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/

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

  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

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

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

Yes Means Yes
Many people have heard of the book by Jaclyn Friedman and Jessica Valenti.  The book has moved into the blogosphere with regular postings each month about a variety of different topics.  The posts regularly tie in aspects of rape culture and stereotypes into recent news stories and global events.  It can read a bit academic at some points and definitely takes a very feminist perspective.

Incite!
This blog focuses specifically on how violence affects women of color.  While all posts may not focus on sexual assault specifically, they all deal with how instrumental violence affects the world and safety of women of color.  Incite! has also published several books based on their grass-roots activist work.

A Rape Survivors Blog
This blog is written by a rape survivor and focuses on the struggles she has and also the triumphs.  Each post deals with a specific daily incident and how it affected her.  Writing is used by a lot of survivors to process through their reactions, feelings, and progress on the road to recovery.  By making hers public, this blogger shows to a variety of survivors that many of these reactions and feelings are similar despite how unique each survivor is.  Sometimes it can be helpful to know that someone else is having the same struggle and has made it through.

Ms. Magazine Blog
Ms. gathers all their op-eds about sexual assault in a single place.  There are a number of contributors and as a result the topics vary widely as well.  The frequency of posts depends on when people write about sexual assault, as opposed to other feminist topics.  Therefore, there can be several new additions each day or it could remain silent for weeks.  Many topics respond to current events or to other op-eds that are either positively or negatively representing rape culture.

The Curvature
This blog is written by Cara Kulwicki, who is also an editor at the Feministe.com website.  Posts are semi-regular and readers can expect at least one per month.  Topics range widely and usually are inspired by recent news articles.  She is good at labeling what each post is about and putting appropriate trigger warnings, which can help readers decide whether to continue further with a post or not. 

Boston Hollaback
Boston Hollaback recently launched in December 2011.  This is a collection of experiences of street harassment, how each individual poster responded to the incident, how they may have wanted to respond, and how it could still be affecting them.  This blog serves as proof that many women and LGBT members experience street harassment and that it can serve to make public spaces as very unsafe for many of us.  The site also has tips on how to handle street harassers and different resources that exist within the Boston area.

If you read any other blogs on a regular basis that discusses sexual violence well, please feel free to add the links in the comments section.

Written by: Stacey

BARCC is hosting the Clothesline Display in the South Station Atrium on April 3rd from 6:00am to 7:30pm.  The Clothesline Display contains many t-shirts that have been designed by sexual assault survivors and their loved ones.  They contain messages about how the assault affected them, how they’ve coped, messages to the person who assaulted them, and others.  This display is a great visual representation of how many people are impacted by sexual violence and that there is a ripple effect that extends to their family and community.  There will be staff and volunteers available the entire day to answer any questions about the history of the Clothesline Project or the different resources that we offer.  Our lavender products will also be on sale at South Station, and make excellent gifts for Easter or Mother’s Day!  All of our lavender products are made by Sunny Window, a woman-owned company. Products include eye pillows, dryer bags, small and large pillows for your living room, soaps, tea, and gift sets.  All proceeds benefit the services that BARCC offers for free, such as our Hotline, Medical Accompaniment, Prevention Services, and Legal Advocacy to name a few.

BARCC is also having our annual Walk for Change on Sunday, April 22nd this year.  It will start and end at Canal Park while following a path along the Charles River.  All are invited (dogs included!) to register as a walker, the fee is only $25 for an adult, which includes a fabulous walk t-shirt.  Of course it would be more fun to share this experience with friends, family, neighbors, or colleagues! You can form you own Walk Team and if you have more than 20 people, then there’s a discount on the registration fee!  One of the greatest things about this Walk is the number of people that come together from various backgrounds.  However, during the Walk, we are all united by the drive and belief that sexual violence has no place in our communities and that we are willing to stand next to and support those who it effects.  Last year, there were over 1,500 walkers!!  The Walk for Change is also a great time to fundraise for BARCC and all proceeds go directly to the free services that we provide for survivors, significant others, and the community.  Last year, this event raised over $150,000 for our organizations and more than $40,000 of that was from donations less than $25.  Every donation truly does matter to our work and to the people we serve every day.  Join us this year and be a part of the population who will stand and say that sexual violence needs to end! 

Check out our video on the walk here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUVM6AzF-rs&feature=player_embedded

If your organization is hosting any events, please list them in the comments section below.

Written by: Stacey

Hollaback is a movement dedicated to ending street harassment through online apps and social media.  It was created as a safe space for females and LGBTQ individuals to talk about their personal experiences, as they are vastly more likely to be affected by gender-based violence.  It allows them a space to report any form of street harassment they may personally experience or that they see happen to a friend or stranger.  It offers people the ability to report what happened, how it made them feel, how they responded, and if they wish they had responded any differently now that time separated them from the harassment.  It also allows readers to comment about the stories and to offer words of validation and support. 

The creators of Hollaback believe that the concept and ability to write about harassment is important for a couple different reason.   First, on an individual level, it gives people an outlet to write about what happened and to learn that they aren't the only ones who are frustrated on a daily basis by street harassers.   By writing about the street harassment, each individual is given the opportunity to speak out in a safe and controlled environment whereas they may not feel comfortable responding directly to the harasser but don't want to remain silent.  Secondly, these stories affect society as people across the country and around the globe can read and post stories from their cities or others.  It allows others to try to empathize with how pervasive street harassment is and how it makes each individual feel.  With each story, the movement is able to get a bit stronger and could inspire changes within formal organizations, such as the police and lawmakers.  Everyone deserves to be treated with respect in their work place, their home, their school, and on the street. 

Hollaback defines street harassment as: “a form of sexual harassment that takes place in public spaces". At its core is a power dynamic that constantly reminds historically subordinate groups (women and LGBTQ folks, for example) of their vulnerability to be assaulted in public spaces. Further, it reinforces the ubiquitous sexual objectification of these groups in everyday life. Hollaback! believes that what specifically counts as street harassment is determined by those who experience it. While there is always the classic, “Hey baby, nice tits!”, there are many other forms that go unnoted or written off as unwanted or unsolited compliments.  Instead of silently fuming or turning inwards, now people who have been addressed have the option to HOLLABACK!”. 

Stories on the many Hollaback websites range from comments to whispers to touching to upskirting.   These stories link together to demonstrate that street harassment is extremely pervasive around the country.  One of the important first steps to creating a movement and demonstrating the magnitude of a problem is to show how many people it affects.  One critical steps to healing is to realize that other people have been through a similar experience and that you are not alone.  Hollaback provides an avenue for both of these platforms, and it is very exciting that there is now a specific Boston chapter.

One of my favorite posts thus far is a comic strip about the pervasiveness of street harassment.  It is important to point out that while much of the harassments are verbal comments, these comments build up over the day, week, month, and year.  They each contribute to feelings of being unsafe in a public place.  It’s comments such as these that Hollaback wants to bring into the light, in addition to incidents of touching, groping, public masturbating, and flashing.  The frequency of each of these behaviors leads people to believe that it is just a normal occurance that we have to learn to accept as women or as an LGBTQ individual or because we live in a city.  But it’s not okay.  What it does is create a society that normalizes sexual and gender-based violence.  Ending street harassment is critical in our work to end sexual violence in general.

If you want to learn more about Hollaback Boston specifically, see their website.  And of course, don’t forget to check out their Twitter and Facebook pages.  If you want to learn more about the creation of the Hollaback movement you can do so here. 

It’s SUPER easy to get involved.  You can submit your personal stories here, either anonymously or not.

Written by: Stacey

The breakdown looks like this: 20% of teens overall have sent or posted nude or semi-nude pictures or videos of themselves, 22% of girls, 18% of teen boys, and 11% of young teen girls (ages 13-16).  When it comes to how many teens are sending or posting sexually suggestive messages it goes like this: 39% of teens are doing it, 37% of teen girls, 40% of teen boys and 48% of teens say they have received such messages.  Now there have been lots of studies done on the topic of sexting, some studies suggest that sexting is not that prevalent nationally, but have  watched their numbers go up once their definition of sexting was broadened. Nonetheless, all of these studies have shown me that sexting is happening. Some of them are happening within the context of boyfriend girlfriend relationships and a smaller portion is happening with teens randomly posting images or text to Facebook, Myspace, or other social media, but I want to think a little bit more about “Why?”. Why is this happening? I won’t pretend that I know all the answers, but I have picked up some insight since going to the conference which took place in Middlesex, a county here in Massachusetts. 

To help answer this lets go back to when I was a teen…there were beepers and I watched 90210 and I was looking for anyway to express myself. My mom used to make me dress in the ugliest clothes and I remember walking to school thinking that as soon as I got to the bathroom I was going to do a Clark Kent and get out of those clothes, because they weren’t cool and not only that, they weren’t me. It’s the same with teens today, but expressing sexuality becomes even more complicated with the increased access to media.  Some therapists who work with teens would say that the mind of a teenager is like the mind of someone on LSD. Sounds horrible, but it’s true. Mary Pipher’s classic book, Reviving Opheilla says that “…the best way to understand teenagers was to think of them as constantly on LSD…People on LSD are intense, changeable, internal, often cryptic or uncommunicative and of course, dealing with a different reality”    (Pipher, 57). Think about where your mind was when you were a teen. What types of things did you get mad at? How did you handle stress, and moreover how did you handle being sexual? How did you handle wanting to up your bra size, or when you saw that half of six pack peeking through?  Also, how did you want to express it? What was available to you to show all that newness off?  Well, right now it’s not the Polaroid. Combine all of this with the accessibility to cell phones, flip cameras, computers, Youtube, Facebook, Myspace, digital cameras and some other stuff that I don’t even know, you can guess that the likelihood of  something like sexting happening is more than possible with teens.

With that said, it’s important to note that sexting is a serious offense and illegal. Though instances in sexting come from various age demographics there should also be the recognition that each case is complicated and unique. There are laws that vary state to state on this topic and it can affect teens while they are trying to express  their autonomy. Is it realistic to have teens not use their cell phones? Probably not. You can go down the story trail of telling them about your access to pagers when you were young and how you communicated to your friends with upside down letters--that was so clever, or you can help them to think through the responsibility they have with social media. This conference made me think of all these things; I feel like I have some tools under my belt. The conference that I went to also focused on hearing from teens about this issue. It’s really very interesting. They don’t even name this thing. For them it’s not called sexting. When they heard about it being called that they said there is no title for this type of communication. They also knew that some of these things happen under the coerciveness of their romantic relationships. But the thing that struck me about the responses was that teens said that they are more likely to be open to other perspectives on these behaviors when they don’t feel judged or shamed. There’s a lot to tackle in the wide array of sexting, and that makes sense to me and probably the most important piece I got from this conference.

Written by: Claudia, Youth Sexual Violence Prevention Mass- Promise Fellow

Despite the fact that the change is slow, there is still so much to be excited about. There are new campaigns  that focus on what people can do to change the environment around them to prevent sexual violence rather than just telling people what to do after they’ve been assaulted. There is new research  that has been evaluated and is effective at reducing incidents of sexual harassment in middle schools. The FBI recently changed its definition of rape to be more inclusive of the many victims and survivors it affects each year. Teenagers are speaking out against the dangers of slut-shaming and victim blaming . Documentaries are being made to show the effects of media  and the epidemicof sexual assault in the military . Change and the push for change are happening on so many different levels so it’s easy to get excited as an anti-sexual violence advocate.

Maybe all this positive energy, change, and complete lack of a scary New England winter has made me too hopeful…too expectant that society is shifting for the better. I am quickly snapped back into reality when legislation, such as the one in VA mandating a trans-vaginal ultrasound for women who are seeking an abortion, is proposed and then passed by the House and Senate. What does this legislation mean exactly? It means that any woman who wants an abortion must have a trans-vaginal ultrasound, which is very different from a sonogram that is done on the stomach. The Reproductive Health Reality Check does a great job explaining what this procedure entails (WARNING: Graphics used).

The new definition of rape from the FBI is the penetration, however slight, of any bodily orifice by any body part or object without consent. This new law on the table in VA is the mandatory penetration of a woman’s vagina without the need for her consent or a doctor’s recommendation. It is not medically necessary, nor is it optional based on the situation at hand. It is required for every woman who wants to obtain an abortion. While it can be traumatic for any woman who wants to practice body autonomy, it can be especially traumatic for rape and sexual assault survivors.

Rape and sexual assault cause the survivor to lose power and control over their body. Sexual violence can cause a variety of emotional, psychological, mental, and physical trauma to survivors. It can be daunting and challenging for survivors to seek general medical care in the years afterward. This medically unnecessary procedure also takes away a woman’s power and control over her body and medical choices. It takes away the voice of the woman and the doctor to make appropriate choices and decisions for themselves. Being in a medical appointment creates a clear power dynamic between the doctor and patient, which can be intimidating for survivors. Also, patients can feel exposed by the robes they wear or the needed positions to complete a medical examination. These challenges can be prohibitive for a survivor to seek standard medical care if they want to avoid feeling vulnerable. As we know from research and decades of interactions with survivors, these feelings and thoughts aren’t just present immediate post-assault. It can be challenging for a survivor to seek care years after the assault. State-mandated laws, such as the one proposed by VA, can make it impossible for rape and sexual assault survivors to seek abortion care.

In a study, it was found that approximately 5% of rapes result in pregnancy, which translates to approximately 32,000 pregnancies each year due to a rape. Of these pregnancies, approximately 50% of them result in an abortion (Holmes, Resnick, Kilpatrick, Best, 1996). The vast majority of abortions (90%)  are done within the first trimester of pregnancy. For a survivor of rape, this means that she will have to experience a medically unnecessary trans-vaginal exam just 12 weeks after the first rape. It is inconceivable to verbally write out the amount of stress and anxiety that can cause a survivor such a short time after the initial assault. However, one survivor shares her perspective . This law will make abortions even more inaccessible to survivors who have recently been assaulted.

Currently the law is in a holding pattern as there has been a lot of negative media coverage and societal pushback. It has passed both the House and Senate in Virginia and, initially, Governor McDonnell said that he would absolutely sign the law if it came to his desk. However, he has recently held emergency meetings with other Republican members to discuss the ‘true implications’ of this bill and states that they did not originally know how invasive the procedure would be. These assertions are completely untrue as there were several attempts to take out the trans-vaginal ultrasound requirement and use a sonogram. These proposals were rejected by the Republicans each time, therefore they were given plenty of opportunities to recognize the invasiveness of the procedure they wanted to require. Rachel Maddow does a great job outlining several of the attempts on her show on Feb 22.  (As an aside, if they truly didn’t understand the ramifications of the bill – why are they passing the law??)

It is extremely disheartening that the law was able to pass through so many layers and that it would have been signed by the governor of Virginia without a second thought. I appreciate the hard work of advocates across the country to raise awareness about this extremely dangerous piece of legislation. There have been several silent and not-so-silent protests in VA about this legislation where hundreds of people have showed their dissent. Amy Poehler returned to SNL this past weekend to do a Really!? segment about the transvaginal ultrasound law. John Stewart also focused on the invasive and unnecessary procedure on the Tuesday episode.  Hopefully there is enough pressure to keep Governor McDonnell from signing the legislation. We need to keep in mind the many women and survivors who will be directly impacted by this law. Their voices, choices, and autonomy should be respected and treated with dignity.

This is an extremely disheartening and offensive message to send, both to the troops and society.  Troops, both male and female, deserve to be treated with care and dignity and to have resources if they have been sexually assaulted.  Sexual assault in the military is extremely high for both women and men.  There have been many responses to this segment already.  I would like to direct you to the one composed by Media Matters as they offer a pretty comprehenisive and thoughtful reaction to the segment.

Written by: Stacey

Just to make friends with the feminists I'd like to reiterate that we don't condone rape of any kind at our Blackout Parties in mid January. However if a a chick passes out that's a grey area though.

(NB: Portnoy is doing his readers a serious legal disservice. In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, sexual activity with someone who is incapacitated by drugs or alcohol is rape. So, I suppose the first baby step would be to at least make factually correct rape jokes?)

In response, a group of students and activists have been gathering at events like that hosted by Barstool at the Boston House of Blues to protest the rape-supportive sentiment that frequently finds a home on Barstool and similar websites. It’s also worth noting that, in response, the management and staff of the House of Blues, the Boston Police Department, and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission Enforcement Division has made a particular effort to ensure that these are safe events for attendees. 


In an opinion piece in the February 12th Boston Globe, Joanna Weiss speculated as to whether Portnoy was, in fact, visionary for his use of rape jokes to combat people who are serious about making rape jokes. (I believe this is the sort of rhetorical device Audre Lorde had in mind when she said, “The Master’s tools will never dismantle the Master’s house.”)

Let me say, by way of a little explanation, I am the funniest person that most people who know me, personally know. This is not a piece about whether I, or anyone else who’s ever said, “Hey! Rape jokes! Knock it off!”, has a sense of humor, understands the literary definition of satire, or is familiar with or enjoys any of the more notable mid- to late-20th century boundary-pushing comedians.

I say that because typically, the first response to “Hey! Rape jokes! Knock it off!” is an argument about whether they are “funny” or whether the person objecting to them is too sensitive. So, yes, humor is subjective, it’s culturally specific, it’s a product of our time, we can use it as a lens, and it’s good for establishing in-group/out-group identity. I don’t need to expand on this further, just rent The Aristocrats.

In her piece, Weiss cites the humor of Chris Rock and says

“If Chris Rock makes a subversive, knowing joke about race, and some racist finds it funny for the wrong reason, who’s to blame?”

Except that what Weiss misses here is that this is precisely the reason Rock’s contemporary and one of comedy’s greatest satirists, Dave Chappelle, walked away from his phenomenally successful show. As he said in two interviews, one on Oprah and one on Inside the Actors Studio, he could discern the difference between people laughing with jokes about race, and people laughing at jokes about race, and there were several incidents where his audiences had shifted to laughing at those jokes, which made Chappelle profoundly uncomfortable.

Which leads us to the second most common response to, “Hey! Rape jokes! Knock it off”: “Well, I’m not raping anyone, so what difference does it make if I make rape jokes?” and the corollary, “So, if I make a rape joke, it’s going to cause somebody to go out and rape someone?”

Let’s work through this cause/effect argument to talk about the role of rape jokes. Jokes, like alcohol, are not magical spells that cause people whose behavior has never been inappropriate nor who have any inclination toward being abusive or inappropriate to become so. But here are some things we know about risk factors for sexual violence perpetration: many men who offend have

• coercive sexual fantasies
• a preference for impersonal sex
• hypermasculinity traits (that is, valuing the exaggeration of stereotypically “male” behavior)
• a tendency to wrongly interpret neutral attention from women as a sign of sexual interest and negative responses from women as aggressive or hostile
• relationships with sexually aggressive peers who support these ideas
• communities with a general tolerance for sexual violence
• communities with weak community sanctions against people who perpetrate sexual violence

We also know that individuals who sexually offend are both very good evaluators of their social group and the environment around them, and look for cues from those social groups and environments for reinforcement and validation of their thought errors and boundary-crossing behavior.

So, an individual who has many risk factors around sexual aggression might crack a rape joke and go, “AmIright?” Now what do the others around that person do? Do they laugh, and add their own? Does someone flag their behavior as inappropriate and ask them not to do that anymore? Environments matter.

Think back to your middle school cafeteria: how did you figure out what clothes to wear, what music to listen to, what shows to watch? You watched other people who mattered to you and what they did. Whether you wanted to be a part of the larger culture or countercultural, it still mattered what other people did and said, and how they behaved.

That’s why it’s not enough to throw up your hands and say, “Well, I’m not raping people, so what difference does it make if I make rape jokes!” If you’re not saying outright that sexually abusive behavior is not OK in your circle, well, then...you’re not saying it.

Come, do some inferring with me.

All of us know someone who is a survivor of sexual violence. According to the latest data from the CDC almost 2/3 of women (62.9%) and almost 1/4 of men (23.6%) have experienced some type of sexual violence in their lifetime.

The majority of survivors are sexually abused or assaulted by someone they know. This is true across all age groups and demographics, but is especially true of children, adolescents, and folks in a college setting (and elders and folks with disabilities, but for the sake of this piece, I’m not certain they are the target market of either Barstool Sports or blacklight parties.)

Thus, it is more likely than not that we also know someone who has been sexually abusive or inappropriate.

In talking about why it’s unacceptable for people around me to make rape jokes, I used to say, “Well, even though I know that none of my friends would hurt anyone, I don’t know who’s listening to our conversation and how they’re using that to gauge what’s acceptable.”

I stopped saying the first part, though, about my friends, not because I have concerns about their behavior at this time, but because I was guilty of exactly what Joanna Weiss, David Portnoy, and anyone else who makes or is an apologist for rape jokes is guilty of : abdicating my responsibility for creating a safe, fun environment by thinking, “This is the awesome table in the middle school cafeteria of life! Everybody here is just like me and really gets it! Those sexually aggressive folks are someplace else!” If we are going to accept the reality of the data and the truth of others’ lived experience, then we can’t keep waiting for someone else to do something about their friends and family with problem behaviors. We are the someone else. Those are our friends and family.

Somehow, what has really become twisted in all this, is that communities who celebrate jokes built on violence, lack of safety, and the pain and degradation of others have been allowed to claim the mantle of “fun”, while communities who say, “We love having fun, socializing, dancing, interacting with other people, and yes, sex...and also rape isn’t funny or cool! You are welcome here, but check that rape garbage at the door” are, at best, characterized as the wet blanket. 


No. No more of that. I, you, our communities, this city, have no need of a cleverer rape joke. I’m taking “fun” back. That is the social change we need to see here.

MORGAN: You have two daughters. You have many granddaughters. If one of them was raped -- and I accept it's a very unlikely thing to happen -- but if they were, would you honestly look at them in the eye and say they had to have that child if they were impregnated?
PAUL: No. If it's an honest rape, that individual should go immediately to the emergency room. I would give them a shot of estrogen...

While the interview questions were focusing on the issue of abortion rather than rape specifically, the belief of such a think as an ‘honest rape’ is extremely problematic.  What differences exist for Paul between an ‘honest rape’ and a dishonest rape’?  It creates the perception that there are some rapes that are more real than others.  This belief pops up frequently within the media as victims are blamed or sexually violent acts are minimized.

There is a common misperception that rape is only legitimate if it is committed by a stranger or if it involved a weapon or excessive force.  This is repeatedly shown in SVU and other similar crime shows.  News sources will focus on the more sensational stories in order to hook viewers.  It’s important to keep in mind that the goals of these shows (both news and fiction) is to attract viewers which increases profit.  Therefore, they are not motivated to accurately represent how sexual violence is perpetrated and the trials and barriers that survivors face. 

These egregious misrepresentations can be observed outside of the media as well.  The FBI, until recently, only recognized rape when it was forcibly committed by a man against a woman.  While many states have adopted a broader definition and recognize rape occurs in many forms, these are not represented in the annual UCR report.  This definition recognized 84,000 survivors of rape in 2010.  This discounted thousands of rapes that were reported which did not fit under the narrow definition and heavily contrasted with the results of the National Crime Victimization Study which stated that there are almost 208,000 survivors each year!

According to multiple studies over the past few decades, including the most recent by the CDC, the overwhelming majority (70-80%) of sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone who is known to the victim.  This number increases when you look at specific vulnerable populations such as children, colleges, people with disabilities, or the elderly.  These perpetrators can be intimate partners, friends, family members, acquaintances, co-workers, neighbors, teachers, or a whole variety of other people that we interact with on each and every day. 

People believe that they can trust people in positions of power, authority, and knowledge to give accurate information.  Fact-checking can be long and tedious and why shouldn't we be able to trust an expert?  In the latter part of Paul’s sentence, he advises that a woman can get a shot of estrogen to prevent pregnancy.  Paul is an OB/GYN so why should people question the information that he gives about reproductive health?  In fact, there is NO estrogen shot that is given to women to prevent pregnancy.  There are two forms of emergency contraceptive used in the US - Ella and Plan B - both of which are pills that are taken orally.  However, if you browse the comments section many people reference the ‘shot of estrogen’ that Paul mentions.  Additionally, very few news sources point out the fallacy of this sentence.  Inaccuracies in our media impacts our knowledge and what we believe.

The belief and constant portrayal that there is an ‘honest rape’ has real repercussions on survivors and society.  First, many survivors may believe that since they were raped or assaulted by someone they know that it doesn’t count.  They may blame themselves for not yelling loud enough or fighting hard enough.  They could compare their rape to those that they see on the TV and downplay what happened by thinking that at least there was no weapon or at least there wasn’t any serious injuries.  They could be reluctant to get medical care or make a report because of the lack of physical injuries.  Even those who do reach out, are likely to doubt the validity of their case because of how it doesn’t match what they’ve seen on TV, learned about how rape should look, or the belief that their own actions may have brought on the assault.  This leaves many survivors without the resources and support we need.

Written by: Stacey

In the New York Times last week there was a very brave article entitled "Defriending My Rapist." You can and should read the article for yourself at the Opinionator, but the gist of it is this: at the age of thirteen, the author was brutally raped by four boys from her school. Thirty-eight years later, Facebook recommends she friend one of her rapists (the ringleader). Prodded on by curiosity, she does. To find out more about her reactions to this uniquely 21st century situation, I highly recommend you read the entire piece - I will not be able to do it justice here. Suffice it to say, it is a very insightful piece, and particularly instructive for those of us who respond to rape disclosures. The writer, like many young women, blames herself for her own rape: for wearing a low-cut top, for acting more confident than she felt - "With a child’s logic," she says, "I figured the boys thought I wasn’t a virgin because of my sexy shirt." You can hear the subtle chiding in her voice toward her childhood self, for this lapse in logic, this capitulation to rape culture and victim-blaming. Yet later, when she confronts her rapist via a private Facebook message she repeats a similar theme: "I hope that night has haunted you. I was naïve and a virgin." Even after years of therapy, this woman still feels compelled to point out to her rapists that she was not "experienced," that in fact she was a virgin, in effort to convey to him the seriousness of his crime. That our culture of victim-blaming is so pervasive that even survivors themselves fall victim to it should give us all pause. This is a young woman who was held down and raped by four men. She was a virgin. She screamed.  She was the textbook definition of everything a society thinks of as a "acceptable" victim of rape (you know, aside from the low-cut sparkly top and the fact that she drank some rum), and yet she still blamed herself because she was wearing a shirt that might have made them assume she wasn't a virgin. Indeed, years later, she uses the fact that she was a virgin to emphasize the severity of the crime to her own rapist.

At thirteen years old, this young woman had been exposed to enough of rape culture to think that she had asked for it (and who can blame her, when so many people's reaction would have been to make note of what she was wearing, of whether or not she had been drinking). She knew enough to not want to tell anyone, because she thought she would be shunned at school (and who can blame her, when so many people's reaction is to say "are you sure you want to ruin those boys' lives by accusing them of rape?"). After thirty-eight years, this woman was brave enough to not only confront her rapist but to write about it for the New York Times. But how many more men and women, young and old, may be suffering in silence under these same assumptions?

Stories like these emphasize the need for programs like BARCC's Community Awareness and Prevention Services program. It is not enough for us to respond to disclosures with empathy and compassion, to help men and women who have been raped or assaulted regain control by empowering them to make decisions regarding their own physical and mental health, to provide them with access to valuable services to help them recover and heal. We must also attack the root of the problem: rapists, and a culture that is permissible of rape. We can see from this story (and from articles like this) that the lessons of victim-blaming are learned young, which means we need to start even younger to combat them. Until we as a community rise up against rapists and not their victims, against the crime of rape and not the circumstances under which it occurs, we all but ensure that terrible stories like this continue to happen. If as CAPS volunteers we can empower one young person to stand up to their friends when they are making rape jokes, or to question the messages they are receiving from their peers and the media, or to intervene when they see someone being targeted or harassed, then we will have done our jobs. If enough individuals stand up against rape culture, we can produce a domino effect to someday ensure that crimes like this do not go unpunished, or at least to make sure that the survivors of these crimes do not feel alone or at fault. No one should have to wait thirty-eight years for that kind of validation.

One more note - social networking tools are making encounters like these far more frequent than anytime B.F. (Before Facebook). Sometimes these encounters can turn out to be ultimately empowering, as in the article above. Other times, particularly for those who do not have the benefit of a solid support system, they can simply be triggering and harmful to the emotional well-being of the survivor. How can we be more attuned to these kinds of encounters happening among our family and friends, and supportive and empowering of someone who might be going through something similar to the author (it happens more often than you'd think!)?

Written by: Alison, a CAPS volunteer

Let’s have some clarifying definitions before continuing on…
Sex: The biological body parts that are associated with either being male or female
Gender presentation: The way a person displays their actual or perceived gender—whether or not that gender is different from the gender identity traditionally assigned to them at birth based on their sex
Transgender: Umbrella term for people who transition from one gender to another or express themselves outside the gender binary system of male and female (can include changes in name or dress, hormone therapy, and/or surgery)
Cisgender: Individuals who have a match between the gender that was assigned at birth, their sex, and personal gender identity

Throughout the video, Taylor frequently referred to the “transgender boys” that GSUSA is allowing to join the chapters.  These individuals that Taylor is referring to, and who have fought hard to be in the Girl Scouts, are actually transgender girls.  GSUSA handbook reflects that any child K-12 who identifies as a girl and is presented as a girl by their family will be accepted into the Girl Scouts.  There will not be any gender test before being admitted.  Personally, I would like to applaud the GSUSA for having such a progressive policy regarding gender and allowing trans girls access to a safe female-only environment.

Transgender girls are not a danger to their cisgender-peers; they are not boys masquerading as girls in order to sneak into single-sex female groups.  They’re girls living the life with which they identify, despite their biological characteristics.  GSUSA creates a safe space for girls to develop their self-esteem and confidence and it should be available to all girls, regardless of sex at birth.  Other societal institutions and organizations should be more focused on how to be more inclusive of all gender identities so that youth are able to explore their gender identities in a healthy and supported way.

It takes an incredible amount of strength and courage for a trans-child and the family to present as their true gender.  There is backlash from neighbors, peers, friends, the school system and other organizations that the child or family may be a part of.  Taylor indicts transgender individuals as perpetrating violence against cisgender girls but in fact, it is often the transgender child who faces constant bullying, harassment, and assault because of their gender presentation.  It is precisely the attitudes and beliefs of their peers and society at large that enforce a narrow idea of what behaviors and appearances are allowed based on gender that lead to much more violence against transgender youth throughout middle and high school than their cisgender-peers.

• For transgender individuals, the median age of the first sexual abuse experience was 14-15 years of age. (National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women. 2009)
• Two-thirds of transgender students felt unsafe in school because of their sexual orientation (69%) and how they expressed their gender (65%) (GLSEN, 2009)
• 74% of transgender youth reported being sexually harassed at school, and 90% of transgender youth reported feeling unsafe at school because of their gender expression. (GLSEN. (2001)

In a recent article, one transgender girl, her twin brother, and parents had to move after they were verbally and physically harassed by other children at school.  For her protection, a teacher was assigned to watch her between classes which she found to be incredibly intrusive.  She was constantly excluded from activities and forced to be with the boys rather than the girls on school trips and during activities. 

Rejection, harassment, and bullying can be harmful to any child but the frequency and severity drastically increases when transgender youth are the target.  These acts of violence and constant encroachments on their safety and personal lives have serious consequences for transgender youth.  About 1/3 of transgender youth have attempted suicide as a result of the discrimination (Clements-Nolle, Marx, Katz. 2006). 

There has been an overwhelming outpouring of support for the GSUSA policy and for the transgender girls who have been brave enough to join the troops.  The amount of support is extremely encouraging and inspiring as it shows the growth and the number of transgender individuals and allies who are willing to speak out publicly against transphobic behaviors.  There is still more progress to be made, as the majority of stories about transgender individuals are often sparked from controversy over progressive and empowering policies, like the GSUSA’s, rather than regularly including them in news coverage.

So buy cookies this year in support and knowledge that GSUSA supports and allows ALL girls to join their troops.