who wishes  to remain annonymous.

Trigger warning: Contains language around gynecological exams and personal experiences of childhood sexual assault.  Please practice appropriate self-care as you read and if you need any support contact our hotline (800-841-8371).

I have been working on this piece for about a month, afraid to send it in. But today, I woke up and decided to finish it, because today, I have to get a pap smear.

The reason why this is significant is because I am survivor of sexual trauma. I was not able to admit that fact to anyone until 15 years after the fact (I am still closeted to most of my friends and family, which is why this has been written anonymously). For years, I had squirmed through gynecological exams, frantically biting my lip to hold back tears, thinking it was normal, that every woman feels this way about having her vagina examined. I was 23 when I finally admitted the truth to myself, 24 when I first admitted it to somebody else: my doctor. I was scheduled for an IUD insertion and had, as usual, squirmed through the preliminary pap smear and pelvic exam. When my doctor - a man in his mid-thirties who always wore bowties - sat me down to schedule the procedure, I blurted out: "I don't think I can do this. I was assaulted when I was a kid. I can barely make it through a pelvic exam."

He must have been trained by BARCC, because his reaction to it was perfect. He thanked me for telling him, and emphasized that what I was feeling was normal. He talked me through the procedure and gave me a prescription for Ativan (an anti-anxiety medication) to take before undergoing it. And most importantly, he emphasized that if at any point I changed my mind, even if he was midway through the procedure, he would stop. On the day of the procedure, he spoke gently with me, describing each step of the process before he did it and asking me if it was okay to proceed. A nurse was in the room the whole time, holding my hand. At the end of the procedure, I burst into tears, and the nurse hugged me, shook her head when I apologized for crying, told me I was normal and went to get me tissues.

About six months later, my doctor scheduled me for a ultrasound to test for endometriosis. The procedure was held in a different office, and my doctor was not present. The technician, no doubt assuming I knew what an ultrasound was, did not prepare me or talk me through the procedure. I had only seen ultrasounds done in the movies and on my pregnant sisters, so I was in no way prepared for it when she inserted a speculum and then a large, plastic wand into my vagina. Here's what I can tell you about ultrasounds - they're not gentle. It's called a "probe" for a reason. They have to push, prod, and otherwise put a lot of pressure on the organs they're surveying. I laid back in the hospital bed and tried to hold back tears and the welling sense of panic in my chest. I closed my eyes, like Tom Coburn said, but it didn't make anything better. After it was over, I didn't tell anyone what happened. But later that week, I tried to have sex with my boyfriend, and when we were finished I started sobbing. I ran to the bathroom and vomited, my chest still heaving with sobs. My boyfriend did not know about my childhood experience. I kept saying "something bad happened to me" over and over again. Luckily, he had the foresight to call one of my best friends, who is himself also a survivor of child sexual assault. He didn't ask me what happened, because he didn't need to. He told me later that he already knew, the same way I had known he was gay before he had ever told me. He just talked me out of the crisis.

It's been two years since all of this happened. And though the support of my boyfriend and best friend have been invaluable, I can say without a doubt that without the care, kindness and professionalism of my doctor and nurses, I would not have ever had the courage to tell them, and would as such not be anywhere near where I am today - healing, and able to talk about what happened to me without doubting myself, or reliving the experience.

Which brings us to the point of this article: more and more states have been attempting, and succeeding, to pass legislation that mandate the use of ultrasounds for women seeking abortion. Since ultrasounds in the first trimester (when most women seek abortions) are all done transvaginally, there has been an outcry of "state mandated rape" from women who don't understand why they should be subjected to a physically and emotionally taxing procedure without medical necessity, because their legislators want them to. Proponents of these bills roll their eyes at what they view as a hysterical overreaction, but what is rape if not exerting power over someone by penetrating someone without their consent?

This public debate has added meaning for me, because I have a medical condition that makes it inadvisable for me to undertake a pregnancy. The prospect of abortion is scary enough. For me, it would be an agonizing decision, and I can't imagine the procedure itself would be anything but physically and emotionally torturous. But knowing that were I to ever get pregnant and make the incredibly difficult choice to terminate it, I would be rewarded with an unnecessary and unconsensual invasive procedure? It is hard enough for me to get a completely consensual and necessary pap smear. It is neither right nor fair to shame me for getting an abortion by forcing me to undergo an unnecessary transvaginal ultrasound in addition. Nor is it right or fair to my doctor, doctor who shepherded me through one of the scariest experiences I have ever had - disclosing my sexual assault for the first time. Just as the state does not have the right to mandate my unconsensual penetration (i.e. the definition of rape in almost every state law), it also does not have the right to make my doctor a rapist. It does not have the right to remove the trust he has established with me. I encourage you all to read this post by a doctor who feels the same way.

"When the community has failed a patient by voting an ideologue into office...When the ideologue has failed the patient by writing legislation in his own interest instead of in the patient's...When the legislative system has failed the patient by allowing the legislation to be considered...When the government has failed the patient by allowing something like this to be signed into law...We as physicians cannot and must not fail our patients by ducking our heads and meekly doing what we're told. Because we are their last line of defense."

There's a reason these laws are being called state-sanctioned rape. It's because that's what they are. But it's not enough for me to say so. Doctors have to say so too. Part of standing up against rape in the community is standing against it in all forms. I'm asking you to stand with me, and other patients like me, and doctors who don't want to be put in the position of having to violate their own patients. Because we are all the last line of defense against rape, whether state-mandated or otherwise, and we must not fail each other.

Written by: Annonymous