Survivors Movement

Survivors Movement

Survivors Movement

Sexual Abuse Survivors Create a Movement

Survivors Movement

Tim Lennon (center) at SNAP Demonstration, Rome Feb 2019

          Survivors of sexual abuse are creating a new movement from their furious, decades-long struggle to end rape and sexual abuse. They have stood up and bravely told their story, organized other survivors, mobilized the community, and compelled legislative action.  No longer will they remain quiet. They demand respect and dignity.

          This movement, even in its infancy, rivals the great movements of history such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Movement, the LGBTQ Movement, and others. Victims have spoken, they are throwing off the baggage of victim shaming and cultural isolation. We are victims no longer.

          A myriad of organizations, advocates, activists are organized at local, regional, national, and international groups. Some are as small as a local rape crisis center, others are dynamic international associations spanning the globe. While these disparate forces advance a variety of programs and initiatives, they, at the same time, share a common struggle:

End rape and sexual abuse.

Sexual Abuse Survivors Create a Movement

Sexual Abuse Survivors Create a Movement

Survivors Movement

Tim Lennon (center) at SNAP Demonstration, Rome Feb 2019

          Survivors of sexual abuse are creating a new movement from their furious, decades-long struggle to end rape and sexual abuse. They have stood up and bravely told their story, organized other survivors, mobilized the community, and compelled legislative action.  No longer will they remain quiet. They demand respect and dignity.

          Survivors of sexual abuse are creating a new movement from their furious, decades-long struggle to end rape and sexual abuse. They have stood up and bravely told their story, organized other survivors, mobilized the community, and compelled legislative action.  No longer will they remain quiet. They demand respect and dignity.

          This movement, even in its infancy, rivals the great movements of history such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Movement, the LGBTQ Movement, and others. Victims have spoken, they are throwing off the baggage of victim shaming and cultural isolation. We are victims no longer.

          A myriad of organizations, advocates, activists are organized at local, regional, national, and international groups. Some are as small as a local rape crisis center, others are dynamic international associations spanning the globe. While these disparate forces advance a variety of programs and initiatives, they, at the same time, share a common struggle:

          This movement, even in its infancy, rivals the great movements of history such as the Civil Rights Movement, the Women’s Movement, the LGBTQ Movement, and others. Victims have spoken, they are throwing off the baggage of victim shaming and cultural isolation. We are victims no longer.

          A myriad of organizations, advocates, activists are organized at local, regional, national, and international groups. Some are as small as a local rape crisis center, others are dynamic international associations spanning the globe. While these disparate forces advance a variety of programs and initiatives, they, at the same time, share a common struggle:

End rape and sexual abuse.

Breath of the Movement

          A broad assembly of activists and advocates possess broad interests, goals, and experiences in preventing abuse and supporting survivors. Some of these sectors or organizing are:

  • Child sex abuse in the home, schools, and community
  • Abuse of children, minors, and adults in religious communities
  • Local rape crisis centers
  • Military or college campuses
  • Abused as children
  • Abused as adults
  • Sexual abuse and harrassment in the workplace; factory floor, Hollywood studio, online, retail, corporate offices, and government

Common Objectives and Goals

          Similar to the other great movements this Movement embraces a spectrum of objectives and goals:

  • Survivor Support
  • Prevention of any future abuse
  • Advocacy for state and national law reform
  • Strong prosecution of predators; hold institutions accountable for coverups
1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted by age 18
1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18
1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted by age 18

Radical Change

in Culture, Language, and Social Norms

          Like the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement, our new Movement demands and works for major cultural changes in language, culture, presentation, and social norms. No longer will victim-shaming be tolerated. No longer will survivors stand aside, silent. Survivors step forward and speak up. Our struggle is not just changing laws.  Our task demands we change the language, culture, and social norms.

          A couple of dozen organizations active in the created a ‘first’ effort to foster this connection and communication with allies, All Survivors Day in 2018. In addition to twenty or more organizations, there were public events in over thirty cities in six countries.

The Survivors Movment

is Historic

          Why call ourselves a movement? I suggest a couple of reasons. Historically, movements develop organically, without a central theme of identity. Movements emerge from the myriad challenges facing the community. This emergence happens before it coalesces around a name or identity as a movement.

          The significant and crucial point becomes that we all share a common interest in supporting survivors, protecting the vulnerable, and holding predators accountable, it unites us all and creates the conditions for the movement to emerge. While there may be a thousand organizations with different audiences, programs, initiatives, areas of focus, programs, initiatives, we all benefit by supporting each other. We are a movement!

         We know that when one organization advances in the fight for justice, the whole movement advances. When the Movement advances each individual organization advances. In other words, as survivor organizations support each other it forges itself as a movement.

Breath of the Movement

Breath of the Movement

          A broad assembly of activists and advocates possess broad interests, goals, and experiences in preventing abuse and supporting survivors. Some of these sectors or organizing are:

          A broad assembly of activists and advocates possess broad interests, goals, and experiences in preventing abuse and supporting survivors. Some of these sectors or organizing are:

  • Child sex abuse in the home, schools, and community
  • Abuse of children, minors, and adults in religious communities
  • Local rape crisis centers
  • Military or college campuses
  • Abused as children
  • Abused as adults
  • Sexual abuse and harrassment in the workplace; factory floor, Hollywood studio, online, retail, corporate offices, and government
  • Child sex abuse in the home, schools, and community
  • Abuse of children, minors, and adults in religious communities
  • Local rape crisis centers
  • Military or college campuses
  • Abused as children
  • Abused as adults
  • Sexual abuse and harrassment in the workplace; factory floor, Hollywood studio, online, retail, corporate offices, and government

Common Objectives and Goals

Common Objectives and Goals

          Similar to the other great movements this Movement embraces a spectrum of objectives and goals:

          Similar to the other great movements this Movement embraces a spectrum of objectives and goals:

  • Survivor Support
  • Prevention of any future abuse
  • Advocacy for state and national law reform
  • Strong prosecution of predators; hold institutions accountable for coverups
  • Survivor Support
  • Prevention of any future abuse
  • Advocacy for state and national law reform
  • Strong prosecution of predators; hold institutions accountable for coverups
1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted by age 18
1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by age 18
1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted by age 18

Radical Change

Radical Change

in Culture, Language, and Social Norms

in Culture, Language, and Social Norms

          Like the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement, our new Movement demands and works for major cultural changes in language, culture, presentation, and social norms. No longer will victim-shaming be tolerated. No longer will survivors stand aside, silent. Survivors step forward and speak up. Our struggle is not just changing laws.  Our task demands we change the language, culture, and social norms.

          A couple of dozen organizations active in the created a ‘first’ effort to foster this connection and communication with allies, All Survivors Day in 2018. In addition to twenty or more organizations, there were public events in over thirty cities in six countries.

          Like the Civil Rights Movement and the Women’s Movement, our new Movement demands and works for major cultural changes in language, culture, presentation, and social norms. No longer will victim-shaming be tolerated. No longer will survivors stand aside, silent. Survivors step forward and speak up. Our struggle is not just changing laws.  Our task demands we change the language, culture, and social norms.

          A couple of dozen organizations active in the created a ‘first’ effort to foster this connection and communication with allies, All Survivors Day in 2018. In addition to twenty or more organizations, there were public events in over thirty cities in six countries.

The Survivors Movment is Historic

The Survivors Movment is Historic

          Why call ourselves a movement? I suggest a couple of reasons. Historically, movements develop organically, without a central theme of identity. Movements emerge from the myriad challenges facing the community. This emergence happens before it coalesces around a name or identity as a movement.

          The significant and crucial point becomes that we all share a common interest in supporting survivors, protecting the vulnerable, and holding predators accountable, it unites us all and creates the conditions for the movement to emerge. While there may be a thousand organizations with different audiences, programs, initiatives, areas of focus, programs, initiatives, we all benefit by supporting each other. We are a movement!

         We know that when one organization advances in the fight for justice, the whole movement advances. When the Movement advances each individual organization advances. In other words, as survivor organizations support each other it forges itself as a movement.

          Why call ourselves a movement? I suggest a couple of reasons. Historically, movements develop organically, without a central theme of identity. Movements emerge from the myriad challenges facing the community. This emergence happens before it coalesces around a name or identity as a movement.

          The significant and crucial point becomes that we all share a common interest in supporting survivors, protecting the vulnerable, and holding predators accountable, it unites us all and creates the conditions for the movement to emerge. While there may be a thousand organizations with different audiences, programs, initiatives, areas of focus, programs, initiatives, we all benefit by supporting each other. We are a movement!

         We know that when one organization advances in the fight for justice, the whole movement advances. When the Movement advances each individual organization advances. In other words, as survivor organizations support each other it forges itself as a movement.

Advocates, Activists, and Organizations

Advocates, Activists, and Organizations

Advocates, Activists, and Organizations

Forging a New Movement

Forging a New Movement

Forging a New Movement

          The Great Wall of China, whose construction took over a thousand years and spanned six dynasties, formed in stages. Similarly, this Movement for Respect and Dignity developed in many stages over many years.

          The genesis of this new movement first appeared when courageous survivors stood up and named the crime and the criminal–no longer silent. This gave giving voice and leadership to those hidden in the darkness alone. This leadership demonstrated that a victim is not alone, it was not their fault.

          The Movement is fostered by the lessons learned from the great movements of our era. We learned courage from those fighting racism. The Women’s Movement showed the importance of unity and action. We learned from the pride of the LGBTQ Movement to throw off the mantle of shame and silence. The lessons of these movements help give leadership to those who exposed the hidden secret of widespread sexual abuse.

          No longer will sexual abuse a topic to be whispered. Local rape crisis center sprouted nationwide, women’s support groups increased the awareness and ubiquity of sexual abuse. The courage of the LGBTQ community publicly demanded recognition and respect. These two movements taught current activists the significance of the issues of sexuality and healthy relations and brought it to public discourse.

          The Great Wall of China, whose construction took over a thousand years and spanned six dynasties, formed in stages. Similarly, this Movement for Respect and Dignity developed in many stages over many years.

          The genesis of this new movement first appeared when courageous survivors stood up and named the crime and the criminal–no longer silent. This gave giving voice and leadership to those hidden in the darkness alone. This leadership demonstrated that a victim is not alone, it was not their fault.

          The Movement is fostered by the lessons learned from the great movements of our era. We learned courage from those fighting racism. The Women’s Movement showed the importance of unity and action. We learned from the pride of the LGBTQ Movement to throw off the mantle of shame and silence. The lessons of these movements help give leadership to those who exposed the hidden secret of widespread sexual abuse.

          No longer will sexual abuse a topic to be whispered. Local rape crisis center sprouted nationwide, women’s support groups increased the awareness and ubiquity of sexual abuse. The courage of the LGBTQ community publicly demanded recognition and respect. These two movements taught current activists the significance of the issues of sexuality and healthy relations and brought it to public discourse.

Many Waves, One Ocean

          Like a weaving which can interweaves many threads of a variety in size, color, texture, material; our movement encompasses many diverse attributes of sexual abuse, local and national, child and adult, religious and secular. It’s diversity encompasses sexual abuse in the home, in schools, churches, workplace, the military, and athletic teams.

          A beginning list of significant national organizations.

Many Waves, One Ocean

Many Waves, One Ocean

          Like a weaving which can interweaves many threads of a variety in size, color, texture, material; our movement encompasses many diverse attributes of sexual abuse, local and national, child and adult, religious and secular. It’s diversity encompasses sexual abuse in the home, in schools, churches, workplace, the military, and athletic teams.

          A beginning list of significant national organizations.

You identify a movement by it’s interconnection, communication, and shared interests. By any definition we are a movement busting out of silos of individual actions.

Our movement grows and thrives on mutual support. A moment in its infancy can only grow in strength and power by common effort.

You identify a movement by it’s interconnection, communication, and shared interests. By any definition we are a movement busting out of silos of individual actions.

Our movement grows and thrives on mutual support. A moment in its infancy can only grow in strength and power by common effort.

You identify a movement by it’s interconnection, communication, and shared interests. By any definition we are a movement busting out of silos of individual actions.

Our movement grows and thrives on mutual support. A moment in its infancy can only grow in strength and power by common effort.

Allies and Sister Organizations

Allies and Sister Organizations

Allies and Sister Organizations

FORCE: Upsetting Rape Culture
Foundation for Survivors of Abuse
FREED--For Real Equality-End Demand
Freedom Network USA
Freedom of Mind
Futures without Violence
Gatehouse (The)
Glass Soldier
Global Sports Development Foundation
Godly Response to Abuse in Christian Environment GRACE
Handing the Shame Back
Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse
Helping Survivors
Hire Survivors Hollywood
Hope Pyx Global
Hope, Healing, Transformation
Hush No More
I Was Me Campaign
Incest Aware
Incest Survivors United Voices of America
Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma
Into Account
Its On Us
Jane Doe No More
Jewish Survivors United
Joyful Heart Foundation
Justice Defense Fund
Keep Kids Safe
Latter Day Survivors
Leadership Council on Child Abuse
Leila Grace Foundation
Lift the Lid
Male Survivor
Mass Kids The Enough Abuse Campaign
Men Against Sexual Violence
Men Can Stop Rape
Mennonite Abuse Prevention
MeToo Movement
MeToo Music
Minnesota Indian Women’s Sexual Assault Coalition
Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women USA
Mission Kids Safety Net
Moore Center for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Mothers of Adult Survivors of Incest and Sexual Abuse
Mothers of Sexually Abused Children
My Life Choice
National Alliance to End Sexual Violence
National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
National Center for Domestic and Sexual Violence
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE)
National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
National Child Abuse Coalition
National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Exploitation
National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS)