Statement on Charlottesville

Like many of you, we watched the events unfold in Charlottesville this weekend with heavy hearts and racing minds. Now more than ever we need leaders—who hold public office, run private companies, enjoy high public profiles, and are able to influence public debate—to denounce violence, hate, and bigotry and stand with communities who are being targeted and terrorized: African Americans, other people of color, Muslims, people who are transgender, women, Jewish communities, and LGBQ people.

Feeling entitled to dehumanize people is at the center of the hate we saw this weekend (and see all too often), and it is directly connected to a culture that enables sexual violence. We are working every day with you—our community members, our supporters, our advocates—to change that culture. We promote healing and advocate for respect, accountability, and love. As we do so in the face of hate, we lift up the good, we lift up each other, and we lift up survivors of all backgrounds. Today and every day, do what you can to resist hate, support survivors, and change the culture.

And remember, we are with you. Our programs and services support survivors regardless of when the violence occurred. Our hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 800-841-8371. And we train organizations ranging from police to universities in how to create cultures that prevent sexual violence in the first place.