Kelly & Becca: 2 Soul Sisters on a Mission

You Are The One Documentary Film

2011-08-08T13:30:00.000-04:00

Its official, we are making a documentary. We’re still trying to settle into the thought that someone wants to use their immense talent to develop and produce a film about our journey. The project mastermind is filmmaker Barbara Rosenthal. Barbara has been making films since she was seven, her first effort being a Super 8 take on the Arab/Israeli conflict, loosely based on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". So issues based art has always been a part of her repertoire. We are stoked to work with Barbara and the rest of the crew on this project and can’t wait to see where this new adventure takes us. Since we will be shooting while we travel, let us know if you would like us to consider adding your campus or community to the film.

The process of making "You Are The One" will occur in two phases. The first phase involves accumulating support from individuals to kick-start field production and initial editing. Phase two will involve grants that will allow us to finish the film, enter it in festivals, and create a distribution network. Our distribution efforts will be focused on college campus communities in an effort to change the culture of sexual assault.

This week, is the kick off of the fundraising efforts to get this important and exciting project rolling. You can support this effort by investing a few dollars towards the development of our independent film designed to help shift the campus culture. Or simply, share this announcement with your networks. No matter how you choose to help, we will be forever grateful for your support! To learn more about this project, watch the fundraising trailer and to donate please visit youaretheone.bbnow.org.

Interested in being a part of the documentary? Send and emailt to info@kellyandbecca.com to learn more.

"Like” the project on facebook!

Sexversation Nation Update

2011-06-03T15:31:00.003-04:00

Since the launch of Sexversations® on Valentine’s Day 2009, we have been amazed at the warm and enthusiastic response our entertaining educational tool has received—both the program and the products. Sexversations® is actively being used in Resident Halls, Violence Prevention offices, Women’s Centers, by Campus Activity Boards, Peer Educators and Fraternity men and Sorority women. In additional to college campuses, communities and organizations such as the United States Military, County Health Departments and various offices of Planned Parenthood are also using Sexversations®. While this is certainly not an exhaustive list of who is sexversating, it has given us insight to who is actively leading their communities in conversations that will help contribute to a more sexually empowered culture. It is a remarkably exciting time for us as we look for additional opportunities to grow the resources that support the Sexversation® nation (more on that soon)!

Sexversations® program at SEMO

In the past year, we have presented the Sexversations® educational program at such prestigious conferences as the Bacchus and Gamma General Assembly, Sexual Assault in Our Schools National Conference, National Association of Campus Activities National Conference, Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values Central Conference and National Conference for College Women Student Leaders as well as numerous college campuses and military bases throughout the country. The consistent feedback we receive is that the program is getting important conversations started. We have gotten positive comments about the implementation of a text in option during the program. This is an exciting feature that creates a safe (anonymous) space for participants to share their thoughts with the entire audience and it also allows us to capture data from thousands of participants on various issues related to sex, sexual health, relationships and sexual assault. Each campus that hosts Sexversations® receives a post program report with their specific data. We decided to compile all the available data and give you a snapshot of some of the responses we have been given. While this is not inclusive all the information we have acquired it gives you an idea of some of the responses we have received. If you are interested in learning more about our outcomes send an email to us at info@kellyandbecca.com.

Without further adieu…some of the results!

Members of their communities make the best partners?

Yes 45%
No 55%

Is a person is still a virgin after giving or receiving oral sex?

Yes 70%
No 25%
Undecided 5%

When should someone tell their partner they have an STI (sexually transmitted infection)?

Before they are intimate 64%
The sooner the better 26%
If and when they ask 3%
It’s different with each partner 3%
I don’t feel they have to disclose 4%

Do you know someone who has been sexually assaulted?

Yes 73%
No 27%

Do your sexual boundaries change while on vacation or spring break?

Yes 40%
No 60%

We hope you find these numbers interesting and worthy of discussion. If you are interested in ordering Sexversations® materials please visit www.sexversations.com send us an email at info@kellyandbecca.com. For more information on bringing this revolutionary program to campus contact The College Agency at info@thecollegeagency.com, subject: Sexversations®.

Take me back to New Orleans

2011-02-18T16:36:00.001-05:00

Many of you know that Becca and I have a deep rooted love for the great city of New Orleans. The Let's Talk About "IT" journey began on a road trip to NOLA more than a decade ago and so it was especially nice to return to our spiritual home to work with Tulane University. A full circle moment for us.

Thank you to the hundreds of campuses and communities who have allowed us to share our story and our passion with you. The last 8 years have been a dream come true.

The giant shiny red condom walking around campus to advertise our program was a highlight!

Health Promotions Team- they are the bestess!

Peace, Love and Sisterhood

2011-02-07T15:59:00.001-05:00

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, this time of year we write a lot about healthy relationships because we feel understanding what that means helps clear up the misconceptions about sexual assault and clarifies how we can all be a part of the solution to address and eventually end sexual violence. But instead of talking about our intimate partners we wanted to revel in the idea that the love and respect we share for one another as BFF’s and sisters of the soul, that you and your friends share for one another is also deeply significant. So as we prepare for Valentine’s Day (a Hallmark scam sure but a scam with candy) we won’t just be thinking about our lovers (sounds so much sassier than husbands or partners) who we are blessed to share our lives with. We will also think about and honor one another and give attention to the importance of nurturing all the most cherished relationships in our lives.

Who will you honor this Valentine’s Day?

I just started reading The Twisted Sisterhood by Kelly Valen. If Oprah hawks it we will buy it. Valen examines female relationships, sharing the results of her unique survey of over three thousand women. She also shares her own painful experience with girlfriends and provides insight for a future of genuine caring and true sisterhood. I just started the book, but I have to say it seems totally in line with the celebration of friendship, what this edition of our enews is all about. Have you read it? What do you think? What books do you think exemplify the power of friendship?

Boredom + Bookstore = Photo Shoot

2011-02-01T16:04:00.002-05:00

A rainy afternoon in California with too much time on our hands and no place to go. Why spend our downtime reading when we can act like we're reading instead?

California Home Girls

2011-01-30T16:15:00.032-05:00

April, Lauren and Sabrina showing off the new One Student posters.

We got to spend some time with our No Woman Left Behind home girls this weekend. They inspire, amaze and dazzle us beyond measure. Honestly, we could not love these women more if our life depended on it!

We accomplished a lot during our west coast One Student/ No Woman Left Behind weekend retreat. The No Woman Left Behind Bystander Intervention Training Program is almost complete and we put the final touches on the No Woman Left Behind campus program (see description below).

No Woman Left Behind
Whether it’s your friend, sister or a complete stranger, step in and make a difference.

No Woman Left Behind is a bystander intervention program created by women for women and the men who care about them. In this empowering program, April, Lauren and Sabrina share their personal and life changing story to offer a powerful message about values, sisterhood and responsibility. The No Woman Left Behind program challenges students to raise their standards, become role models and contribute to a unified campus community.

On an average night at a seemingly typical college party, three members of the De Anza College women’s soccer team intervened when they believed a young woman was being sexually assaulted by members of a college athletic team. By following their intuition and doing what these friends refer to as “the right thing to do”, they saved a woman’s life. Their actions inspired a local campus to start the No Woman Left Behind Campaign which is now a national movement that is helping students enact change on campuses throughout the country. No Woman Left Behind was established to educate communities about sexual assault and to create a culture that does not wait for someone else to take action.

Meet the young women who inspired the No Woman Left Behind movement that is helping students enact change on campuses throughout the country. Hear their extraordinary story and personal journey, and learn how you can be an active bystander.

For information about brining this fabulous trio to your campus send us an email at info@onestudent.org.

Happy Friendiversary!

2011-01-21T15:42:00.006-05:00

According to a friend of ours on facebook, this week is National Best Friends Week. While my internet fact checking came up with a different time of year to celebrate we decided to buck the system and get the party started early. Renegades? Maybe. Or just two best friends who have stood by one another for the past 21 years and always open to a reason to bust out some cake.

Just yesterday the topic of our friendship was the basis of an interview with a fabulous peer educator from Northwestern. She interviewed us for an article she’s writing (appearing soon on the OneStudent.org community wall). Her slant and insight are well beyond her years. Her focus was on the role we can all play as members of a survivor’s support system and she wanted our point of view on how we can all be better friends while respecting the disclosure process. We talked a lot about what an honor it is anytime someone trusts us enough to share that they have been sexually assaulted—a privilege Kelly nor I ever take lightly. I think it is important to remember that our friend is likely not disclosing to us because they expect us to have all the answers, but because they believe we will listen, that we will believe them and we will help them seek out support and resources. There is no one size fits all response, but showing up and keeping the focus on the survivor is a good place to start. It is ok not to know everything. It took us years to be this brilliant- kidding! We are all works in progress and knowing we can help to set a positive tone for someone’s recovery process is a beautiful gift. If someone discloses to you- you have earned their trust and should feel honored. If you want a more matter of fact list of suggestions to refer to if a friend discloses to you, here is the link to our resource on “How to Help a Friend”.

Seeking Student Leaders. Will you be the one?

2010-11-23T12:55:00.000-05:00

Program Development Internship -- Spring 2011

One Student is a nonprofit organization that provides students and their allies with programs, resources and opportunities to address sexual violence. We are seeking a driven, visionary thinker to assist in developing our primary and to help encourage students to enact lasting social change in communities throughout the country.

This is a chance to gain real experience in health education, organizational outreach and leadership development while promoting sexual assault awareness and healthy relationships in a positive, inclusive and creative manner.

Qualified applicants must be comfortable corresponding with all levels of campus community members and must have strong communication skills both oral and written.

The ideal candidate will be an articulate, creative and organized self starter. Prefer applicants with leadership experience who are passionate about sexual assault awareness, sexual health and sexual equality. Only sexually empowered individuals or those with the desire to become so need apply.

This is a part-time telecommute position. Start date is January 2011 and will conclude in May 2011. If desired, we will work with the student and university to ensure college credit is provided for the internship.

Please submit your resume and cover letter no later than 12/10/10 to info@onestudent.org with subject line: Intern Resume.

Position responsibilities will include the following:

• Correspond with and develop a working relationship with campus leadership, staff and student volunteers who are interested in or affiliated with One Student

• Recruit potential partners and volunteers

• Further develop and maintain volunteer database

• Identify and promote positive examples of students enacting change via the One Student network

• Contribute to educational outreach efforts via weekly community wall posts

• Contribute to assigned program development of No Woman Left Behind or Collegiate Consortium as needed

• Assist in managing Student Involvement committee of the No Woman Left Behind Advisory Board or Assist in establishing/ managing the annual calendar for the Collegiate Consortium

*Other responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

Happy Birthday One Student

2010-10-21T07:21:00.000-04:00

We have been on an extended and unintentional break from this blog and not that we're digging for excuses, but one of the reasons for our absence here is our latest project. We are happt to share with you that the first phase of the project is complete and the website is finally here! It’s like our baby is being born and these two mama’s could not be more excited or proud. One Student has been a dream of ours for years and to see it come to life is incredible. Thank you to our friends, family colleagues and fellow allies for all you have done to help turn the concept of One Student from wishful thinking into actuality and now streaming live for the world to see.

We look forward to developing the organization and working with you to help students and their allies enact change. So you’d think that after months of work (and meditation, hope and prayer) we could step back, relax and breathe just a little bit now that phase one of the website is finally here. Not a chance, we’re just getting started my friends and we are already working on phase two. Stay tuned!

We welcome your feedback and invite you to visit the Be The One tab and ask that you put your name with ours and sign the One Student pledge. By standing together we are sending a powerful message that One Student can make a difference and one sexual assault is too many.

Please pass the website and video along to everyone you know. Change starts with one student, one campus, one community and is literally just one click away. Come on, what are you waiting for? Click, share and be the one! OneStudent.org

8 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

2010-07-28T18:01:00.002-04:00

Whether you’re embarking on your first semester of campus life or returning for your fifth year, before you get the back to school party started take a few minutes to read eight things every student can do to better protect themselves from sexual violence and help reduce the number of sexual assaults on campus.

1. Trust your intuition; it’s your best defense. If you don’t trust someone or something there’s probably a reason. Listening to you inner voice can save your life.

2. Be prepared. Program any numbers that could aid you (or a friend) in a crisis or potential crisis into your cell phone in advance such as the counseling center, campus advocate, campus police, women’s center, resident assistant, etc.

3. Communicate. Have candid discussions with your roommates and friends about supporting one another, respecting your individual choices and keeping each other safe.

4. Express yourself. Be honest with your partner(s) about one another’s personal boundaries and know that it’s okay if they change.

5. Just 2 it. There’s nothing wrong with calling for back up. If you don’t feel comfortable walking alone ask a friend to join you or call a campus escort.

6. Use a DSP. If you choose to drink always have a trusted DSP (designated sober person). Discuss your boundaries and plans for the night in advance and stick with them.

7. Just say no. Do not have sex while you or your partner(s) are under the influence. Having sex with someone who cannot resist or say "no" because the person is drugged, drunk, passed out, unconscious, or asleep may be sexual assault

8. Speak up. One voice has power. If you uncover opportunities that could improve your campus/ community safety, speak up.

While there are things everyone can do to be proactive and make safety a priority it’s important to remember that no matter the circumstance sexual assault is never the survivors fault.

Helpful Vocabulary

Rape is forced sexual intercourse, including vaginal, anal or oral penetration. Penetration may be by a body part or an object. Anyone may be a victim of rape: women, men or children, straight or gay.

Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact such as sexual touching or fondling that occurs without consent. This may or may not include sexual intercourse as some states use this term interchangeably with rape.

Date rape or acquaintance rape is generally defined as forcible sexual contact by someone known to the victim (a friend, date, acquaintance, etc.).

Drug-facilitated sexual assault is generally used to define situations in which victims are subjected to nonconsensual sexual acts while they are incapacitated or unconscious due to the effects of alcohol and/or other drugs and are therefore, prevented from resisting and/or are unable to give consent.

women supporting women

2010-07-26T15:56:00.001-04:00

The word partner means a lot to both of us. We are very blessed to have loving partners at home who support our work and believe that if it takes an airplane to get us to where we need to be then they will be glad to hold down the fort until we return home. We also have been blessed with our friendship, which over the past 20 years has morphed into one of the most significant partnerships in each of our lives. So when we started to form partnerships through our work we thought long and hard about the standard. Do they have a strong value system regarding their work? Are they advocates for college students? Do they look to empower women? Would we be proud to put our name with theirs?

When the chance to form a partnership with Delta Gamma Women's Fraternity presented itself (read more here), we could not pass it up. Delta Gamma is a premier women's organization serving college age women and their alumnae. This is a new adventure for us but feels very familiar because for years, we have worked closely with members of the organization in chapters all over the country. Our Social Outreach Coordinator and former intern extraordinaire, Sabrina is a sister of DG and long before our blessed union took place they were supporting the No Woman Left Behind Campaign.

The philosophy of our work is that one student being sexually assaulted is too many and one student can help change their campus culture. So in the coming months as we meet more motivated DG's looking to be that "one student" who will leave her campus better than she found it we are filled with excitement considering the possibilities. We are honored and flattered to put our name with theirs and think it speaks volumes about a women's organization that is clearly committed to empowering their members and working to end sexual violence on campus.

RAINN: The Secret

2010-07-22T20:36:00.000-04:00

We've recently been given the opportunity to work with a group of girls who are younger than the high school and college age demographic that we're used to speaking with and so this PSA is expecially touching. While this piece is beautiful, encouraging and unfortunately necessary I can't help but have an extremely deep and irrational rage toward any person who would touch or harm a child in any way.

little blue buddha

2010-07-20T14:41:00.000-04:00

We moved into our new digs this week. Having a space aside from our respective home office’s feels good, strange, exciting and scary all at once, it’s kind of like when we moved into the dorms on campus together-- a new chapter in our lives with endless potential. Fast forward fifteen years and we are on chapter 27 or so and we’re roomies again! Sans the bunk beds, excessive use of contact paper and crate full of 10 for $1 Ramen.

We fully understand that an office is just a space, but right now it feels like so much more. It represents the next phase of our journey and with the help of many wonderful people who we respect, admire and adore, we are moving forward at full speed. Our for-profit work is taking an ambitious and creative ride. We’re partnering with several passionate people and organizations to share our message with the masses and help build a safer and more sexually empowered culture. Unite for Change is, well it’s changing. After years of wishing and planning the not-for-profit side of our work is now a much bigger focus. It feels like our professional dreams are within reach and that alone is worth celebrating. With a strict non-profit budget we decided on a small simple gift to ourselves to honor this new phase and sort of mark our new space, it’s a little blue Buddha statue that sits on our desk. It’s quirky, curious and absolutely perfect. The Buddha statue is said to symbolize enlightenment, belief and hope and while we don’t expect our teensy $5 desk ornament to be a sign of all these things it is a reminder that we will remain hungry for hope until everyone is fed.

Peace, love and enlightenment,
Kelly

New legislation will require cruise ships to carry rape kits and provide passengers with free, confidential access to 24 hour hotlines

2010-07-01T18:40:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to International Cruise Victims (and especially our pal Laurie Dishman), Rep. Matsui and to all the cruise victims, survivors and their families who have worked tirelessly to improve cruise ship safety. We are one step closer because of you!

Cruise ship security bill clears Congress
By Emanuella Grinberg, CNNJuly 1, 2010 8:26 p.m. EDT

(CNN) -- A bill that requires cruise ships to tighten security measures and report alleged crimes is awaiting President Obama's approval.

The Senate on Wednesday passed the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, after it received broad bipartisan support in the House with a vote of 416-4 last year.

Peepholes on cabin doors, rails no lower than 42 inches and information packets on how to report crimes are some of the changes commercial cruise passengers can expect to see after the legislation takes effect. Ships built after the legislation's passage also must be equipped with security latched and time-sensitive key technology.

The bill, authored by Rep. Doris Matsui, D-California, and Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts, applies to all ships that dock in U.S. ports. Those ships will also be required to immediately report incidents to the FBI or the U.S. Coast Guard, whether the incident occurs on the high seas or at port.

"Current law doesn't pass the test of providing common-sense security measures to the traveling public or to help protect them from crimes committed aboard ships," Matsui said in a statement Wednesday. "Moreover, current law does not provide the support victims and their families need in the event of a disaster. This legislation is critical to providing the security and safety measures that all Americans need and deserve."

The legislation originated with a letter from one of Matsui's constituents, who said she was raped during a Royal Caribbean cruise by a crew member in February 2006.

Laurie Dishman, who has gone public with her story before Congress, claims representatives of the cruise line made her collect sheets and clothing from her room and put them in a plastic bag. They did nothing more to help her, she said, and the FBI later told her that it would not investigate further because without proper evidence, it was simply a "he said/she said" case, according to her testimonial on the internationalcruisevictims.org.

Since then, a number of high-profile alleged assaults, disappearances and homicides have helped earn support for the legislation, Matsui spokeswoman Mara Lee said. Last year, a Los Angeles-area man was charged in July with murder in the death of his wife while on a cruise along the Mexican coast, and an Alabama woman celebrating her 50th birthday disappeared from a Carnival Holiday cruise ship.

Among the provisions in the bill related to sexual assaults: Ships are required to carry rape kits and a supply of medications to prevent STDs, along with medical staff trained to deal with assaults. The legislation also requires cruise ships to provide passengers with free, confidential access to 24-hour sexual assault hot lines.

Vessels also must keep a log of incidents and contact the nearest FBI field office "as soon as possible" after a homicide, kidnapping, assault or disappearance of a U.S. national is reported.

"Safety protections in this bill will significantly reduce passengers' risk of sexual assault and expand the rights of those sexually assaulted on board," said Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network. "By connecting cruise passengers with the support services available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline and Online Hotline, this legislation provides a vital lifeline for victims on cruise ships."
Matsui's office worked with the cruise ship industry in crafting the legislation, spokeswoman Lee said.

"Having a law that's not going to be carried through wouldn't make sense, so we've worked with them to make very common-sense requirements that they can put in place," she said.

Many of the requirements have already been implemented by the cruise ship industry, which has been working for years to improve passenger safety, said Oivind Mathisen, editor and co-publisher of the trade publication Cruise Industry News.

"This basically means that procedures that they have been implementing for the last several years have been formalized," he said. "The industry supports it because it's in its best interest that procedures are set down, so in case something happens, everybody knows what to do and there are no gray areas."

Mathisen said negative backlash against the industry generated by the disappearances of newlyweds and young revelers is undeserved at times, considering that anywhere from 12 million to 15 million people board commercial cruises each year.

"If you look at the total numbers, relatively few people are lost at sea. In the big picture, the numbers are small. But we understand that when you lose a loved one, there's not enough the industry can do to prevent it from happening again."

Paradise Protected...vacation safety tips

2010-06-12T13:14:00.001-04:00

Are your bags packed? Are you headed home, abroad, to visit friends, start an internship or a job? Before you go, please take ten minutes and add one more thing to your to do list. Before you head out to blaze new trails get educated in advance about emergency and support services in case you or someone you know needs them. Seems simple but too often we don’t think about these things until we are in crisis mode.

So before you go, program all local or campus emergency numbers in your phone (if you need help locating these e-mail us at info@uniteforchange.com). Have candid discussions with your new roommate, classmate, colleague, etc. about supporting one another, respecting your individual choices and keeping each other safe. Always use a DSP (designated sober person) and remember that we are all connected so if you see something that your intuition tells you is not kosher, safely intervene.

While sexual assault and violent crimes are never the victim's fault they are often times preventable. As bystander's (community members) it is our responsibility to help reduce these horrible acts by being aware, getting involved and helping to create a culture with zero tolerance for violence.

Our friend and fellow empowered sister, Laurie Dishman, Senior Vice President for International Cruise Victims was kind enough to take time to give us the scoop on cruise ship safety, so if you plan to cruise this summer please read this first.

An Interview with Laurie Dishman…

What numbers and contact information should I have on hand before traveling abroad or on a cruise? 1-800-656-HOPE National Sexual Assault Hotline and 1-202-324-3000 FBI.

What safety measure can I take in advance to plan for a safe trip?
First, read all materials in regards to your trip especially the ticket book you get when taking a cruise… check out information about percentage of crimes in that location, but if going on a cruise you will not find that information under any cruise line website so visit: www.internationalcruisevictims.org and www.cruiselawnews.com

What can I do if I feel that I’m not getting the services I need/ deserve?
If at any time you are feeling that you are not getting the services that you need or deserve that is a good time to use the numbers that I shared earlier. When traveling abroad and especially on a cruise ship you are under different countries laws and therefore you have to look out for yourself.

Who should I report a crime to and how?
When on a cruise ship you should immediately report the crime to the FBI even if it is by email. You can also reach out to RAINN hotline by phone 1-800-656-HOPE or online RAINN.org click on online hotline. After reaching out to them then you can report the crime to the ship’s captain. If you are abroad and a crime occurs you can also contact the U.S. Embassy in the country you are in.

For more cruise safety tips click here.

Hello Summer!

2010-06-01T13:06:00.001-04:00

The past several months have been exhilarating, exhausting, incredible, rewarding and challenging all rolled into one. Our spring tour took us to both familiar and new places and brought many wonderful people into our lives. With more than two dozen stops in all we experienced lots of unique moments to add to this fantastic journey that we both feel really lucky to call our life and we racked up some serious frequent flyer miles along the way. A lot of people ask us if we ever get tired of all the travel and while it can be tiring, we love it.

This semester our travel schedule pushed us to board one too many redeye flights and rise before the 4am hour more times than our bodies would have liked. We spent many o’ hours driving in rental cars down two lane highways in the middle of nowhere fully trusting in Carmen, our GPS to get us to the right place. We spent a lot of time in Delta Sky Club lounges across the country, mostly Atlanta airport, our home away from home. The complimentary Biscoff cookies and coffee do help make our mornings brighter.

There are perhaps just as many drawbacks as there are perks but at the end of the day, we are best friends who get to zigzag across the country together to do work that we happen to love and we have the opportunity to see new places, meet amazing people and even if just for a couple of hours, we get the chance to experience what life is like on a college campus in Missouri or on a military base in Colorado. It is an honor; a privilege and a dream come true to be able to live our passion and share our message and so the travel part for us although sometimes unique, it’s a part of our journey.

Thank you to everyone who made our spring spectacular and a special thanks to our tour sponsors Celect.org and Just In Case Inc.

The temperature’s rising and summer is in full swing and these 2 soul sisters on a mission are feeling energized, focused and more optimistic than ever about the future. We have several projects underway this summer that are steadily feeding our passion for change while taking our work to the next level (visit UniteforChange.com to see two of our new initiatives). We are eager to offer something new to the sexual assault education field and honored to be working with an incredible team of people to help make it all happen. Summer also means free Fridays for us! No work and all play one day a week to take a break and indulge in something we love with zero guilt about the e-mails piling up in our in-box or the undone to-do’s on our list. This Friday is going to be movie day for us and we’re thinking a back-to-back double dose of romantic comedy bliss is the perfect start to our new free Friday tradition.

Whatever projects or vacations you have in store in the coming months we hope you have an amazing summer filled with adventure, passion and endless opportunities.

2 Super Fab Opportunities

2010-05-03T15:53:00.000-04:00

Want to use your talent, gain experience and change the world in 3 short months?

Apply to be an intern with Unite for Change! There are currenlty two positions available for the summer term. We are accepting applications through May 10, 2010. Apply TODAY!

Graphic Design Internship

Unite for Change is looking to add a talented graphic designer to our team. Qualified applicant must have hands on experience in graphic design with some web design experience. Intern will work closely with the organization’s leadership and web-designer to help develop a fresh, clean and vibrant website.

The right candidate will have the opportunity to work in all aspects of marketing and brand development from logo design and business card layout to developing educational materials and web-design. The ideal candidate will be a creative, organized self starter who is able to think outside the box.

This is a part-time telecommuting intern position that will start date in May 2010 and conclude in August 2010. Position will provide opportunity for intern to build their professional portfolio and/ or earn college credit. This is a summer intern position but the right person has an opportunity to grow with the organization.

Please submit your resume and work samples to info@uniteforchange.com no later than 5/10/10 to with subject line: Graphic Design Internship. For more information about the organization visit www.uniteforchange.com www.uniteforchange.com

Program Development Internship

Unite for Change is launching a ground breaking outreach project for campus communities across Florida. We are seeking a driven, visionary thinker to assist in advancing this revolutionary initiative that will unite college students and communities to promote sexual assault awareness, healthy sexuality and sexual health. This is a chance to gain real experience in organizational outreach and leadership development while addressing sexual violence.

Qualified applicants must be comfortable working with various campus groups such as Res Life, First Year Experience, Student Government, Greek Life, and Athletics on college campuses across the state of Florida. Candidates must have strong communication skills both oral and written and have previously held or currently holding a leadership position on campus.

The ideal candidate will be an articulate, creative and organized self starter who is knowledgeable in sexual health and sexual violence reduction or possesses the skills and have an interest in learning about the issue(s).

This is a part-time telecommuting intern position. Position start date is May 2010 and will conclude in August 2010. Prefer applicants within the state of Florida but not required. If desired, we will work with the student and university to ensure college credit is provided for the internship.

Position responsibilities will include the following:
• Contribute to consortium program development
• Correspond with and develop working relationship with campus leadership, staff and student volunteers
• Assist in developing educational resources and organizational structure
• Create 2010/ 2011 meeting schedule and provide suggestions for monthly programs
• Help plan 2011 annual conference
• Assist in implementation of advisory board and student board

Please submit your resume and cover letter no later than 5/10/10 to info@uniteforchange.com with subject line: Program Development Intern. For more information about the organization visit http://www.uniteforchange.com/

BE THE CHANGE

2010-04-19T17:05:00.000-04:00

President Obama's Proclamation

2010-04-05T20:07:00.000-04:00

For Immediate Release April 01, 2010

Presidential Proclamation - National Sexual Assault Awareness Month

A PROCLAMATION

Every day, women, men, and children across America suffer the pain and trauma of sexual assault. From verbal harassment and intimidation to molestation and rape, this crime occurs far too frequently, goes unreported far too often, and leaves long-lasting physical and emotional scars. During National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we recommit ourselves not only to lifting the veil of secrecy and shame surrounding sexual violence, but also to raising awareness, expanding support for victims, and strengthening our response.

Sexual violence is an affront to our national conscience, one which we cannot ignore. It disproportionately affects women -- an estimated one in six American women will experience an attempted or completed rape at some point in her life. Too many men and boys are also affected.

These facts are deeply troubling, and yet, sexual violence affects Americans of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances. Alarming rates of sexual violence occur among young women attending college, and frequently, alcohol or drugs are used to incapacitate the victim. Among people with disabilities, isolation may lead to repeated assaults and an inability to seek and locate help. Native American women are more than twice as likely to be sexually assaulted compared with the general population. As a Nation, we share the responsibility for protecting each other from sexual assault, supporting victims when it does occur, and bringing perpetrators to justice.

We can lead this charge by confronting and changing insensitive attitudes wherever they persist. Survivors too often suffer in silence because they fear further injury, are unwilling to experience further humiliation, or lack faith in the criminal justice system. This feeling of isolation, often compounded with suicidal feelings, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder, only exacerbate victims' sense of hopelessness. No one should face this trauma alone, and as families, friends, and mentors, we can empower victims to seek the assistance they need.

At the Federal, State, local, and tribal level, we must work to provide necessary resources to victims of every circumstance, including medical attention, mental health services, relocation and housing assistance, and advocacy during legal proceedings. Under Vice President Biden's leadership, the 2005 reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act included the Sexual Assault Services Program, the first-ever funding stream dedicated solely to providing direct services to victims of sexual assault. To further combat sexual violence, my 2011 Budget doubles funding for this program. Through the Justice Department and the Centers for Disease Control, we are funding prevention and awareness campaigns as well as grants for campus services to address sexual assault on college campuses. The Justice Department has also increased funding and resources to combat violence against Native American women.

As we continue to confront this crime, let us reaffirm this month our dedication to take action in our communities and stop abuse before it starts. Together, we can increase awareness about sexual violence, decrease its frequency, punish offenders, help victims, and heal lives.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2010 as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I urge all Americans to reach out to victims, learn more about this crime, and speak out against it.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

KELLY & BECCA ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP WITH DELTA GAMMA

2010-03-25T08:53:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2010
Contact: Nicole Porter
Director of Communications
614-481-8169
nicole@deltagamma.org

Delta Gamma’s New Partnership Spreads the Word About Sexual Assault Awareness

Columbus, Ohio -- Delta Gamma Fraternity has partnered with an innovative speaking duo, Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder, (kellyandbecca.com) who are experts on sexual assault awareness, prevention and sexual empowerment. Kelly and Becca are nationally recognized for their achievements in sexual assault education and prevention. This partnership encourages opportunities to expose more collegiate and community audiences to the message.

Since 2003, Kelly and Becca have shared their message with hundreds of campuses, communities and national professional conferences reaching more than half a million people. In 2006, they founded Unite for Change, (uniteforchange.com) a global campaign to promote sexual assault awareness and prevention, sexual health and healthy sexuality. In 2009, they launched the popular educational tool Sexversations® and in 2010 they were honored to announce The No Woman Left Behind Campaign as their latest educational initiative.

According to Fraternity President Beth Searcy, "A key component of Delta Gamma's strategic plan is to cultivate partnerships to advance the mission of Delta Gamma. Kelly and Becca's program helps us create opportunities to have critical conversations about sexuality, alcohol, healing and hope. Sexual assault is a serious issue in our culture, particularly on our campuses, so Delta Gamma is proud to unite with Kelly and Becca in their vital message of empowerment."

In partnership with Delta Gamma Fraternity, Kelly and Becca aim to link individuals together to help build communities that are part of the solution to end sexual violence. Unlike any other program on the topic of sexual violence, Kelly and Becca use humor to inform and inspire. Using their signature three-step model, they teach participants how they can help reduce sexual violence. Armed with their personal experience, expertise and unique ability to relate to each member of the audience, their programs treat men and women as allies while focusing on the importance of communication, bystander intervention, personal responsibility and supporting survivors. With sexual empowerment as their platform they decode the toxic language surrounding sex and offer innovative ways to address alcohol, sex under the influence and date rape drugs. Always upbeat, their emphasis is on acknowledging that students are not the problem but the solution.

Founded in 1873, Delta Gamma is an international fraternity, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, consisting of more than 200,000 members. A leader among Greek organizations, Delta Gamma is dedicated to promoting educational and cultural interests and creating a true sense of social responsibility. Through the nationally recognized philanthropy, Service for Sight; award winning publication, The ANCHORA of Delta Gamma; and lauded risk management programming, Delta Gamma is committed to instilling the best qualities of character. For more information, please visit www.deltagamma.org.

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30 Second Rule?

2010-03-18T18:05:00.001-04:00

We've introduced you to Heather Corinna, Founder of Scarleteen a time or two before. She is one of the most brilliant sex positive educators out there and also happens to be one of our idols. We simply adore her and I just love the post on her blog today so wanted to share it with y'all here. If you have not been to Scarleteen.com you must go --now! Well, after you read this boldy honest, educated and considerate post by our sexually empowered sister, Heather.

How to Have Condoms "Interrupt" Sex By No More Than 30 Seconds

by Heather Corinna

My current partner recently got a vasectomy. Because we're also monogamous, well-past six months of monogamy and barrier use, and both are current with our STI testing -- the combination of things and time period I know massively reduces our STI risks -- that means we're not using condoms right now.

This is very unusual for me: in around 25 years of sexual experiences and many partnerships, the vast majority of the times I have had male partners, including long-term partners, there have been condoms. As someone who wants to be able to enjoy her sex life as much as possible, who knows preventing infection is part of that, and also as someone who can't use most other methods of birth control, condoms have been my BFFs.

I've never found them to be the drag some people frame them as. Rather, I often find myself perplexed by folks who frame them that way, even though I know as a sex educator that more often than not, the folks who do frame them that way either a) haven't even used them or have used them only very rarely, b) are copping that attitude because it's perceived as cool or macho, c) worry the pause for a condom may give a partner time to reconsider sex, or d) are into a level of risk-taking for themselves or partners that condoms curb. We can't accurately say condoms massively dull physical sensation (and we've got studies to show that clearly), but for sure, if people get off on sex posing high personal risk to themselves or their partners, condoms are going to seriously dull that buzz.

All the same, I know there are people outside of those situations and mindsets who experience them as a drag, particularly when it comes to how they feel condoms "interrupt" sex. Even in birth control literature comparing methods, we'll often see methods like condoms framed as "interrupting" things. That given, even though I have had condom-free experiences in the past and not found them anything to write home about, I was prepared to discover that walking into a change in my sex life where condoms absolutely were not needed, and also where I had a new birth control method that was as reliable as it gets and totally foolproof might give me some new insight on why some folks feel that way. I was prepared to be wrong: to find out that suddenly what I perceived as no interruption at all had been, in fact, more of an interruption than I realized.

Bzzzzt. So far, that's not what's happened. While I really do try to leave work out of the bedroom -- something that can be challenging when your work is so often all about what happens in the bedroom -- I couldn't help but notice something.

On the whole, the difference in time when it comes to getting from want-to-do-that to game-on, between using condoms and not using condoms? It's maybe around 30 seconds. If it's even that long.

So, this got me thinking. Why, then, do so many people make it sound like those seconds are many minutes or hours? Is there something special my partners and I have been doing over the years that made it so much more quick and easy? I'm not sure, but I figured I'd share some of the basics just in case.

Here's the list I came up with:

I keep condoms handy. Really handy. In the places where I tend to have sex more than others, there are plenty of condoms within arm's reach. I keep them in my bag or coat pocket if and when I'm going out and I suspect, even just slightly, sex may be something I may want to pursue. While keeping them around my house can be easier for me as an older adult not living with my folks, it seems to me that if you're hiding condoms from parents, you're hiding sex. It's a LOT easier to hide something as small as a few condoms than to hide something as big as having sex. So if you can figure out how to be sneaky with sex? You can figure out how to be sneaky with condoms.

If and when I think myself and a partner may be getting towards the kinds of sex where a condom is needed, I or they often pull the condom out then and put it within even closer reach. That action alone has often been the only condom negotiation, if you can even call it that, I have had to have. Almost always, when I do that and the time does come for condom use, my partners have just put it on with little more than a raised eyebrow or a few words first to be sure I wanted to have the kind of sex the condom was going on for. If I have wanted them used earlier than they reach for them, a simple, "Hey would you put that on now?" almost always suffices.

For the record, taking out or putting out a condom isn't a promise or guarantee you'll have sex of any kind: you still get to choose not to have any kind of sex at any time if you want to. If you worry your partners won't understand that or will make assumptions, talk it over. If you do talk it over and they still aren't getting the gist, you're probably better off kicking folks like that out of bed full-stop than keeping them around as a sexual or potential sexual partner.

I try and keep a variety of condoms around, especially if I don't know what a given partner likes already. That way, I can easily avoid someone seeing a condom brand they know hasn't felt good for them and being momentarily stumped. I even have the funny feeling that sometimes I may have had partners more inclined to use a condom just because they saw something new in my stash they hadn't tried yet.

How can you do that, too? Well, you can buy sample boxes with different styles at drugstores, or order samples mixes online. If you're strapped for cash, you could make a day of getting around to a few different public health department clinics and/or family planning (sexual health) clinics, and make yourself a pretty good collection from the free stash most have sitting out there for everyone to take.

I don't leave having condoms up to my partners. I've always kept condoms myself, both at home and when I'm out where sex seems at all possible. Because of that, I have a hard time thinking of a time when I've ever had that "Who's got a condom?" conversation. Instead, it's more a Quick Draw McGraw situation where it's just about who flips one out first. I usually win.

I know that practice makes perfect. If not perfect, way better. My current partner and I are old hands at this: we've both been using condoms regularly for longer than many of our Scarleteen readers have been alive. We both may well be quicker at opening them, getting them on, and lubing them up than some of you might be just because we've used them for longer. But that's not because we have special skills (in my case, quite the opposite, since I have a hand disability), it's just because we've had practice.

That's practice you can get for yourself, too. Male-bodied people don't have to start balding or have lots of sex partners or lots of partnered sex to get good at putting condoms on: that's something you can do all by yourself, at home, with or around your own masturbation. Since that's also a much lower-pressure environment than with a partner, I'd say spending some time learning that way could be awfully helpful.

For those of you sans-penis, while I know as someone who does condom demonstrations in-person that some of you might find those silly, one part people do unilaterally tend to value is having the chance to use a demonstration model yourself and get some of your own practice. If a sex educator is doing condom demonstrations and doesn't offer you the chance to have a few tries yourself, pipe up and ask! Feel free to use your humor if you feel uncomfortable about being the one to ask. Chances are good you won't be the only person in the room who wants to try, and a group giggle-fest around learning to put on a condom doesn't mean no one learns anything.

(Of course, there are also always those bananas in the kitchen, too.)

I don't have emotional or intellectual baggage about condoms. I ride in a car, I put on a seatbelt. I have sex, I use condoms and/or other latex barriers. One is no bigger a deal than the other for me, and neither makes me question my values, ideas, the way I feel about someone or who I am. Just like I don't have the idea that wearing a seatbelt means my experience of being in a car is somehow ruined or substandard, I don't think using condoms has any negative impact or even the potential for negative impact on my sex life. Quite the opposite.

I was talking to my friend Cory the other day about this, and we agreed that both having come of age using condoms pretty much right from the start of our sex lives, without any sense or idea that there was something weird about doing so, we both feel like we have a leg-up on those who didn't start out with safer sex at the gate; like using condoms has perhaps been easier for us for that reason, and not something we ever thought was somehow not how it should be. I don't have to work through my feelings about condoms when the time comes to use one, nor do I pause or hesitate to yank one out and toss it over out of fear, nervousness, or worry about what the other person will think. Using condoms is so normal for me that it's the times they DON'T get used where everything kind of stops for me and can interrupt what's going on with me sexually. (To my credit, I have yet to shriek "What the hell are you doing!?!" at my partner since we've entered the condom-free zone, something I was worried would happen out of habit. It still might, don't count me out just yet.)

If you have any kind of baggage around condoms, or get the impression your partners do, this is something else I'd suggest talking out and unpack together, ideally before you actually need to use condoms. Sometimes something as simple as each person saying to the other, "You know, I don't think condoms are any big deal and I'm always happy to use them without a fuss," can go a mighty long way.

Dumping any emotional or intellectual baggage around condoms can also mean that the amount of time it takes to put on a condom does not feel like a ticking clock where everyone is tense or awkward or worried.

On that note? I only have sex with people I really want to have sex with, when I really want to have sex with them and am comfortable having sex with them and when I get the strong impression the same is true for them about me. If we didn't really want to be having sex with each other, had reservations, or just weren't fully feeling it, it would certainly be a lot easier for those 30 seconds to feel like 3 hours. If we weren't really into each other and comfortable being together, it would be harder to fill that time with either other sexual activity, like masturbation, for instance, or like turning putting condoms on into something just as sexual as any other part of sex, or with comical or comfortable conversation.

If you have ever sat through a 40-minute class with a teacher you can't stand, or on a subject that bores you to tears, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You can feel whole LIFETIMES pass during those kinds of 40 minutes.

I have always had every expectation condoms would be used. It's never been a question mark for me; a "Will we? Will he?" It's always been a given: if he wants to have sex with me, he will use a condom. If I want to have sex with him or her, I will use a latex barrier. I've said it before here elsewhere, and anyone who has had this conversation with me in person has had the not-so-dubious distinction of having me demonstrate Condom Face in the flesh: a look on one's face one can have that a partner sees and just knows you have every confidence they'll put a condom on. In my experience, when someone perceives it's not a question for you, but a given, and they can see that right on your face, they treat it like a given. That not only better assures condoms will be used, it cuts down on the time it takes to just get the condom on. (The actress in this video makes said face a few times, for the record. She also demonstrates clear expectations her partner would put on a condom, and the requisite shock and awe when he will not.)

The way I see it, sex is no place to be shy. If I'm un-shy enough to be having sex with someone, I'd better be un-shy enough to have, present and use condoms. If I ever feel too shy to do that? I figure I feel too shy with that person or in that situation for sex, and that's that.

I don't see condom use as any kind of interruption at all: I see it as one of many common parts of sex. I used bunny ears around "interrupt" today for a reason, and that's because I think that language and framing is...well, kind of big stupid.

Why? Because sex gets "interrupted" for a millions reasons. Someone has to pee. We're changing positions, shifting to or negotiating another activity. The dog barks. The phone or doorbell rings. Someone wants to stop the action to smell (or really look at) the roses, as it were. Something funny happens and everyone can't stop laughing for a few minutes. Someone gets a leg cramp. We want to stop and talk something out. We want to pause to verbally express that something feels amazing or that something hurts. We need to add more lube, or drop the lube bottle and have to hunt for it under the bed. We need to grab and put on a condom. We need to check or change the condom. We forgot we left the oven on. Someone knows it seems like the worst timing ever, but they just totally have to tell you this thing RIGHT NOW they heard the other day that was so fascinating (though it may only be me who does that). We need to jump up and do a silly dance in the middle of everything just because we feel that freaking good and absolutely cannot help ourselves. We just need a few minutes to catch our breath. As you get older, you will probably find you need to catch your breath even more often. Same goes with the peeing. And the goofy dancing.

For sure, you could view some or all of those things as interruptions, but since they're all also often part of so many of our sexual experiences so much of the time, you could also just view them, including condom use, as part of sex and not as interruptions at all. I suggest the former.

All in a days work

2010-03-09T17:36:00.001-05:00

It blows my mind, breaks my heart and frustrates my feminist soul beyond belief to hear people respond to the description of a sexual assault scenario with comments like this--

“This seems to be the norm…it’s just how it is, you know the sexual culture in 2010…The guy may have acted like a jerk that night but there didn’t seem to be anything that would indicate that he’s a rapist.”

On this particular day I want to shout, “Are you fucking kidding me?” as I violently throw my hands in the air. But instead I pause, because a) violence is not the answer and b) as good as it might feel to scream right now, an angry reaction takes my power to educate away. I say to myself, "deep breaths Kelly, deep breaths" and I can feel and almost hear Becca calming me down even though she has not spoken a word.

And once again, the conversation to help transform our culture begins. Today the discussion leaves me feeling drained. My body is worn-out and my spirit feels defeated. But no matter how tired I feel I will not give up. We will not give up. Tomorrow will be here soon enough and there is so much work to be done.

Still hopeful, determined and focused.
xox-
Kelly

Want your organization to be better online?

2010-03-01T15:52:00.000-05:00

A Message from our Title Sponsor

As Kelly and Becca's title sponsor, Celect.org is grateful for the opportunity to support their tireless efforts towards educating the fraternal and collegiate community about sexual assault awareness and prevention. Just as Kelly and Becca are building a network of communication and support, Celect.org is building a web-based network of communities, organizations, and groups that connect people throughout the world at the click of a button, while individually empowering each member with the tools to educate and communicate with each other throughout their lives. Through our innovative platform, Celect.org can help you grow, manage, and succeed online unlike any other system available. Best of all, the Celect platform is offered at a special price to all of Kelly and Becca's friends so be sure to mention them when contacting us so you're eligible for the exclusive offer!

Your organization can do more, and better, online, and we're here to show you how Please visit http://www.celect.org/ or call one of our friendly representatives at 888-882-3532 888-882-3532 to learn more about how Celect.org can empower your community, organization, or group today!

Do you know enough about date rape drugs?

2010-02-25T10:15:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Kim Northup, Unite for Change Creative Director (and one of our favorite sexually empowered posse members) for the heads up on the USA Today article below.

Date rape drugs are bad news bears for sure, but there are things you can do to protect yourself if you know what to look for. Learn how you can help keep yourself and your friends safe by using one of our free educational tools at UniteForChange.com- Preventing Drug Facilitated Assaults.

U.N. report warns of alarming rise of 'date-rape drugs' worldwide

A new U.N. report on narcotics use says 'date-rape drugs" are on the rise worldwice.

The report from the International Narcotics Control Board says "the abuse from prescription drugs is greater in some countries than from heroin, cocaine and ecstasy combined."

Read the full report here.

The report says the "date-rape drug" phenomenon "is evolving rapidly, as sexual abusers attempt to circumvent more rigorous drug controls by using substances not restricted by the international drug conventions."

An excerpt:
What is alarming is the unscrupulous way in which those drugs are used upon unwitting victims — the drugs, which are usually disguised in food or drinks, are introduced in dosages that are significantly higher than the dosages used for therapeutic purposes —a practice which entails serious health risks for the victims. Sexual assault crimes are often committed in public places such as bars, restaurants, nightclubs but also in private surroundings.

It says stricter control measures by governments, in close cooperation with the pharmaceutical industry, have been shown to be effective in the past to curb the abuse of some of the "date-rape drugs" and that such measures should be stepped up.

Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl | Video on TED.com

2010-02-17T08:29:00.000-05:00

Eve Ensler: Embrace your inner girl Video on TED.com

Thanks to Michelle for passing this along.

In this passionate talk, Eve Ensler declares that there is a girl cell in us all -- a cell that we have all been taught to suppress. She tells heartfelt stories of girls around the world who have overcome shocking adversity and violence to reveal the astonishing strength of being a girl.

GIRL POWER!

Take a peek. It's worth the 19 mniutes and 55 seconds!

schoolchildren think violence against women is acceptable

2010-02-15T18:14:00.000-05:00

Football for boys and dolls for girls seems pretty innocent but could this also be a reason that children grow up thinking that violence against women is okay? The article below from BBC News sites a recent study in Scotland but I think it's pretty fair to say that this is likely the attitude of many children throughout the world.
What do you think?

Violence against women is justified, says pupil study

A study of schoolchildren has found that most of those questioned thought violence towards women was acceptable if there was a reason behind it.

The majority of the pupils said it was justified if the woman had an affair, or if she was late in making the tea.

The study by a researcher from Edinburgh Napier University also suggested that girls expect to curtail ambitions once they are married. The research involved 89 primary seven children at five Glasgow primaries.
The 11 and 12-year-olds were questioned in depth about their attitudes and aspirations towards gender roles and behaviour.

They were asked to consider whether or not a man was justified in punching his partner when he found out she had had an affair.

Nearly all of the children thought that the woman deserved to be hit.

In another scenario, about 80% of the children said a man had cause to slap his partner because she did not have the dinner ready on time.

Researcher Nancy Lombard described the findings as "worrying" because the youngsters had naturalised and normalised violent behaviour.

She said: "The children didn't agree with violence, but gave reasons to try to justify it if the woman had done something 'wrong'.

"The old saying of 'If he pulls your pigtails it means he likes you', translates into violence in adulthood which girls accept as normal."

Narrow expectations

The study also suggested that girls expected to modify their behaviour and narrow expectations once they were married and had children.

One of the girls said: "I want to be a dancer or a doctor."

But she added: "When I grow up I'm going to have two babies and work part-time in the shop down the road."

Ms Lombard said that sexual stereotypes were limiting and modifying girls' behaviour to accommodate boys and men.

She said: "All the girls said they don't get much of the playground because the boys dominate the space. They are still told they can't play football because they are a girl."

Ms Lombard called for work with children to start early to encourage respectful relationships, challenge violent behaviour and break down gender stereotypes.

The findings of the study will be presented at a conference in Glasgow on Wednesday which has been jointly organised between Scottish Women's Aid and Napier University.

Edinburgh Women's Aid spokeswoman Suzanne Moran called for more education on violence towards women: "These findings, in effect, reflect that these attitudes are still widely held in Scotland.

"Studies like these reveal that there is still much to be done to eradicate ingrained beliefs that women are to blame for violence perpetrated against them."

Rickety planes and snow storms will not stop us!

2010-02-04T17:54:00.010-05:00

ATL to CHO was on a medium to smallish size plane and we were in the exit row. After hearing a strange clatter shortly after take-off, rather than our usual nap we talked about how we would react if the door flew open during flight. We discussed several safety plans and even acted out one or two of them before squeezing in a lil' slumber before arriving in VA. I woke up to what sounded like a thud on the wing of the plane and when I opened my eyes I saw that the compartment in the exit row that read "emergency life line for crew use only" had popped open. I really don't think these are supposed to open, so naturally I was slightly concerned. I pointed to it when the flight attendant passed by and she said, "oh it's okay." I gave her a very concerned look and she just smiled and walked away. Soon after our brief exchange the cool as a cucumber flight attendant seemed to be a little annoyed with my flash photography on the plane (and of the plane) but I really felt like I needed to capture some sort of evidence in case we all went down in a blaze of glory. Yes, this is really how my mind works.

10 minutes later we landed safely in Charlottesville and just as the snow storm began so did our drive to Harrisonburg. For two chics from Florida we're pretty good about driving in the snow.

We got to JMU in time to have dinner on campus with a handful of the Exec members of C.A.R.E. They are so fantastic! We had a great program and met lots of incredible students who are working tirelessly to make their campus a safer place. It's students like this (pictured below) that inspire us to keep going. A humungous thank you to Kelly Johnson, President of C.A.R.E. and to the entire C.A.R.E. posse for making us a part of your semester. It is an absolute honor to work with you all!

Because we "heart" you!

2010-02-04T10:31:00.000-05:00

In honor of Cupid's favorite day we have two lovely specials for you!

Nothing says Happy Valentine’s Day like fantastic freebies.

Book a program by February 14th and receive a sexually empowered swag package (below). All of these items combined are valued at over $2,000 but because we have so much love to give we want you to have them for free.

•Twelve Just In Case® intimacy compacts

•Deck of Sexversations®

•Sexversations® Facilitator's Manual

•Sexversations® train the trainer consultation

For available program dates and booking information please contact The College Agency.

A Valentine's Day gift that’s so much more than a box of chocolates.

Classic Conversations Gift Pack

The perfect way to start a very important conversation. Just In Case® Intimacy compacts and Sexversation® cards together can encourage honest and healthy conversations about sex and sexual health. Together for a value cost of $29.95! (MSRP $39.95)

Order yours today! Please use discount code LOVEWELL for a discount on the entire order plus if you spend over $50 shipping is free.

xox-

Kelly & Becca

NOLA native talks about how you can help end violence against women

2010-01-31T22:38:00.001-05:00

Wayne Barnes took the time to answer the question, what can men do to help end violence against women? He thinks it’s really pretty simple, “Acknowledge that sexism exists, get involved in your community and do the right thing by standing up for women.”

Wayne, a member of the Institute Training Team is just one of the amazing folks we got the chance to meet at the A Call to Men Institute in Tallahassee last week. A call to Men is a leading national men’s organization addressing men’s violence against women, and the eradication of sexism. They help organize communities in order to raise awareness and get men involved in ending violence against women. To learn more about their work and how you can be a part of the solution to end violence against women visit their website- http://www.acalltomen.com/

where is your line?

2010-01-28T15:23:00.006-05:00

An important focus for Unite for Change in 2010 is to bring activists, seekers and leaders some really fresh, poignant works of art (which will include but is not limited to music, film, dance, painting, sculpture and theatre) that will engage others in a dialogue of violence prevention. Several of these items along with other innovative products and educational goods will be listed in a new section of our web site, titled Creative Goods. This will be a go to place for folks looking for anything from a great book or sexually empowered merchandise to works of art that will help reach audiences in a way that is engaging and thought provoking.

Pieces like Nancy Schwartzman’s film, THE LINE is of the caliber of what we are highlighting. The film asks, where is your line of consent? Seems simple, right? In a world growing up with no means no and messages and undertones that dismantle that belief, the idea of what consent is becomes muddled at best.

Enter Nancy.

Nancy tells her story of how she was raped by a man she had consensual sex with and compares her experience to her friend, who was raped by a stranger. She beautifully calls into question why association (although this is very likely given most rapists are not strangers) makes survivors and society often ask if it was really rape. Nancy goes as far as to return to Israel and confront her rapist on camera. He does not feel like he has done anything wrong but maybe it was sex that went too far. Ask yourself, when did we even allow “sex that went too far” to be anything other than rape? When did that become okay? Another reason this film is so important.

THE LINE is powerful because not only did it move us when we viewed it, but it has stayed with us and we think it will do the same for you. Part of the films strength comes from the experts Nancy interviews such as the well known attorney Brett Sokolow and a sex worker at the infamous Bunny Ranch. It may seem odd or ironic to have a lawyer who is an expert on sexual assault and a sex worker help establish a clear line of consent but they both contribute important messages to the film, including how much work there is to do in fully understanding consent and sex. In this film (around 30 minutes) Nancy takes us full circle on her journey. She is candid, honest, likeable and funny. The style of the film will help engage all types of people in the discussion about, sex, sexual assault and consent; a conversation that needs to take place far more frequently.

Our suggestion…

Reach out to Nancy. Say hello. Invite Nancy to your campus or community to discuss her documentary with you. Or check out where she is headed by visiting her web site http://www.thelinemovie.org/. Don’t miss a great opportunity to check out a fully endorsed Creative Good that helps break down the barriers of discussing consent in a way that is inclusive and insightful.

Nancy Schwartzman, writer, filmaker and activist

Southern Comforts

2010-01-27T20:11:00.000-05:00

Kick'n off the spring tour with our favorite road trip snack, boiled peanuts and a carbonated beverage. Something we've been enjoying together for 20 years...so the throw back Pepsi seemed more than appropriate.

Like Willy says, on the road again.

Justice for Rape Survivors

2010-01-26T20:12:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Change.org for posting this...

Tell Congress to Pass the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009.

Targeting: The U.S. House
Started by: Roxann MtJoy

To address the national crisis of untested rape kit backlogs -- estimated at 180,000 -- Representatives Al Franken (D-MN), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) have introduced the Justice for Survivors of Sexual Assault Act of 2009 to the House of Representatives.

This bipartisan bill would regulate grants funds earmarked for the DNA testing of rape kits, implement financial incentives for jurisdictions to aggressively attack and eliminate their backlogs, provide for a national system for collecting data on rape kits, and eliminate the appalling practice of having the victims of sexual assault pay for their own rape kits.

Tell your Representative that you want them to support the Justice of Survivor of Sexual Assault Act of 2009. It's super easy, just click here.

How far have we come?

2010-01-12T16:00:00.000-05:00

Last week Becca and I had a chance to catch up with our favorite mother-daughter duo Marsha Bartenetti and Rachael Sudul, creators of JUST IN CASE and our conversation turned into a girl power pow wow – we love it when that happens! Marsha was kind enough to put some of her thoughts on paper and we are pleased to be able to share them with you.
Thanks Marsha for your righteous spirit, endless passion and for being fearless!

My daughter and I attended Maria Shriver’s Women’s Conference this past couple of days – and were exhibitors of our product JUST IN CASE® - Attended by approximately 10,000 women – I admit I had high expectations that as an exhibitor of our revolutionary product JUST IN CASE – the first product of its kind on the market: a chic and discreet mirrored compact with a hidden compartment that holds condoms. I believed we would reach our target market and that women would – because of the dire statistics surrounding sexual health – like STD’s HIV/AIDS - they would absolutely get the power of this groundbreaking trend.

The level of STD cases is up to a horrifying 1 in 4 teenage girls – not to mention the women who are in the Baby Boomer demographic – who also have contracted STD’s – and the epidemic of HIV/AIDS cases in this country…the number #1 killer of Black women in America - is it still okay to giggle at the mention of a condom?

Honestly, Ladies…how far HAVE we come?

I found myself getting more and more hostile with each passing giggle. And some of the responses to the discovery of what our product actually was were shocking to me. For instance, “Well, my daughter is 15 but I don’t want to ADVOCATE….(sex)” as she walks past our booth…

Or, “Oh, I have 17 and 18 year old daughters and I know they aren’t having sex…I couldn’t possibly give them one of these. They are SO busy with school and everything they don’t have time for boys!”

During this conference…Architects for Change…

I was disappointed at best at the number of women who were acting like the condom was the plague....and I admit I thought the level of consciousness would be high at this event and that women would surely “get” our product and message. To absently reject our product and what we had to say about actually GIVING their daughters a condom with silliness and jokes about condoms is like throwing our daughters under the bus.

When are we going to stop the madness and get our heads out of the sand?

Now don’t get me wrong – I am in the “for profit” business – however – I know the value of our product...and as agents for change- and I know the power of trend.

And in spite of all the information out there about being protected, etc. the statistics tell us otherwise – and the voice of this information is so loud…remember 1 in 4 teenagers has an STD?...It is SCREAMING in our ears to wake up!

And yet – women…and this is what is so mind boggling to me…insist on giggling… when they mention or hear the name condom! And they stay in denial pretending that they don’t have to worry about THEIR daughters being sexually active.

Granted not EVERY young teen is sexually active…but for God’s sake….millions are …and for some, it may be killing them…or perhaps keep them from ever having children because of becoming sterile through contracting an STD.

We offer a way for women of all ages who are sexually active – to have a beautiful way to stay protected and a way they will feel good about actually carrying a condom. WE consider the sensibilities of women with every design we do and know the requirements of style women have and their need for discretion….its in our DNA.

We know that innately women are modest when it comes to intimate details and are often too embarrassed to carry condoms.

So they don’t.

And they are passive about trusting their partner will be carrying protection. And are often shy about making sure he does. They hold on to the romantic ideal that if he “loved’ her he would be sure he was safe…and that if he doesn’t have a condom...he must be without disease.

Unfortunately – this can be like a game of Russian roulette!

Sexual explicit images are everywhere –Billboards, magazines, television, film, I guess all of that is okay? Especially for the young minds who soak up everything around them?

When did we stop protecting our young? - Don’t you think it’s possible that by normalizing these images – we “normalize” risky sexual behavior?

We are a society of celebrity idolizers – in spite of the crazy behavior many of them exhibit – domestic violence issues – are we to “normalize” this, as well?

The apology lists of these actions are frankly becoming rote and without consequence. Unfortunately, risky sexual behavior DOES have consequences.

If we are to change this paradigm of behavior – and turn the statistics back to the favor of our daughters/friends/relatives…lowering the statistics of cases of STD’s and HIV/AIDS...and unplanned pregnancy…and bringing a sense of self love and respect back – and healthy senses of shame - then we have to change the way we think about talking with our daughters.

We must LOVE THEM MORE THAN WE FEAR TALKING WITH THEM frankly about sexual behavior and risks.

Talk openly and talk often – even if they “roll their eyes” at you for being “gross”. Help them raise their personal requirements including their sexual health and choices.

It’s Time.

To be Fearless in 2010.

Brewing Up Goodness in 2010

2010-01-06T14:04:00.001-05:00

No more green bean casserole, no more holiday lights and no more mistletoe, but we are not sad, not even a little bit. We have been waiting for 2010 because we plan to blow the doors off this incredible New Year. We’re brewing up some exciting projects and programs for 2010 and hope to share them with you, your campus and communities.

As part of our New Year's resolution's we have committed to contribute a portion of the proceeds from every program we present towards providing free sexual assault awareness education, tools and resources through Unite for Change and other organizations that rock our world and make it a better place. Learn more about who we are supporting in our e-news (subscribe here).

To kick things off we’re offering a smoking deal:

Book a spring program by January 22 and save $1,000 off the regular program honorarium. Can you say, Happy New Year?

From our family to yours thank you for your continued support. You help make it possible for us to continue working towards eradicating sexual violence, empowering others to stand up and speak out for sexual equality and empowerment and to unite campuses and communities to create lasting change.

xox

Kelly & Becca

SEX + MONEY: A National Search for Human Worth

2010-01-05T22:04:00.000-05:00

Check out this wonderful work happening here in America. It's a beautiful response to something so horrid and a remarkable inspiration for change.

http://www.sexandmoneyfilm.com/

Does sex sell movies? Uh, not really

2009-12-30T07:32:00.000-05:00

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

December 29, 2009 1:39 p.m. EST

(CNN) -- When it comes to movies, it may be that sex doesn't sell.

A recent study concluded that nudity and explicit sex scenes don't translate to success for major motion pictures.

"Sex Doesn't Sell -- nor Impress! Content, Box Office, Critics, and Awards in Mainstream Cinema" examined more than 900 films released between 2001 and 2005.

The study found that, contrary to popular belief, sex and nudity failed to positively affect a film's popularity among viewers or critics and did not guarantee big box office receipts.

One of the study's co-authors, Dean Keith Simonton, said theirs was the largest sample of its kind used for film research. The results surprised him, he said.

"Sex did not sell, whether in the domestic or international box office, and even after controlling for MPAA rating," said Simonton, who is a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis. "In other words, even among R movies, less graphic sex is better."

The top-grossing films in the study included movies like "Shrek 2;" "Spider-Man;" "Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," all of which contained mostly minor to mild sex and/or nudity.

Simonton said the research went beyond others in that it also examined other forms of "objectionable" material that might earn a film an R rating including violence.

The study was prompted by an experience almost a decade ago of its co-author, Anemone Cerridwen.

Cerridwen had been taking acting classes and increasingly became uncomfortable with some of the sexualized content she was encountering. That led her to consider the work experiences of film actresses and the pursuit of data about the lucrativeness of sex in movies.

"I assumed sex sold, and wanted to know by how much," Cerridwen said. "I braced myself for the worst, and got quite the surprise."

Craig Detweiler, director of the Center for Entertainment, Media and Culture at Pepperdine University, said the study's findings reflect the culture's post-sexual revolution sensibilities.

"Nothing is as shocking anymore," Detweiler said. "You can see it in Britney Spears' kiss with Madonna and Janet Jackson's Super Bowl performance. Things that were a big controversy among some, the next generation kind of yawned at it."

Rather, Detweiler said, he has seen among his students that the new form of rebellion against the older generation includes "not doing drugs, not sleeping around and not getting divorced." That might explain the popularity of some of the Jane Austen films and movies like the "Twilight" series, he said.

"Those stories are really about sexual separation," he said. "They are all about wooing, not winning."

Tom Jacobs, staff writer for the academic research periodical Miller-McCune, wrote about the study and said there has long been the belief that the many young males who make up movie audiences are enthralled by female nudity.

"These researchers really put that belief to the test and crunched the numbers," Jacob said. "What I took from the study is that a hint of sex is perhaps more enticing than out-and-out nudity."

The study's authors are hopeful that their findings will have some impact on moviemaking.

Simonton said he has had one inquiry from a researcher at a major studio that he declined to name, though he has no idea if the studio plans on acting on the data.

Cerridwen said she thinks movies continue to be influential on the public and believes their study could also have an influence, especially if other academics pick up the torch and continue the research. Until then, she hopes Hollywood takes notice.

"I do believe that there are a fair number of people in the film industry who want to make better films, and this study may give them some ammunition," she said. "I know that Hollywood has been trying to make more family-friendly films for a while (since the '90s) and it seems to be helping ticket sales, so my guess is that this research would complement that."
---------------------

So the actual act of sex is not what sells, its partial nudity and the idea of fantastic sex that sells. Makes sense to me. What do you think?

April will be here before you know it

2009-12-10T18:21:00.000-05:00

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and NSVRC (National Sexual Violence Resource Center) just announced that their SAAM materials for 2010 are currently available on-line. These are excellent resources and they are free -- just in time for the holidays!

Check it out and pass it on.

The NSVRC is pleased to announce new resources for the 2010 Sexual Assault Awareness Month campaign! The 2010 theme is “Prevent Sexual Violence…on our campuses” and we have provided a variety of materials to assist you in planning your SAAM activities and events, both on and off campus. All materials are available online at www.nsvrc.org/saam. There you will find all the campaign materials for 2010 and materials from previous years and other organizations, arranged in categories for ease of use. If you would prefer to receive the materials on CD, please contact the NSVRC at 877-739-3895, ext. 118, or email Lauren Sogor, Prevention Campaign Specialist, at lsogor@nsvrc.org.

Want more free stuff? You can go to Unite for Change for campaign ideas and educational resources. If you would like help choosing an awareness or prevention project that will work best for your campus communnity or creating a one of a kind program perfect for your campus just shoot us an e-mail at info@kellyandbecca.com we are more than happy to help.

B.F.F.

2009-12-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

People always ask us how long we’ve known each other and how we met. This past year Becca and I realized that we have been friends longer than some of the students we work with have been born. That’s depressing and wonderful all in one. Anyhow the story of how Kelly and Becca came to be goes a little something like this…

In January of 1990 the World Wide Web did not exist yet. Cell phones were mostly for doctors, attorneys and Zack Morris. We were still watching the Cosby Show on Thursday nights and thanks to Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure everyone was saying "dude" and most girls we knew were crazy for a man twice their age, Patrick Swayze of Dirty Dancing fame. Everyone was begging Mc Hammer, Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em, Tone Loc was gett'n funky with the Cold Medina and Vanilla Ice, was busy rolling in his 5.0. All the cool kids were sporting labels like Guess, Z Cavarichi and The Limited. Hair was tall and crunchy thanks to mass amounts of aerosol hair spray, this is likely about the same time scientists started to become concerned with the condition of the ozone. This is also the time that a twist of fate brought two strangers together that now almost 20 years later could no not imagine life without the other.

Kelly was the new kid on the block.

In the 9th grade I transferred high schools half way through the year. I knew one person in the entire school, who I was relying on to show me around, introduce me to new friends, save me a seat in the cafeteria and all the other important stuff that comes with attempting to fit in. On my first day at Pinellas Park High School I was excited about a fresh start but mostly nervous about being noticed as the “new girl.” On Monday morning, I was working my way down the hallway feeling pretty confident when suddenly I was distracted by the loudest voice I had ever heard. It was this girl talking to a group of students who appeared to be the “popular crowd.” She had her finger pointing, her neck rolling and she was flipping her hair too; this girl was really working it out. I walked by trying not to stare and the girl doing all the talking walked towards me, threw her arm around me and said, “Hey, you’re Kelly! Great hair, nice pants, love the shoes, oh I’m Becca it’s great to meet you. I’m going to need your class schedule to coordinate note passing and locker meetings. My locker’s down in the senior section. I have connections and I figure we can share lockers cause who knows where they’re going to put you. Oh my God, I can’t believe I didn’t tell you this first Kelly, I hear that Mike Winters is hot for you already! Is that exciting or what? Dude, lets walk.”

Lots of information, I know, but what’s even more impressive is that I’m pretty certain she got everything out in one breath. I was overwhelmed and honestly a little scared but mostly happy about meeting a new friend. I handed Becca my schedule, she grabbed me by the arm and started guiding me down the hallway. About two seconds later she screamed, “Awesome, we totally have third period together, the class is kind of boring but at least we’ll be together.” We stopped outside of a classroom doorway that I assumed was our Language Arts class. Becca introduced me to a couple kids as they were walking in and we hung out until about ten seconds before the bell rang. So far, the only thing I could see that I had in common with Becca was teased bangs that defied gravity.

Once we got into the classroom Becca said hello to the girl sitting in the desk next to her, paid her a couple of quick compliments and then asked if she would switch seats with me so that we could sit together since I was new and all. The girl did not seem to mind and so I sat next to my new friend Becca who clearly knew how to make things happen. She continued to inform me of all the clubs and organizations I had to join, where to sit in the cafeteria, how to get out of certain classes a little early and most importantly, she told me all about her new boyfriend. Even though it had only been 3 days, she was sure he was “the one.” She started talking about plans for the weekend as the teacher was walking towards the front of the classroom. Class began and I finally had a moment to take a deep breath and relax a little bit. A few minutes into third period Language Arts with Mr. Buchus I started thinking that my first day at PPHS wasn’t going to be that bad.

Meeting that day remains one of the most pivotal moments in our lives. We both always wanted a sister and here we found one in each other, the fact that we wore the same size shoes was merely a bonus. From that moment on we grew up together, we have shared all of life’s moments both big and small. What makes our friendship so special besides the fact that we can finish each others sentences is that without hesitation the good, the bad and everything in between we will always be there for one another. Our friendship is truly a matter of two souls meeting and realizing that we are actually family.

"Lived loudly, loved fully, slept soundly."

2009-12-06T13:18:00.000-05:00

I love unconventional magazines, the ones who proudly divert from the herd, Ode mag is one I dig. So I did as any networked gal (or guy) would do I joined the FB fan page. There I found this neat little ditty now cut and pasted below.

Writing your life story in six words or less.

I dug it, was moved by it and for good measure I have included mine both here and in the title.

I would love for you to do the same.

"Lived loudly, loved fully, slept soundly."

xox

Becca

###

Michael Sean Symonds, an avid Ode reader, posted this question to the Ode Exchange Six word memoir

If had to write the story of your life as it was, is and as you hope it to be, in six words or less what would you say? What words, impulses, visions, themes, experiences, thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, dreams, desires, losses, hurts, perceptions, fears, and associations would you express within those few words or sentence? What unspoken words would be shared? What would be denied or implied in the gaps between those words and thoughts?

Here are a couple of my favorites that people came up with:

Everything happens just at it should

Enjoyable ride, still learning to steer

Intellectual gypsy, tired of peeling onions

There was love around every corner

Lived, loved, lost, learned, loved again

Big hair, big heart, big hurry

What's your six word memoir

"The Journey" unfolded

2009-12-03T16:33:00.001-05:00

Sabrina shared the article below and video about Emma Thompson’s interactive art exhibit on Trafficking with me earlier this week noting the powerful images and suggesting it would be a good post for the blog (thanks Bina!). I’ve watched the piece several times and am amazed at the way the artists are able to bring life to these horrific stories of sex trafficking without losing the most powerful message, for me anyway and that message is hope.

If you have 5 minutes please watch the video of Emma Thompson who walks viewers through her brilliant project which shares a young woman’s personal story of sex trafficking.

Emma Thompson’s ‘Journey’ Exhibit Spotlights Sex Trafficking
Huffington Post 11/9/09

Two-time Academy Award-winning British actress Emma Thompson is focusing her attention on the issue of human trafficking of women and young girls by co-curating an interactive New York City art exhibit titled Journey.

In an interview with "Good Morning America," Thompson reveals that she got involved with the cause when she realized that trafficking wasn't just an international occurrence. She discovered it was a local phenomenon happening at a massage parlor down the street from her house. The aim of 'Journey' is to emphasize that prostitution in slavery and commercial sex is happens closer to home than many think -- sometimes literally around the corner.

Thompson remarks that in many ways, human trafficking is much easier to commit than dealing with drugs or weapons: "You can make $150,000 from one girl in a year...because moving people around the place is easier than moving guns around."

She explains that girls and women were often forced into the sex trade by a male relative or family friend who lured them out of the country with job offers. This was the case of Elena, a Moldovan girl who Thompson encountered in 2006 through her work with the Helen Bamber Foundation, an organization that helps abuse victims. Elena was led to the United Kingdom with the promise of a job as a receptionist, but was forced into the sex trade at age 19 after her passport was taken away once she entered the country.

It was partly due to her conversations with Elena that Thompson was moved to take on this project. The art exhibit uses seven shipping containers to chronicle the seven stages of a trafficked woman's experience. Thompson hopes that the exhibit helps people understand the plight of those forced to work in human trafficking, which numbers about 2.5 million individuals at any one time, according to the International Labor Organization.

Is your organization looking to enhance your online presence?

2009-11-30T19:17:00.000-05:00

If it's true that the company you keep is an indication of your character then we are rocking baby! We hope by now you know that Celect.org is our incredible fall tour title sponsor. This socially conscious company cares about students, your organizational success and providing the best web sites and hosting on the market, hands down. You might think they would charge through the roof for such service but they don't. They want to be within reach of their audience and we love that. If you or your organization is looking to create an online presence or you want to amp up what you already have please reach out to our friends at Celect to learn more about all they have to offer. We think you'll be impressed with what you find. Their offerings are excellent, customer service is spectacular and they are passionate about making a difference. Who could ask for anything more? Oh how about they help your two soul sisters reach countless more students, to talk about "IT". Celect, if lovin' you is wrong we don't want to be right.

Celect will empower your organization with the tools you need to manage, grow, and succeed.

Celect is home to over 1,300 national and local fraternities, sororities, student organizations, and alumni groups. Within these groups, there are hundreds of thousands of members that use Celect to strengthen their connection to the organization and other members. Websites that utilize Celect are also integrated with Facebook through two of the top Greek applications, which Celect developed, called The Greek Community and Greek Family Tree. By combining Celect with Facebook applications, your members are free to move between their individual and organizational networks with just a click – further cementing ties to your organization.

Enhance Your Presence

Finding the right online website management and networking tool allows your organization to enhance its community presence and public outreach. Sharing news, policies, and calendars, coordinating fundraisers and donation campaigns, managing member profiles, and sharing photos and videos online will help centralize and promote your organization’s values, goals, and purpose. Click here to see a full list of the features, tools and benefits that Celect offers.

Celect will help you build the public image that is right for you as well as assist in the management your organization’s day-to-day activity. There is no need to have a tech-savvy “administrator” who controls your website. The Celect platform allows organizations to assign different permission levels to different types of members, which promotes participation.

Connect, Reconnect and Network

Celect realizes that many smaller or local groups are often part of a larger organization. Our online organizational networking system can help bring your members, sub-organizations, and national/parent organization together, more often and more effectively. With features that create unlimited groups, individual members can connect with other groups within the organization or with other individual members, and vice versa.

Member Management and Recruitment

Celect is designed to help you reach out to your members, build effective channels of communication and retain their membership. The Celect platform can also help recruit new members with special tools designed to focus on recruitment efforts and building membership – allowing your organization to better target potential new members and follow-through with specific recruitment communications.

To learn how Celect can help your College, Greek, or Alumni Group create a web presence and manage its day-to-day member activity, call 1-888-88CELECT, or e-mail info@celect.org

Unite for Change Seeks Amazing Student Leader

2009-11-25T10:10:00.001-05:00

Spring 2010 Opportunity: Program Development Intern

Unite for Change is currently working on a ground breaking outreach project for campus communities across Florida. We are seeking a driven, visionary thinker to assist in developing this revolutionary initiative that will unite college students and communities to promote sexual assault awareness, healthy sexuality and sexual health. This is a chance to gain real experience in organizational outreach and leadership development while addressing sexual violence.

Qualified applicants must be a leader within their college community and be comfortable working with various groups such as Res Life, First Year Experience, Student Government, Greek Life, and Athletics from both their home campus and campuses across the state of Florida. Candidates must have strong communication skills both oral and written and have previously held or currently holding a leadership position on campus.

The ideal candidate will be an articulate, creative and organized self starter who is knowledgeable in sexual health and sexual violence reduction or possesses the skills and has an interest in learning about the issue(s).

This is a part-time telecommuting intern position. Start date is January 2010 and will conclude in May 2010. Stipend will be paid upon completion of internship. Prefer applicants within the state of Florida but not required. If desired, we will work with the student and university to ensure college credit is provided for the internship.

Please submit your resume and cover letter no later than 12/15 to info@kellyandbecca.com with subject line: Intern Resume.

Sexual Health Report Card

2009-11-24T22:30:00.001-05:00

The Trojan Sexual Health Report Card started four years ago with the concern of some scary statistics. As Bruce Tetreault, a group project manager for Trojan said… “Only one in three sex acts in singles uses a condom, there are 19 million new sexually transmitted infections every year and over 700,000 unplanned pregnancies under the age of 20 every year in the United States. That drove us to spark conversation and increase awareness of the state of sexual health awareness in America and by doing the Report Card we are able to do that and increase availability of information and resources.”

Kudos to Trojan for taking action and highlighting college campuses for promoting sexual health!

Congrats to the University of South Carolina for ranking #1!

Make your sexual health a priority. Learn how to get down with sexual empowerment here.

The annual study analyzed 141 schools in the major NCAA conferences, grading them on a wide array of factors, including health center hours of operation, condom availability, HIV testing costs and the availability of anonymous advice. Scores are tallied similar to grade point average, with 4.0 being the best, and 0.0 the worst.

Top 10 Best Schools for Sexual Health

1. University of South Carolina (3.43 Sexual GPA)

2. Stanford University (3.40 Sexual GPA)

3. University of Connecticut (3.38 Sexual GPA)

4. Columbia University (3.24 Sexual GPA)

5. Florida Atlantic University (3.23 Sexual GPA)

6. University of Georgia (3.21 Sexual GPA)

7. Michigan State University (3.17 Sexual GPA)

8. Cornell University (3.17 Sexual GPA)

9. Brown University (3.15 Sexual GPA)

10. Duke University (3.15 Sexual GPA)

The 10 Worst Schools for Sexual Health

1. DePaul University (0.62 Sexual GPA)

2. St. John’s University (1.24 Sexual GPA)

3. Providence College (1.37 Sexual GPA)

4. Baylor University (1.54 Sexual GPA)

5. Bringham Young University (1.57 Sexual GPA)

6. Arkansas State University (1.58 Sexual GPA)

7. University of Louisiana at Lafayette (1.63 Sexual GPA)

8. Louisiana Tech University (1.64 Sexual GPA)

9. Seton Hall University (1.71 Sexual GPA)

10. Troy State University (1.71 Sexual GPA)

USC tops sexual health rankings
Availability of information, testing help Carolina excel

By Ellen Meder
Assistant Mix Editor
Published: Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Everyone comes to college for education but, according to a study released Tuesday, the University of South Carolina is currently leading the nation in a non-academic field of education: sexual health.

USC was ranked No. 1 out of 141 NCAA colleges and universities nationwide for availability of sexual health information and resources according to the fourth annual Trojan Sexual Health Report Card. Never having slipped below No. 11, South Carolina embodied many of the 13 points of criterion for an overall 3.43 sexual health GPA.

Trojan Brand Condoms has been in the contraception business for over 90 years, according to Bruce Tetreault, a group project manager for Trojan, and aligns its business objectives with public health needs.

“Four years ago we got some really sobering statistics about the state of sexual health in America,” Tetreault said. “Only one in three sex acts in singles uses a condom, there are 19 million new sexually transmitted infections every year and over 700,000 unplanned pregnancies under the age of 20 every year in the United States. That drove us to spark conversation and increase awareness of the state of sexual health awareness in America and by doing the Report Card we are able to do that and increase availability of information and resources.”

Trojan enlisted Sperling’s BestPlaces, a Portland, Or. data analysis company, to measure both the access and availability of information and resources. Sperling’s BestPlaces graded universities based on data from campus health centers, student polls and other readily available information like school Web sites. Cost of and access to contraception, HIV testing Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing as well as outreach and peer groups factored in to the grading. Amount of sexual activity and STI rates were not included in the study because such information is difficult to accurately obtain said company president Bert Sperling. With a Facebook campaign targeting each school, Sperling’s BestPlaces ran advertisements for questionnaires that asked students five question: Would you consider contacting the health center for a sexual health issue? Does the health center do a good job? Are the services complete? Is he staff trustworthy? And, is there room for improvement? Over 6,000 students responded nationally, with 89 USC responses.

“In those scores, USC received one of the very highest scores in student responses,” Sperling said. “It has a very good Web site and they have student peer groups, they have programs for assault and sexual harassment awareness, and outreach and lecture programs are all top notch. In many areas very excellent.”

Thompson Student Health Center helped in many ways, including everything from free Pap smear testing and free condoms to informative pamphlets. The Sexual Health & Violence Prevention’s (SH&VP) services is where USC especially excelled, offering healthy relationship services, STI information, sexual assault and stalking prevention and lots of campus outreach.

“Our overall goal is seeing students have healthy relationships, including partners, roommates and friendships,” said Ryan Wilson, the Sexual Health Program Coordinator at SH&VP. “My focus is just the sexual health piece of that whole.”

With the University 101 outreach program, SH&VP representatives go class to class with a “What your peers never told you about sex” presentation that gives students full information on both safe sex and abstinence and sparks discussion about personal beliefs.

“We ask students to decide on their own sexual health, to do make those decisions on their own timeline, when they’re ready,” Wilson said.

Additionally, SH&VP spends a lot of time researching student sexual health and holds events like the Nov. 17 World AIDS Day forum, as well as Greene Street condom handouts throughout the year and the Project Condom fashion show in the spring. The branch of the health center also helps out the student sexual health group, Share, in their dissemination of information.

“What we’re doing is on target from the research I’m reading about how peers can help other peers with a lot of this,” Wilson said. “We all need to make responsible decisions and then help others as well. That is one way we can improve, is to take care of each other in every area.”

Kat King, a third-year visual communication student and the president of Share, agreed that students listen more to people like themselves.

“I’m really thrilled about the honor,” King said. “I think it’s really the visibility of our peers and the amazing research of the SH&VP office that got us here.”

Share has about 40 undergraduate members, and is holding many events this month to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and participates with SH&VP in World AIDS Day activities, Safe Spring Break Week, Project Condom, Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Stalking Awareness Day and Homophobia Awareness week.

“I’m really proud of the work we’ve done and definitely feel that in certain areas we are leading the way,” Wilson said.

The healthy discussion of formerly taboo topics at USC is not an isolated occurrence, though.

“Now students are asking how they can help their schools improve the availability of this information and we’ve really seen student empowerment happening,” Tetreault said. “For us, that’s been the biggest change and the most gratifying.”

Safety Aboard Cruise Ships

2009-11-19T17:00:00.001-05:00

We have been following the work of International Cruise Victims and recently had the pleasure of meeting Laurie Dishman and Caitlin Burke with ICV to learn more about the organization and their work. To say we were impressed is an understatement. These ladies are passionate, driven and down right spunky so we were not at all suprised to learn that some of their hard work is paying off in a big way. This week the Matsui Cruise Safety Bill passed in the House of Representatives. Congratulations! This is a huge.

You can read the full press release below. To learn more about safety on cruise ships or to get involved with the ICV visit- www.internationalcruisevictims.com

Another great day for ICV and future victims of crimes on Cruise ships
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
CONTACT: MARA LEE
(202) 225-7163
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PASSES MATSUI CRUISE SAFETY BILLStand-Alone Legislation Will Protect Americans Aboard Cruise Ships

WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui (D-CA) joined with hercolleagues in the House of Representatives to pass H.R. 3360, the CruiseVessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 by a bipartisan vote of 416-4.Introduced by Representative Matsui earlier this year, the legislation is acritical and common-sense fix which will provide safety and security toAmericans who go on cruise vacations without realizing they are notprotected under U.S. laws when they leave its territorial waters.

"Unfortunately, the status quo has allowed cruise ships to operate underforeign flags of convenience - but leaving our territorial waters does notmean that cruise ships should be allowed to operate without basic laws thatprotect American citizens," Matsui said today on the House floor duringconsideration of her legislation. "Over the past several years, I have metwith far too many victims and their families who have experienced tragedy onthe high seas, only to be left to fend for themselves. It has becomeincreasingly apparent that this landmark legislation is both urgent andnecessary."

Rep. Matsui was contacted regarding the need for increased protections forAmericans on cruise ships in 2006, when her constituent, Laurie Dishman,wrote to her for help. Ms. Dishman was the victim of a sexual assault whileon a cruise vacation, and was given no assistance by the cruise line inproperly securing evidence of the assault, identifying her attacker, orprosecuting the crime once back on shore. Devastated, she reached out toCongresswoman Matsui for help. Matsui immediately began working on thislegislation and held multiple hearings with the support of Transportationand Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-MN) and Chairman ofthe Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Elijah Cummings(D-MD), to bring the reality of what was happening on these ships to light."

Unfortunately, incidences of sexual attacks, missing persons and otherserious crimes have continued to be reported on board cruise ships in recentyears, despite increased media and Congressional attention on this issue,"stated Matsui. "The passage of my Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Actwill not only help recent victims of cruise crimes and offer them enhancedprotection, but will help from preventing further crimes from happening. Wecannot sit back and witness these violent and reprehensible acts tocontinue."

Matsui's legislation will require the cruise industry to comply with anumber of security provisions including specific rail heights, peep holes,warning devices, and cabin security measures. Additionally, the billnecessitates that vessels are equipped with a video surveillance system toassist in documenting and prosecuting crimes, and requires vessels tomaintain a log book to record reports on specified complaints. Finally, thelaw will mandate cruise vessel personnel to contact both the Federal Bureauof Investigations (FBI) and the United States Coast Guard as soon as a crimeinvolving homicide, suspicious deaths, missing U.S. nationals, kidnapping,assault, and other serious occurrences are reported.

Passage of this legislation is in addition to the inclusion of the CruiseVessel Security and Safety Act of 2009 in the Coast Guard ReauthorizationAct f 2010 recently passed by the House of Representatives. CongresswomanMatsui and her colleagues are hopeful that the Senate will soon take upconsideration of companion legislation introduced by Senator John Kerry(D-MA) that was passed unanimously by the Senate Commerce, Science andTransportation Committee this summer, and be sent to the President as soon as possible.
# # #

Our friends at JUST IN CASE would like to know…

2009-11-18T13:52:00.000-05:00

What will you be doing for World AIDS Day 2009?

Let JUST IN CASE® Intimacy Compacts be a part of the Celebration of Education, and a valuable tool of prevention.We are offering extraordinary discounts to Non-Profit agencies across the US through December 31, 2009. Don’t miss this fantastic opportunity!

Give your clients and donors a valuable tool to promote disease prevention and further sexual health education. Statistics and education are vital to understanding the need for change in behavior. TREND can take the information and put it into action, The JUST IN CASE® Intimacy Compacts are a trend that will have a direct and lasting positive impact on behavior and just might save a life. The JUST IN CASE® Intimacy Compacts will be utilized by clients and donors far beyond other hand-outs that may be read and thrown away.

Please contact Rachael for further information!

Rachael@JustInCaseInc.com

http://www.justincaseinc.com/

ABOUT THE CAUSE...

WORLD AIDS DAY 2009: Universal Access and Human Rights

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV/AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

Universal Access and Human Rights - The - I AM theme

Background
The World AIDS Campaign arrived at the selection of the theme Universal Access and Human Rights after close consultation with representatives of various constituencies, communications and media representatives of partner organizations, and friends of the World AIDS Campaign.

Why I AM?

Understanding HIV and AIDS from a human rights perspective can be difficult. Human rights are often misunderstood and can sometimes be seen as abstract ideals with not much practical relevance for real people. The slogans for the World AIDS Day materials were designed to bridge that gap and underscore the importance of awareness of Human Rights.

Among the key slogans adopted:

I am accepted.

I am safe.

I am getting treatment.

I am well

I am living my rights.

Everyone deserves to live their rights

Right to Live

Right to Health

Access for all to HIV prevention treatment care and support is a critical part of human rights.

The aim was to provide concise, informative texts designed to illustrate the relationship between Human Rights and Universal Access.

Supporting materials are now available in campaigning packages (four posters and two post cards) printed in English, Spanish, French and Russian and are available on the World AIDS Campaign website. Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi and Portuguese versions are also available to download from the website.
To find out more about how you can get involved in your community please visit http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/

Determined to make a difference!

2009-11-12T07:11:00.001-05:00

Often news outlets only report about the issues related to sexual assault when tragedy strikes but in this case renowned columnist for the St. Petersburg Times Ernest Hooper was simply inspired by Sabrina, our friend and social outreach intern who is driven by the moniker determined to make a difference.

When we decided to start our internship program we had no idea how great its impact would be on us. We hoped to teach but what we have been taught is far greater. Sabrina Sadler, our current intern has inspired us more than she could ever know. We are grateful for the impact her commitment to ending and addressing sexual violence has had on Unite for Change. She is a visionary rock star and at our staff retreat this week she helped us guide the future of Unite for Change, offering ideas and direction. We can’t wait to introduce Sabrina to some of our allies at the 2009 Sexual Assault in our Schools conference in Orlando this weekend.

In the article Ernest Hooper beautifully outlined how we all make choices, difficult choices but what we do with the deck we are dealt is what defines who we are and what we are capable of doing. Sabrina reminds all of us that we can and will make a difference. You just have to be willing to believe in yourself and others.

After meeting with Sabrina, Ernest Hooper said it best, "Anyone with a heart, anyone who cares about humanity, anyone who wants to end sexual assault and promote sexual empowerment should learn about Unite For Change".

We hope you too feel the same way.

Please follow the link to read the article and leave a comment, thank you again to the Times for covering such an important issue.

Unite for Change- fights sex abuse

Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist

In Print: Wednesday, November 11, 2009

November’s Featured Program for Change

2009-11-03T10:19:00.001-05:00

The University of Maine Athletes for Sexual Responsibility

College athletes struggle with a number of sexuality issues ranging from pregnancy prevention, sexually transmitted disease prevention, dating dilemmas, communication problems, date rape and gang rape. The University of Maine is addressing these serious national problems through a unique peer education program that shows athletes as more than role models for physical strength, agility and stamina, but also as role models for appropriate social and sexual behavior. This program has become a model for colleges and universities across the country.

The semester long program trains student-athletes to present a variety of workshops including: "Rape Awareness," "Smart Sex" and "Drinking & Dating." It uses athletes as role models and actors who portray characters in damaging or potentially harmful sexual situations who then engage the audience to explore positive alternatives. The current troupe includes male and female student-athletes, representing the various intercollegiate sports at the University of Maine.

Feeling inspired? If you would like more information about Athletes for Sexual Responsibility or want to find out how to join a Program for Change on your campus, enhance your current mission or start a new campaign/ organization in your community please contact us at info@kellyandbecca.com.

We are currently accepting nominations for Programs for Change. Please contact Sabrina Sadler at sabrina@kellyandbecca.com for more information.

Hopeful, Determined and Focused,

The Unite for Change Team

Violence Against Women on Television: Are you desensitized?

2009-11-02T15:44:00.003-05:00

Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

What are you watching on Television?

As the years go by more and more violence appears on T.V. Even movie ratings have changed from previous years. As each year passes our tolerance in accepting profanity, violence, female victimization and nudity seems to increase.

The article below takes a look into violence against females on television, how It has changed between 2004 through 2009.

Are you surprised?

Women in Peril: PTC Report Finds Increase in Violence Against Females on Television

LOS ANGELES (October 28, 2009)

In a new special report, the Parents Television Council® found that storylines depicting violence against females are increasing and being shown more graphically and in ways that have not been seen in the history of television.

The PTC’s report, Women in Peril: A Look at TV’s Disturbing New Storyline Trend, examined fatal and nonfatal female victimizations on prime time broadcast television and found that there was a significant increase in all forms of female victimization storylines; an increase in the depiction of teen girls as victims; an increase in the use of female victimization as a punch line in comedy series; and an increase in the depiction of intimate partner violence.

“Our new research points to a disturbing trend: by depicting violence against women with increasing frequency, or as a trivial, even humorous matter, the broadcast networks may ultimately be contributing to a desensitized atmosphere in which people view aggression and violence directed at women as normative, even acceptable,” said PTC President Tim Winter.

“Just last week, actresses like Nicole Kidman testified before the Congress that Hollywood probably has contributed to violence against women by portraying them as weak sex objects. We all must pay attention to the fact that this is a problem in our society. The fact is that children are influenced by what they see on TV and that certainly includes media violence,” said PTC Director of Communications and Public Education Melissa Henson.

The study compares the qualitative and quantitative differences in the treatments of violence against women on prime time broadcast television between 2004 and 2009. PTC analysts examined all primetime programming (excluding sports and news programs) on the major broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC)* during the February and May 2004 and 2009 sweeps periods for a total of 209.5 hours of programming.

Major Findings

1. Incidents of violence against women and teenage girls are increasing on television at rates that far exceed the overall increases in violence on television. Violence, irrespective of gender, on television increased only 2% from 2004 to 2009, while incidents of violence against women increased 120% during that same period.

• The most frequent type of violence against women on television was beating (29%), followed by credible threats of violence (18%), shooting (11%), rape (8%), stabbing (6%), and torture (2%). Violence against women resulted in death 19% of the time.

• Violence towards women or the graphic consequences of violence tends overwhelmingly to be depicted (92%) rather than implied (5%) or described (3%).

2. Every network but ABC demonstrated a significant increase in the number of storylines that included violence against women between 2004 and 2009.

3. Although female victims were primarily of adult age, collectively, there was a 400% increase in the depiction of teen girls as victims across all networks from 2004 to 2009.

4. Fox stood out for using violence against women as a punch line in its comedies -- in particular Family Guy and American Dad -- trivializing the gravity of the issue of violence against women.

5. From 2004 to 2009 there was an 81% increase in incidences of intimate partner violence on television.

“Our study today serves as a clarion call to all Americans about a critical issue with dire consequences. We are calling on television producers and network executives, members of the advertising community, elected representatives and appointed government officials, and most importantly, the viewing public, to stand up against this disturbing trend. In a country where more than 60% of children have been exposed to violence in their daily lives, according to recent research by Justice Department, we must take the utmost care not to normalize violent behavior – especially violence against women – through our television programming,” Winter added.

To read at the full report and view video clips from the study, visit:

http://www.parentstv.org/womeninperil.

JUST IN CASE...

2009-10-29T14:19:00.000-04:00

Safe is sexy and we have proof: the first high fashion “must have” accessory for safe sex, created with a woman’s sensibility of style and discretion in mind.

We have the pleasure of knowing a socially conscious mother/daughter duo whose mission is to empower women to make safe sex a priority; to help women raise their personal requirements by offering them a beautiful reason to carry condoms. Together, Marsha Bartenetti and her daughter Rachael Sudul developed their award-winning JUST IN CASE® line of intimacy compacts, redefining personal care to include sexual health. And they bring a whole lot of sass and style to the cause.

Taking charge of your sexual health can be fashionable with a JUST IN CASE® accessory with mirror and hidden compartment for condoms. This little trend just might save a life.

INTERVIEW WITH THE FOUNDERS

What inspired JUST IN CASE®?

Marsha: It was back in 1980, believe it or not, before HIV/AIDS was known to us and STD’s became an epidemic that I first came up wit the idea for JUST IN CASE®. I was having dinner with my then neighbor in Northern California – Dr. Carl Djerassi. Carl is a renowned chemist who invented the birth control pill. We were discussing birth control – and the subject of condoms came up. He said they were still one of the best means of contraception – but that they just had a bad image – Since I was in the Entertainment Industry, he said, and was creative, I should come up with something to change that. And thought about it I did. In fact, it was directly after that dinner that I visualized the entire concept of a compact for women that held condoms. Women had historically been the ones responsible in birth control and it just made sense to me. But, remember, it was 1980 – so everyone I brought the idea to laughed at me and said, “No woman is going to carry a condom!”

No one knew the devastation of HIV/AIDS – and sexual protection was only thought of to keep from having an unplanned pregnancy – STD’s were not in society’s pulse of understanding, either.

The idea haunted me for years – I knew women would love this product. I, of course, had discussed it with my daughter over that time. Finally a few years back Rachael and I talked about it seriously again. She wanted to join me in getting it out there and believed it was time. We began our partnership – and research and development – I took $$ I had earned from doing voice-overs, Rachael cashed in some of her stocks and off we went!

And we have never looked back.

We are committed to this not only as a fabulous product for women – but as agents for change in what has become a dire situation women are facing in the area of sexual consciousness and health.

Mine was definitely an idea before its’ time. And now, 32 years later - having unprotected sex is like playing a game of Russian roulette. One’s life may actually be at stake. JUST IN CASE® is a product whose time has come – and we are proud to have created this product for women. Our company continues to evolve as do the customers we serve; with one thing in mind to: Love Well. Love Wisely.®

What’s your ideal customer?

Rachael: Our ideal customer is a woman who takes her education/information to the next level of pro-action. If she has decided to be sexually active, she takes an active role in her sexual health. She is not afraid to ask her partner questions about his health and share her own concerns. She is a woman who finds strength in discretion and courage in honesty. She is a strong woman even when she is at her most vulnerable place… and that strength gives her partner comfort to be vulnerable and honest with her as well.

The customer who inspires us is the woman who is just learning how important her sexual health is… and how boundaries and requirements don’t push partners away but rather teach them how she wants to be treated. We keep the conversation alive for her to join in so she may become our “ideal” customer.

How do the JUST IN CASE® intimacy compacts contribute to a sexually empowered culture?

Marsha: We believe in the power of education, no question about it. But, we also know the power of trend. Together, we have a huge potential for change – in a positive direction.

JUST IN CASE® products are the tool that creates confidence. And when a woman has inner confidence it radiates in all areas of her life. She will make better choices.

This is not a man/woman debate – this is the integration of honoring and love between a couple – raising the requirements from a woman’s part allows her man to see her in a whole new light – and will trigger an innate man’s desire to look after his woman and protect her - in a truly feminine sense – as a truly masculine man. If she has high regard for herself – and holds that before anyone else – and does it in a non-aggressive way – but, from within - which is a strength beyond the battle of the sexes – it is integrative and very powerful. And elevates the bar of behavior.

Remember – at the time you are about to have sex – the brain is not in charge – so what you “know” won’t necessarily kick in - in a matter of seconds you could make a poor choice that might affect your life forever – This is usually when the pleas to God begin…hoping you aren’t pregnant, have an STD..or HIV/AIDS. Having your own protection will spark something in a matter of seconds that will trigger a good choice. You will actually have what you need to protect you –with you - and take an active step to be in charge of your future.

We are creating a bridge between beauty and sexual health.

And our trend is to honor women – to honor their sensibility for style and discretion – and to honor themselves when it comes to sexual health choices. And what a beautiful way to look after yourself and carry protection!

Remember - we are all about the pretty! And look for our new products to come out in early 2010. We are over the moon excited about what’s next!

In addition to offering really great products what sorts of community efforts/ philanthropic projects does Just in Case, Inc. support?

Rachael: We support a large number of philanthropic efforts because that has always been a core element of our business model, but of course there have been a few that really stood out for us. We have been a sponsor for Macy’s Passport, a phenomenal fashion show event that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars that directly impact community AIDS organizations and AIDS research. We also held a contest across the US where people could nominate their local women’s non-profit clinic or organization. We chose one clinic per state entered and sent them a case of our Classic JUST IN CASE® Compacts to use at their discretion. The winning clinics used the compacts for outreach events, and to give to clients. We had a nurse from one of the winning clinics write us an email about the impact the compacts had on some of her clients. She gives a class on STDs and sexual health to women who are about to be released from prison. She said she is usually met with very blank stares during these courses but once she introduced the compacts, the tone in the class was shifted and there was a little excitement... they were given something beautiful that reminded them that they are beautiful women and that they are worth taking care of. Our hope is that those women remembered that beyond their class and taught the girls and women around them the same thing, that we are all beautiful and worth the tremendous effort to keep ourselves healthy and strong in all aspects of our lives.

My mom and I also had the privilege of speaking to a class of high school girls during a health class. In the beginning the girls were guarded and “tough”… with a defensiveness of “I don’t need a talk from you; I know what I’m doing.” When they saw the compacts, the girls opened up to us and it gave them a feeling that we weren’t there to dictate to them what they were going to do with their lives, but have a conversation with them about how to make the right decisions for themselves. Questions they will want to have answered when the time is right, and requirements they will have for all of their partners whether or not they choose to be sexually active.

Sex is a morally charged issue, and when we talk about sex the conversation can get clouded with mores, guilt, misinformation, and blame… when we can talk factually without pointing fingers we can get so much more accomplished. Sex is a profound and deep way to communicate and bond with your partner; it can also bring incredible distress and consequences when it isn’t treated with the respect and understanding it requires. We will continue to work with women’s groups in the US and abroad to keep the conversation alive.

If you could do anything other than the work that you do what would it be?

Marsha: We have so much work to do at JUST IN CASE® - We’ve just gotten started. And we are so excited about where our company is headed. We also want to start a foundation.

Outside of JUST IN CASE - I am an artist – my roots are in singing/acting/writing – I would get back on stage and sing – and get my screenplay in production. And there is always the element of the message I want to impart – and that is –to re-connect with who you are – know the power of truly knowing yourself – and the beauty of that in the larger scheme of life. I believe it’s all about remembering what we already really know – and have forgotten.

That we matter – and that we have something wonderful to contribute while we are here on earth - And I will be a voice for that no matter what the genre happens to be.

You do so much for others, what do you do to take care of you?

Rachael: I have two small children so I “take care of myself” in little tid bits! I read when I can (LOVE my Kindle!!) I exercise, and I take the time (sometimes it’s only 10 minutes) to look around at all I have to be grateful for. On those more challenging days I am grateful for the basics…my family’s health, the roof over my head, and the opportunity to share my thoughts and gifts with so many women through a product that I am tremendously proud of. Being grateful fills me when I feel overwhelmed, then I’m able to reach out even further.

Featured Product:

Classic Conversations Gift Pack

The perfect way to start a very important conversation. JUST IN CASE® intimacy compacts and Sexversation® cards together can encourage honest and healthy conversations about sex and sexual health. Get yours today! * Be sure to use the LOVEWELL code during checkout for a discount.

Happy Sexy Halloween

2009-10-28T22:16:00.002-04:00

by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

Halloween is just a few days away! Have you picked out your costume yet? Will it be sexy, classy or scary?

It wasn’t until recently that I realized Halloween has become more about dressing sexy rather than a day to be anything you want. At the costume shop there is a section for children’s costumes, men’s costumes, and then the section for women, which seems to be over populated with sexy costumes.

When did Halloween become about women showing skin? I rarely see men trying to show off their legs in a Halloween costume. Halloween is a day for kids to be kids and adults to be kids again, be anything we want to be, right?

Is it just me or has this October holiday become less about dressing up and more about sex appeal? As women, are we dressing sexy for ourselves? For the opposite sex? To feel desired?

Does this say anything about sex in our culture?

When Patients are Denied: The Battle Over Mental Health Benefits

2009-10-23T13:03:00.001-04:00

a decision no one should have to face

2009-10-23T12:59:00.001-04:00

Can you imagine being faced with the decision to risk losing your health insurance or risk contracting AIDS?

Rape Victim's Choice: Risk AIDS or Health Insurance?

The Huffington Post - Danielle Ivory
First Posted 10/21/2009

Christina Turner feared that she might have been sexually assaulted after two men slipped her a knockout drug. She thought she was taking proper precautions when her doctor prescribed a month's worth of anti-AIDS medicine.

Only later did she learn that she had made herself all but uninsurable.

Turner had let the men buy her drinks at a bar in Fort Lauderdale. The next thing she knew, she said, she was lying on a roadside with cuts and bruises that indicated she had been raped. She never developed an HIV infection. But months later, when she lost her health insurance and sought new coverage, she ran into a problem.

Turner, 45, who used to be a health insurance underwriter herself, said the insurance companies examined her health records. Even after she explained the assault, the insurers would not sell her a policy because the HIV medication raised too many health questions. They told her they might reconsider in three or more years if she could prove that she was still AIDS-free.

Stories of how victims of sexual assault can get tangled in the health insurance system have been one result of the Huffington Post Investigative Fund's citizen journalism project, which is calling on readers to provide information and anecdotes about the inner workings of the insurance industry. The project aims to uncover details and data that can inform the larger debate over how to fix the nation's health care system. As the Investigative Fund reported in September, health insurance companies are not required to make public their records on how often claims are denied and for what reasons.

Some women have contacted the Investigative Fund to say they were deemed ineligible for health insurance because they had a pre-existing condition as a result of a rape, such as post traumatic stress disorder or a sexually transmitted disease. Other patients and therapists wrote in with allegations that insurers are routinely denying long-term mental health care to women who have been sexually assaulted.

Susan Pisano, spokeswoman for the health insurance industry's largest trade group, America's Health Insurance Plans, said insurers do not discriminate against victims of sexual assault and ordinarily would not even know if a patient had been raped.

"These issues you are bringing up, they deserve to be brought up," said Pisano. "People who have experienced rape and sexual assault are victims and we want them to be in a system where everyone is covered."

Turner's story about HIV drugs is not unusual, said Cindy Holtzman, an insurance agent and expert in medical billing at Medical Refund Service, Inc. of Marietta, Ga. Insurers generally categorize HIV-positive people as having a pre-existing condition and deny them coverage. Holtzman said that health insurance companies also consistently decline coverage for anyone who has taken anti-HIV drugs, even if they test negative for the virus. "It's basically an automatic no," she said.

Pisano, of the insurance trade group, said: "If you put down on a form that you are or were taking anti-HIV drugs at any time, they [the insurance companies] are going to understand that you are or were in treatment for HIV, period," she said. "That could be a factor in determining whether you get coverage."

Some doctors and nurses said that the industry's policy is not medically sound. "The chance of a rape victim actually contracting AIDS is very low. It doesn't make any sense to use that as a calculus for determining who get health insurance," said Dr. Alex Schafir, faculty instructor at Providence St. Vincent Hospital in Portland, Ore.

Nurses who deal with sexual assault cases say the industry's policy creates a significant problem for those treating women who have been assaulted. "It's difficult enough to make sure that rape victims take the drugs," said Diana Faugno, a forensic nurse in California and board director of End Violence Against Women International. "What are we supposed to tell women now? Well, I guess you have a choice - you can risk your health insurance or you can risk AIDS. Go ahead and choose."

Turner, now a life and casualty insurance agent, said she went without health coverage for three years after the attack. She second-guesses her decision to take the HIV drugs. "I'm going to be penalized my whole life because of this," she said.

Several women told the Investigative Fund that after being sexually assaulted they had been denied care or ruled ineligible for health insurance because of what were deemed pre-existing conditions stemming from their assaults -- particularly post traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.

A 38-year-old woman in Ithaca, N.Y., said she was raped last year and then penalized by insurers because in giving her medical history she mentioned an assault she suffered in college 17 years earlier. The woman, Kimberly Fallon, told a nurse about the previous attack and months later, her doctor's office sent her a bill for treatment. She said she was informed by a nurse and, later, the hospital's billing department that her health insurance company, Blue Cross Blue Shield, not only had declined payment for the rape exam, but also would not pay for therapy or medication for trauma because she "had been raped before."

Fallon says she now has trouble getting coverage for gynecological exams. To avoid the hassle of fighting with her insurance company, she goes to Planned Parenthood instead and pays out of pocket.

A New Mexico woman told the Investigative Fund she was denied coverage at several health insurance companies because she had suffered from PTSD after being attacked and raped in 2003. She did not want to disclose her name because she feared that she would lose her group health insurance if she went on the record as a rape victim. "I remember just feeling infuriated," she said.

"I think it's important to point out that health plans are not denying coverage based on the fact that someone was raped," said Pisano of the insurance trade group. "But PTSD could be a factor in denied coverage."

"That might not be a discriminatory action, but it certainly would seem to have a discriminatory impact," said Sandra Park, staff attorney at the Women's Rights Project at the American Civil Liberties Union. "Insurance discrimination against rape victims will only further discourage them from coming forward to law enforcement and seeking medical help."

Even when patients have coverage, there are fundamental disagreements between insurance companies and doctors about what mental health treatment is medically necessary. The Investigative Fund spoke with doctors, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers around the country who work regularly with victims of sexual assault. They said that their patients have been experiencing an increase in delays and denials, particularly for talk therapy.

"There's a lot of anger about this in the medical community," said Dr. George Shapiro-Weiss, a psychiatrist in Middletown, Conn. "You don't realize what an Alice in Wonderland web this has become."

"A lot of my patients are being told that their treatment isn't medically necessary," said Keri Nola, an Orlando, Fla., psychologist, who said about 75 percent of her patients are victims of sexual violence.

Several therapists cited problems with managed care companies that specialize in mental health. Such firms generally work under contract with health insurers to hold down costs while still authorizing appropriate care.

Some therapists and patients said the managed care companies have cut off necessary treatment for sexual assault victims in the name of cost containment. "The companies are peppering them with questions about their symptoms, and about their histories, and asking, 'Well, are you sure you really need therapy?'" said Jeffrey Axelbank, a New Jersey psychologist. "For someone who has been traumatized, it can feel like another trauma, and it makes the therapy less effective."

Pisano, of the insurance association, said it was not fair to draw a larger pattern from such anecdotal evidence. "These situations are evaluated on a person-by-person basis," she said. "There is nothing routine about this."

Jim Wrich, a Madison, Wis., a consultant who helps employers evaluate the companies that manage their mental health care, said his work has made him wary of the industry. "This is absolutely routine - these denials," Wrich said. "The default position is to reject care."

Magellan Behavioral Health Services, Inc., one of the nation's largest managed-care companies with more than 58 million customers, said that it does not routinely turn down treatment requests from victims of sexual assault or other clients. "We're not denying care. We are exercising our responsibility to make sure that medical necessity is met," said Dr. Lawrence Nardozzi, Magellan's medical director. "I think the process works well."

Asked if cost is a factor in the company's decisions, Magellan spokeswoman Erin Somers said: "If all the safeguards are in place to determine whether treatment is medically necessary and appropriate" then "the cost takes care of itself."

A former care manager for Magellan said in an interview that she felt pressure to deny care for cost reasons. Lois Gorwitz, a psychologist with thirty years of experience who went to work for Magellan in California in 2000, said her superiors would tell her: "We are not denying this person treatment, we are denying them their benefit. If they want the treatment they can still pay out of pocket." But, Gorwitz said, "You know that means that the person is not going to get the treatment because they can't afford to pay out of pocket."

Gorwitz quit after two years. "It's a very uncomfortable feeling of not being able to offer help," she said.

Asked for a response, Magellan's Somers said, "I think you should keep in mind that there have been a lot of changes at Magellan in the last seven years. I think the people who work at Magellan now are not having that experience."

OCTOBER is Sex Ed Month of Action

2009-10-22T15:39:00.001-04:00

Re-post from one of our favorite blogs feministing.com A big thanks Jos for the 411.

October is Sex Ed Month of Action and organizers from Advocates for Youth, Catholics for Choice, Choice USA, Law Students for Reproductive Justice, NARAL, Planned Parenthood, SIECUS, Sierra Club, and Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom are joining forces to Congress it's time to finally get rid of failed abstinence-only programs and fund comprehensive sexuality education.

You can find information and tools for organizing a Call-In Day here. You can also sign on to a petition in support of the REAL Act which would authorize funding for comprehensive sexuality education.

This is a crucial moment for comprehensive sex ed. For the first time in a while we should have the support in the White House and Congress to de-fund abstinence-only programs and support real, accurate education about sex and sexuality. However, politicians in DC are continuing the same old fight despite overwhelming evidence that ab-only doesn't work. Electing people who say they agree with us is only the first and easiest step in bringing about political change. The real hard work comes after elections, when advocates need to hold officials accountable, push them to support our issues, and create a climate where that's the most expedient political move for them to make. The time is now: let's finally make federal funding for comprehensive sexuality education a reality!

Search engine dodges the word rape

2009-10-21T08:34:00.008-04:00

by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

What search engine do you use…Google, Yahoo, MSN? Search engines can now usually detect what you’re searching for before you type in the whole word or phrase. A drop bar will appear with a list of possible searches you may be looking for.

Working as an activist for sexual assault prevention and education I am constantly searching for new college programs, conferences, and fellow activists. In doing so, a thought crossed my mind, when using Google I typed the word rape into the search bar and a drop bar does not appear. My initial thought was how can a word that is used so frequently in our daily culture not appear in the drop box? I tried searching for ‘Men Can Stop Rape, I typed in ‘Men Can Stop’, but Google’s drop box suggested ‘Men Can Stop Violence’ so I decided to see what that search would bring up. The first search result for ‘Men Can Stop Violence’ was actually ‘Men Can Stop Rape’. I have a question Google, why are you censoring the word ‘rape’ in your search engine?

I did try other search engines such as Yahoo and MSN, and although neither of them have a drop bar of suggestions for ‘Men Can Stop Rape’ they both did have drop bar suggestions when I typed the word ‘rape’.

Thirty Republicans Vote Against Justice for Gang Rape Victims

2009-10-20T08:12:00.002-04:00

I tuned into The Daily Show last night as I often do before my evening slumber and I became enraged with the government, well really it was 30 specific government officials. I'm not going to rant about it here, I did my fare share of it last night but I'm still a little pissed off and most definitely confused about why anyone would vote against protecting someone from rape.

Al Franken proposes getting rid of the old "it's OK if you get raped" clause in government contracts, but 30 Republicans object. Stewart of course finds humor in this and you can't help but appreciate his brilliance and laugh but when it comes down to it, there is nothing funny about this situation. It is sad, really sad. Some government officials actually say that gang rape is none of their business. Seriously? Words cannot adequately articulate the stupidity, stubbornness and selfishness I find in that statement.

Follow this link to watch the video and see for yourself.

Football Hoes and Average Joes

2009-10-14T09:19:00.000-04:00

A flyer I came across from a recent event at a local bar...

We all may hold a different interpretation of what this flyer represents. But take a second look to really think about the image and the words used. How does this represent women? How does this represent men? For those of you who may not work in the sexual violence field does this flyer concern you in any way?

- Sabrina

DAILY SEXVERSATION

2009-10-09T12:18:00.001-04:00

Are sorority women/ fraternity men more promiscuous than non-Greek college students?

DAILY SEXVERSATION

2009-10-08T10:32:00.001-04:00

Are purity balls sexually empowering or oppressive?

Serious Over-Reporting Situation at UC Davis

2009-10-08T08:02:00.000-04:00

by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

This was the first article I’ve had the chance to read, regarding the over-reported sex crime statistics from UC Davis.

My immediate thoughts first raised question to the school. How was UC Davis unaware of the over-reported sex crimes for 3 consecutive years?

I also wondered which statistics are actually correct. I know college campuses do not want to have high crime statistics. Is this a way for UC Davis to lower campus sex crimes while not taking fault for it?

Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 60% of crimes being left unreported. (U.S. Department of Justice.2005 National Crime Victimization Study. 2005)

I do not know all the facts to this story, but from the articles I have read, the blame seems to focus on the director of the Campus Violence Prevention Program, Jennifer Beeman. Although this action may fall back on her, it is important that UC Davis is not an innocent bystander in the situation. The media and society should hold all parties responsible.

Read the article posted below or take a peak at the article links and let me know what you think.

Campus Safety Magazine: UC Davis Over-Reports Sexual Offenses by 140%

The Sacramento Bee: Feds investigate allegedly inflated UC Davis crime reports

UC Davis: We Thought Those Sex Crime Stats Seemed High...

School doesn't know why stats were over-reported, but UC Davis is in lead for $1mil Department of Justice grant

By: Matthew Keys FOX40 News

October 1, 2009

DAVIS - An internal review of sex crime reports shows the University of California at Davis accidentally reported higher than accurate statistics, a new press release from the school read Thursday.

In February, FOX40 News reported UC Davis had more reported cases of sexual assaults on campus than all other University of California schools combined, a statistic that the school spun as a positive sign that students felt comfortable reporting crimes on campus.

Now, the school says an internal review shows the campus mistakenly reported a higher than accurate instance of sex crimes.

UC Davis said the school first became aware of a problem when a staff member began compiling statistics for the Clery Act report for the previous school year. The staff member found a total of 17 sex crime reports, significantly lower than the 57 reports filed in 2007 and the 52 reports filed in 2006.

Upon further review by UC Davis campus police, the school found only 10 reports of sex crimes were reported in 2005, 4 reports in 2006 and 16 reports in 2007.

"The problem with the reporting of these statistics was an isolated incident related solely to one individual," assistant executive vice chancellor Robert Loessberg-Zahl said.

UC Davis admits the school error began by relying on a single sole individual, director of the Campus Violence Prevention Program Jennifer Beeman, to review and report statistics relating to the Clery Act. The school said they're not sure why Beeman over-reported the crime statistics; however, UC Davis is one of several schools in the lead for a $1 million federal grant from the Department of Justice aimed at "enhancing services for crime victims," the school said.

Beeman retired from UC Davis in June after being employed as the director of the Campus Violence Prevention Program for sixteen years. FOX40's Kenny Lopez attempted to interview Beeman at her Sacramento home this afternoon; Beeman greeted Lopez at the door by saying "No comment." She later called our newsroom, asking to speak to a different reporter. When Lopez called her back, she once again said she had no comment.

The school now says a panel comprised of officials from the UC Davis Police Department, the Office of Student Judicial Affairs, the City of Davis Police Department and the City of Sacramento Police Department will review statistics for both on and off-campus crimes relating to information found in future reports under the Clery Act.

Copyright © 2009, KTXL-TV

Call for Programs

2009-10-07T15:43:00.000-04:00

We are thrilled to introduce our new Programs for Change initiative developed by our fabulous social outreach intern, Sabrina Sadler.

We invite you to join the Unite for Change Campaign. With so many students and campus professionals creating and joining programs and organizations throughout the world that are doing all kinds of good in their communities to help prevent sexual assault and promote healthy sexuality we want to do our part to help spread the word and inspire others to take action in their respective hoods.

The first Monday of each month starting November 2nd Unite for Change is going to highlight a Program for Change. If you are currently a member of a campus or community project that’s making a difference or would like to nominate a program that has impacted you please e-mail Sabrina at sabrina@kellyandbecca.com

Approved programs will be shared through the Unite for Change Facebook group page, posted on the KellyandBecca.com blog and also featured on http://www.uniteforchange.com/

These are the deets we need to get started-

1. Name of your school and/ or organization

2. Title for the program/resource

3. Target audience

4. Goals/ objectives

5. Program description

6. Contact information and website if applicable

Thank you in advance for your submissions. We look forward to showcasing your community initiative as a Program for Change.

Hopeful, Determined & Focused,

The Unite for Change Team

DAILY SEXVERSATION

2009-10-07T12:21:00.002-04:00

Is long-term monogamy a natural behavior or cultural ideal?

P.S. Penguins are the most monogamous of all the species. Just one of the many things we learned at the Sex Lives of Animals Exhibit during our field trip to the Museum of Sex in NYC last week.

RAPE is RAPE RALLY

2009-10-06T15:10:00.001-04:00

Check out what fellow activist Angela Rose, Founder/ Execuitive Director of PAVE and her team are doing this weekend. Join if you can! To learn more about how to be a part of the Rape is Rape Rallies visit PAVE.

PROMOTING AWARENESS, VICTIM EMPOWERMENT CHALLENGES CELEBRITIES SUPPORT OF ROMAN POLANSKI

Nationwide Rallies October 10, 2009

On October 10, rallies will be held in front of movie theatres across the country and abroad in response to the startling media and Hollywood support of Roman Polanski, the film director convicted of sexual assault and fleeing the country. These powerful demonstrations happening on October 10 are part of a global campaign, Rape IS Rape: Join Team Ten.

This effort is being orchestrated by the nonprofit PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, who was responsible for the 2007 nationwide “Call it RAPE Protest” that was held in over 40 cities and covered on CNN, TIME, and NBC’s Today Show.

PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment is a national, grassroots nonprofit. PAVE uses education and action to shatter the silence of sexual violence with targeted social, educational and legislative tactics. PAVE initiatives have been implemented in over 55 cities and in 3 countries.

Daily Sexversation

2009-10-06T14:36:00.001-04:00

Can a man fake an orgasm?

Fall Conference to Consider

2009-10-05T12:00:00.003-04:00

Unite for Change is proud to be a co-sponsor for the 2009 National Conference on Sexual Assault in Our Schools hosted by the Safe Society Zone . This years conference is being held November 13- 15 in Orlando, FL . The annual conference brings together campus and community professionals, students, peer educators, safety and security, health professionals and military personnel to address the issues surrounding sexual violence on campus. There's lots of opporunity for learning and networking and a great program line-up including presenters such as yours truly, Ben Atherton-Zeman, Andrea Cooper, Saundra, Schuster, Brett Sokolow, Joesph Vess and many more.

Early registration is open until October 31st. Check out the web-site and see if it's something you can swing this year or maybe put on your calendar for next year.

We hope to see you in warm, sunny Florida in November!

Daily Sexversation

2009-10-05T11:41:00.005-04:00

Should condoms be made available in public high schools?

Texas may be changing their ways

2009-10-03T14:58:00.005-04:00

I'm glad to see that some folks are finally willing to recognize that abstinence only education simply does not work. It looks like some schools in the lone star state are turning their back on abstinence only education. I suppose some is better than none but Texas and many if not all of the other states in the great U.S. of A. have a long way to go. This recent article posted on the Women's Health Policy Report gives me a tiny glimmer of progress toward accurate sex education.

Some Texas Schools Abandon Abstinence-Only as Teen Pregnancy Climbs, Funding Shifts

September 29, 2009

Some Texas school districts are abandoning abstinence-only curricula in favor of abstinence-based programs that also teach about contraception and prevention of sexually transmitted infections, the Austin American-Statesman reports. Many of the school districts, including Austin's, made the change after it became clear that teen pregnancy rates were climbing under the abstinence-only approach, according to the American-Statesman. The change also comes as the Obama administration seeks to shift federal abstinence-only dollars to programs proven to reduce teen pregnancy rates.

More government money has been spent teaching abstinence in Texas than any other state, and it has the third-highest teen birth rate in the country, the American-Statesman reports. A Texas State University study released earlier this year found that less than 5% of Texas districts have comprehensive sex education. The school districts in Austin, Lufkin and some other areas have adopted "abstinence-plus" curricula, which teach that abstinence is the safest choice but also stress the importance of using contraception if teens become sexually active. "

Our data says that what we're doing isn't working, and our community is ready for us to do something different," Roy Knight, superintendent of the Lufkin Independent School District, said. Whitney Self, lead teacher for health and physical education in the Hays Consolidated Independent School District, which switched to abstinence-plus, said, "We mainly did it because of our pregnancy rate. We don't think abstinence-only is working."

One federal abstinence program -- known as Title V -- expired in June. Congress, with support from the Obama administration, is also considering replacing a second federal program, the Community-Based Abstinence Only Program, with one that funds initiatives "proven to delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use (without increasing sexual activity), reduce the transmission of [STIs] or reduce teen pregnancy."

The American-Statesman reports that Texas could face challenges as it seeks to implement the types of federally funded programs envisioned by Congress. Sex education is not required in the state, but when it is offered, it must meet strict abstinence mandates under the Texas Education Code, which is "widely interpreted as barring detailed instruction about birth control and condoms," according to the American-Statesman.

Austin Tries New Approach
The revised sexual education program in the Austin school district was created by Janet Realini, a San Antonio physician and public health expert who testified before the state Board of Education in 2004 about faulty medical information in school health textbooks. Realini's program teaches students about STIs and the success rates of various forms of contraception. "The key message is, if you're sexually active, you need to use a condom because it will reduce the risk of [STIs] and reduce the chance of pregnancy," Realini said. Her program, available online and free of charge, has been adopted by school districts in Hays County, San Antonio, Lufkin and the Rio Grande Valley. The Houston school district, Texas' largest, is considering the program for next year. Houston has more children born to teens under age 15 than any city in the country (Bell, Austin American-Statesman, 9/27).

Where does your state stand?

2009-09-29T07:30:00.005-04:00

In 2009, California put the DNA Arrestee Law in to action. Now when someone is arrested in California for a felony a DNA sample will be taken along with their finger prints. How does this help? Having this law allows for both old and new cases to be solved faster than normal, rather than waiting to get the DNA sample once the suspect has been convicted. So take a look, where does your state stand with the DNA arrestee law?

21 States Have Passed The Law

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.

Why should your state pass DNA Arrestee Testing Laws?

Every day innocent people needlessly become victims of violent crimes. Most of these are committed by repeat offenders. By passing state legislation that enables law enforcement to collect DNA from felony arrestees, at the same time as fingerprints, your state can catch criminals sooner. That means you can prevent most of these crimes, save more lives, and provide more protection to the innocent.

For further information check out http://www.dnasaves.org/index.php

Safer Sex is Totally Hot!

2009-09-17T08:21:00.002-04:00

One of the many projects we've been working on over the past couple of months is creating new and of course sexy ways to encourage students to make sexual health a priority. We're going to save the big fancy project that's been our labor of love for the official roll out which is happening in the coming months. In the mean time we wanted to share a tiny list with huge impact. (not that size really matters...or does it?) Anyhow, enjoy!

Smart + Safe = Sexy

1. If you are not able to discuss sex with your partner, then you should not have sex with your partner. It is important to talk about your sexual health, protection, and birth control before sexual intimacy, not after. For the right partner, this is a turn-on.

2. For optimal protection, double up by using birth control (pill, patch, ring, etc.) to prevent pregnancy and a condom to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections). Doubling up your condoms themselves is never a good idea, though: the friction usually ruins them both. In order for condoms to serve their purpose, they must be stored safely and used properly.

3. A back-up plan is always good; consider carrying two condoms in case of emergency or in case of an unexpected round two.

4. Asking your partners to practice safe sex does not—we repeat, does not—mean you do not trust them. It means that your sexual health and theirs is a priority. And if they can't respect that, then they don't respect you.

5. Mixing alcohol or drugs with sex can be a disastrous combination. These substances can alter your ability to make good decisions. If you want to get intimate, it’s best to do it when you are sober.

6. Regular sexual-health care is essential to maintaining your sexual health and well-being and super sexually empowered status. We're not just talking about "uh-oh" tests or exams. Your sexual health appointments should be an annual soiree of the private and confidential variety.

7. Sex should be consensual and pleasurable for all parties involved. When in doubt, don't.

Sex & Alcohol

2009-09-16T15:04:00.003-04:00

Whenever I see stuff like this:

I can't help but think of this:

The definition for Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault
Drug facilitated sexual assault is generally used to define situations in which victims are subjected to non consensual sexual acts while they are incapacitated or unconscious due to the effects of alcohol and/or other drugs and are therefore, prevented from resisting and/or are unable to give consent.

WHY DO SOME WOMEN THINK HITTING IS OKAY?

2009-09-10T09:46:00.005-04:00

Take a peak at the following article. It saddens me and amazes me that women all over the world believe it is ok for husbands to hit us.

Questions for thought:
How does our culture influence these views?
What gives any man whether be a husband, boyfriend, acquaintance, or complete stranger the right to hit any woman?
How can you we help to change these women’s view?

I would love to hear what you think!

- Sabrina

A Global Look At Women's Attitudes Toward Domestic Abuse
by Jen Nedeau category: Health
Published August 20, 2009 @ 10:06AM PT

Nothing makes it OK for a husband to hit his wife, but for some reason there is a large percentage of women that think it is somehow acceptable as shown in this graphic from Global Health Magazine,

According to this data from UNICEF, there is an alarming percentage of women who believe it's OK for their husbands to physically abuse them. I wish I could understand how domestic violence makes sense in these countries, and tell these women that no one deserves to be hit. We need to eradicate that type of thinking if that is the reason behind some of these startling
statistics.

Editors Note:
The image "Percentage of Women Who Believe It's OK For Husbands To Hit Them" uses data from UNICEF, but the image itself is from GLOBAL HEALTH magazine, published by the Global Health Council, a non-profit organization. The magazine focuses on a number of issues that impact women worldwide - including a story on survivors of the Rwandan Genocide who contracted HIV and/or became impregnated as a result. Feel free to join their readership here.

She makes me feel like a natural woman

2009-09-05T10:19:00.006-04:00

From Kashi to Zevia, Becca is making her rounds of modeling for delicious natural products. We found our way into not one, but two granola grocery type places while we were in Portland, OR. I'm not knocking em', I love em'. There's lots of bicycle riding, dreadlock wearing, Subaru wagon driving, organic, green, liberal living hippie dippie folks in the city of Portland. We're ready to go back!

The road from our view

2009-08-27T19:44:00.043-04:00

This week on the road proved to be very interesting. It is always an honor to head out into the world and do the work we do. But being the sarcastic yet sentimental gals we are we captured a few of our favorite moments to share with you. In a perfect world we would travel the nation as one big sexually empowered posse but until Kel and I get the mac daddy tour bus that we dream about or I fulfill my desire to own an RV we will have to keep you posted via the blog.

So, it all started when we got in our rental car and our good friends at Avis apparently got the party started without us. No hard feelings folks we were working that day.

Onto lunch with Aunt Vicky at the Farm Basket in Lynchburg.

One of our favorite things to do as we travel is to support local restaurants, sampling authentic regional cuisine and meeting the townies. On a perfect day we combine this experience with friends and/or family. As we rolled through Virginia we were so fortunate to have lunch with my awesome aunt and cousin at an amazing Lynchburg establishment. In addition to great food, there are several boutiques at The Farm Basket where any passionate shopper could easily do some serious damage. I think we could cure some economic woes if we sent more people through this lovely spot.

Kelly and I are really into signs. I take my fortune cookies seriously and we look for meaning all around us. So you can imagine how funny we thought this sign was...

Restrooms are not a complementary service? Who knew? Can you imagine what it was like before they decided to move towards "a superior customer experience"?

While the cases of beer, wonderful lunches and signs that make no sense amuse and entertain us they are just the sprinkles on our sundae. Because of the three campuses we visited this week we were humbled by stories of courage, excited by the many commitments to address violence and touched by the sincerity of others. Every stop on this fall tour and the preceding tours is fueled by the men and women we meet; the students, the faculty and staff who believe that change is possible and together we can reduce sexual violence. Thank you for making us so rich with what matters.

xox

Becca

The Great Greek Debate

2009-08-26T19:43:00.004-04:00

Most of you know how tiring conferences can be. You get up really early, gather, listen, learn, network, meet all sorts of new people, break for lunch, gather again, listen some more, break for happy hour but it’s not truly a break because you’re networking your tail off. Then you realize its midnight and you just want to sleep. Your brain stopped working hours ago and your body is ready to finally give in. This past year we were at a conference and approaching the midnight hour when we hopped on the elevator to head back to our room and turn in for the night. There was an older woman standing next to us on the elevator and she looked at the conference name lanyard hanging around my neck and she asked what it meant. I told her the full name of the conference and she just stared at me so I explained that Becca and I were speakers and we work primarily with college students to help end sexual violence. I was hopeful that the conversation would end there. Not a chance. She asked what types of student groups we work with and I rattled off several different organizations. She said, “It’s good that you talk to Frat boys because that’s really the reason for date rape.”

Rrrrrk, needle scratch the record. Hold the phone Ramone. What did she just say? As soon as the hard-hitting words left the woman’s lips I woke up, Becca and I looked at one another, took a deep breath and consciously fought going into super defense mode. It was late and we were exhausted, but here we go. We could have ignored her, politely smiled and waited for our floor to light up, but that would be the easy way out and even though we were dog tired, we are impassioned activists. Avoiding her comment just would not feel right and so the heated conversation with the unknown woman in the elevator began.

I quickly fired back by blurting out the number of tremendous leaders that are Greek, some of them United States President’s for crying out loud. Becca cut in and began rattling off financial details about the tremendous good deeds of Greek organization’s noting their philanthropic contributions.

Okay, so that conversation was ALL in my head, but you know sometimes the conversations I have in my head are the best kind because they usually have a great sound track playing in the background, the perfect dose of dramatic flare and they always end with me feeling brilliant and victorious. Enough about my flawlessly twisted thoughts, lets get back to the elevator commotion.

For a split second, I thought it would be a good idea to reply to this woman by saying, “You are wrong and you just don’t understand because you’re not Greek lady,” then walk off and possibly talk a little trash about her with my home girl B.T. along the way. Yes, that would be easy and maybe even fun but that’s not necessarily the right thing to do and that’s not what we did. Becca and I took turns arm wrestling her instead. Okay, that did not happen either but just for the record, I totally would have won.

What really happened is we both politely smiled at the woman in the elevator and said something like this, “I’m sorry you feel that way. We have worked with many Greek men and women on campuses all over the country that are committed to preventing sexual assault and speaking out against violence. I can see why you might feel that way though, because unfortunately opinions are often made about all Fraternity men and Sorority women based on several isolated incidents.” The woman smiled at us both and said, “Good for you. Thank you.”

Nice. Very nice.

But let’s pretend the conversation in my head was really our reaction. What then? If we responded to her comment in an overly defensive manner we would have missed out on a huge opportunity to educate. Moments like this do not have to turn into a heated confrontation or the great Greek debate, especially not in such a tiny confined space. When people blatantly share their negative personal assumptions about our values, character and actions, we might be inclined to respond defensively and point out their flaws, but if we do, we are missing out on a tremendous opportunity to remove the unfortunate stigma associated with being Greek.

Greek men and women are doing lots of good throughout the land. We get the chance to witness their character, values and achievements on the regular and we could not be more proud of our brothers and sisters or more proud to be Greek.

Here’s just one example of what we see and are sometimes lucky enough to be a part of --

The sisters of Delta Gamma at Southern Methodist University host a sexual assault awareness program for all incoming students on their campus each year through the Delta Gamma Foundation Lectureship in Values and Ethics. We are extremely proud and honored to have been a part of this program for the third year in a row. Thank you to the women of Delta Gamma for all you do, not just on the first day of class but throughout the year to help make your campus a safer place for everyone.

SBC

2009-08-25T19:37:00.003-04:00

We had a wonderful time at Sweet Briar College, as always in the oh-so-adorable Sweet Briar, Virginia. The students at SBC this year are absolutely fantastic! It was a great gig and Let's Talk About "IT" Some More after the program was just the right closing to our night on campus as it was filled with lots of important questions, comments and an open, honest and engaging dialogue. That's what I'm talk'n about! Thank you ladies for jumping right in. We are so very proud that the lovely women of Sweet Briar are confident, empowered and committed to making their sexual health a priority.

Class of 2013

2009-08-22T21:02:00.002-04:00

We spent the afternoon in Farmville, VA and got a chance to meet the 1,000 plus members of the class of 2013 at Longwood University. Above are a few of the young ladies who trekked through the rain with us to talk about “IT’ some more after our program. Getting a chance to talk with students one-on-one and in small groups is one of the most rewarding parts of our job. Thank you to the folks of Longwood for this wonderful opportunity and for being fan-freaking-tastic!

As we were flying to Virginia last night Becca and I were laughing (through the tears) about the fact that we have been friends longer than the bright young minds of the class of 2013 have been alive. Holy Golden Girls! How did that happen? I am in touch with the fact that I’m getting older but to think about it like that, well it’s just plain freaky. You know what else is weird? The class of 2013 has never been “Saved by the Bell”. Zack Morris and I are officially depressed.

And now for the official list to help put the class of 2013 into perspective--

The Beloit College Mindset List for the

Class of 2013
Most students entering college for the first time this fall were born in 1991.
For these students, Martha Graham, Pan American Airways, Michael Landon, Dr. Seuss, Miles Davis, The Dallas Times Herald, Gene Roddenberry, and Freddie Mercury have always been dead.
Dan Rostenkowski, Jack Kevorkian, and Mike Tyson have always been felons.
The Green Giant has always been Shrek, not the big guy picking vegetables.
They have never used a card catalog to find a book.
Margaret Thatcher has always been a former prime minister.
Salsa has always outsold ketchup.
Earvin "Magic" Johnson has always been HIV-positive.
Tattoos have always been very chic and highly visible.
They have been preparing for the arrival of HDTV all their lives.
Rap music has always been main stream.
Chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream has always been a flavor choice.
Someone has always been building something taller than the Willis (née Sears) Tower in Chicago.
The KGB has never officially existed.
Text has always been hyper.
They never saw the “Scud Stud” (but there have always been electromagnetic stud finders.)
Babies have always had a Social Security Number.
They have never had to “shake down” an oral thermometer.
Bungee jumping has always been socially acceptable.
They have never understood the meaning of R.S.V.P.
American students have always lived anxiously with high-stakes educational testing.
Except for the present incumbent, the President has never inhaled.
State abbreviations in addresses have never had periods.
The European Union has always existed.
McDonald's has always been serving Happy Meals in China.
Condoms have always been advertised on television.
Cable television systems have always offered telephone service and vice versa.
Christopher Columbus has always been getting a bad rap.
The American health care system has always been in critical condition.
Bobby Cox has always managed the Atlanta Braves.
Desperate smokers have always been able to turn to Nicoderm skin patches.
There has always been a Cartoon Network.
The nation’s key economic indicator has always been the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Their folks could always reach for a Zoloft.
They have always been able to read books on an electronic screen.
Women have always outnumbered men in college.
We have always watched wars, coups, and police arrests unfold on television in real time.
Amateur radio operators have never needed to know Morse code.
Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Latvia, Georgia, Lithuania, and Estonia have always been independent nations.
It's always been official: President Zachary Taylor did not die of arsenic poisoning.
Madonna’s perspective on Sex has always been well documented.
Phil Jackson has always been coaching championship basketball.
Ozzy Osbourne has always been coming back.
Kevin Costner has always been Dancing with Wolves, especially on cable.
There have always been flat screen televisions.
They have always eaten Berry Berry Kix.
Disney’s Fantasia has always been available on video, and It’s a Wonderful Life has always been on Moscow television.
Smokers have never been promoted as an economic force that deserves respect.
Elite American colleges have never been able to fix the price of tuition.
Nobody has been able to make a deposit in the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).
Everyone has always known what the evening news was before the Evening News came on.
Britney Spears has always been heard on classic rock stations.
They have never been Saved by the Bell
Someone has always been asking: “Was Iraq worth a war?”
Most communities have always had a mega-church.
Natalie Cole has always been singing with her father.
The status of gays in the military has always been a topic of political debate.
Elizabeth Taylor has always reeked of White Diamonds.
There has always been a Planet Hollywood.
For one reason or another, California’s future has always been in doubt.
Agent Starling has always feared the Silence of the Lambs.
“Womyn” and “waitperson” have always been in the dictionary.
Members of Congress have always had to keep their checkbooks balanced since the closing of the House Bank.
There has always been a computer in the Oval Office.
CDs have never been sold in cardboard packaging.
Avon has always been “calling” in a catalog.
NATO has always been looking for a role.
Two Koreas have always been members of the UN.
Official racial classifications in South Africa have always been outlawed.
The NBC Today Show has always been seen on weekends.
Vice presidents of the United States have always had real power.
Conflict in Northern Ireland has always been slowly winding down.
Migration of once independent media like radio, TV, videos and compact discs to the computer has never amazed them.
Nobody has ever responded to “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”
Congress could never give itself a mid-term raise.
There has always been blue Jell-O.

The Healing Power of Yoga

2009-08-18T08:37:00.007-04:00

by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

Yoga group for Sexual Assault Survivors on college campuses! This group started a year ago at CSU, Sacramento with the continuation each semester. Check out your local college to see if they have a healing group for survivors or maybe you can help start one.

New group for sexual assault survivors forming on campus

Sacramento State’s Student Health Center will host four sessions of “Yoga and Healing for Sexual Assault,” an innovative, evidenced-based program for sexual assault survivors. The two-part program consists of a yoga session led by respected instructor Tamara Lee Standard, and a group discussion focused on healing for sexual assault survivors led by Cathy Connors. Connors, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who has worked in the mental health field for over 15 years…

“We’ve received student interest before the semester started,” says Jessica Heskin, coordinator of Violence and Sexual Assault Support Services at the Health Center. Heskin is hopeful that the sessions will give survivors immediate tools to reduce anxiety and post traumatic stress disorder symptoms. “We want the students to leave that day with something that may help them.”

According to Heskin, “Yoga helps decrease symptoms by utilizing relaxation techniques. The memory of the trauma is imprinted on the human body; yoga helps reconnect the survivor with their physical self, thereby reestablishing a friendly/positive relationship with one’s body.” A number of research studies have shown that yoga in conjunction with more traditional therapy decreases Post Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms in veterans. Similar services have begun to be provided at rape crisis centers in the country. These sessions would be a first at Sacramento State…

Holla Back

2009-08-11T22:27:00.002-04:00

Tired of cat-calling? Isn’t everyone?

Well now you can voice your frustrations and personal encounters with degrading harassment on online forums.

Groups of people from various metropolitan areas have created forums entitled, “Holla Back,” followed by the city the forum focuses on.

It’s great that people finally have a community they can voice their own frustrations about cat-calling on, because previously we would have been forced to just brush those nasty encounters aside. Now we can have a proper discourse, and maybe even poke a little fun, at the vulgar name calling. Because we all know that talking about issues that affect us are the way we initiate change.

The entries evoke feelings of sadness and sometimes laughter. The funniest stories showcase ridiculous pick-up lines. The saddest entries point to downfalls in human decency.
Some users even take pictures of the cat-callers; putting a face on harassment and making their situations come to life. This also seems to make each city’s residents more accountable, and conscientious of their words and actions.

Check out the "Holla Back DC," forum , the one that started it all. From here you can browse the links for the other “Holla Back,” forums for cities like Chicago and Toronto . Find the city closest to you, or start your own, and holla back at those hollering at you. Because you ain’t no holla back girl.

Crime Reporting on Cruise Ships

2009-08-11T17:24:00.001-04:00

THE CRUISE VESSEL SAFETY AND SECURITY ACT
by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

Have you ever gone on a cruise or thought about going on a cruise? Did you ever think of crimes happening on a cruise?

I came across the following article that introduces The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act. This bill would “initiate a new Website, with reports updated quarterly on the number of crimes, their nature, and whether or not passengers or crew members are implicated. Each cruise line must also link to the crime statistics page from its Website.”

The second part of this article that I found to be important was that sexual assault occurs on these cruise ships, thankfully the law requires that these vessels carry rape investigation kits and hire or train an employee to preserve the evidence. It is unfortunate that cruise ships would even need these precautions but I am pleased to see that it is the law.

The truth is no one wants to think of being sexually assaulted, robbed, or any other crime while on vacation. But the reality is, it could happen and it does happen. I am glad to see that this bill is being put into action and with my highest hopes, I hope that it passes and cruise vessels are held accountable for the crime taking place on their vessels.

Bill would tighten crime reporting for cruises
Legislation would force lines to report on rapes, robberies, other crimes
updated 8:53 a.m. PT, Fri., July 31, 2009

MIAMI - Vacationers shopping for a cruise might soon have more things to consider than prices and itineraries. They may be able to compare the number of passengers allegedly raped, robbed or lost at sea under a bill approved Thursday for a vote by the U.S. House of Representatives.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure committee's unanimous approval of the measure, following a Senate committee's passage, clears the way for a vote in both chambers shortly after Congress returns from its August recess.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act tightens restrictions on an industry that has long evaded much scrutiny — in part because of the complexity of international maritime law.
The industry initially opposed the bill, but the Cruise Lines International Association changed its stance. CLIA says most companies already follow many of the provisions — like sharing crime data with the Coast Guard — and some other components are already addressed under existing federal law.

"Millions of passengers each year enjoy a safe cruise vacation, and while serious incidents are rare, even one incident is one too many," CLIA said in a written statement. "As an industry, we are fully committed to the safety and security of our passengers and crew."

Because the industry has refused to release data to the public, the actual crime rate aboard the vessels is unknown but seems low. According to a U.S. House of Representatives memo from 2007, cruise industry executives testified that 178 people in North America reported sexual assaults from 2003 to 2005, and 24 passengers went missing. Compared with about 26 million passengers sailing during the period, those figures amount to crime rates far lower than the national average.

Because sexual assault is among the most frequently alleged crimes — and crew members are often alleged to be the perpetrators — the law requires that each ship carry rape investigation kits and hire or train an employee to preserve evidence.

Ships must also carry antiretroviral medicine to help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, upgrade video surveillance and install peep holes, security latches and time-sensitive locks on all guest rooms.

Bill sponsors Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and California Rep. Doris Matsui, both Democrats, started working on the issue after constituents shared stories of alleged rape, grief, fear and losing loved ones at sea.

Ken Carver, who brought the issue to Kerry's attention, started a nonprofit called International Cruise Victims after his daughter disappeared on a ship in 2005. He says he was lied to and stonewalled as he tried to learn what happened to her. Other passengers have related similar stories in testimony before Congress.

"In the past three years, I have met far too many American families which have incurred tragedy during what ought to be a relaxing vacation," Matsui said. "For far too long, American families have unknowingly been at risk on cruise ships."

The Secretary of Transportation would initiate a new Web site under the bill with reports updated quarterly on the number of crimes, their nature and whether passengers or crew members are implicated. Each cruise line must also link to the crime statistics page from its Web site.

New York Times article, Women at Risk by Bob Herbert

2009-08-08T16:26:00.005-04:00

After reading this article I kept returning to it. I found myself frustrated and frightened. Most of all I wish I had all the answers. Even some of the answers. Read, reflect and let us know what you think.

Becca

August 8, 2009

Op-Ed Columnist

Women at Risk
By BOB HERBERT

“I actually look good. I dress good, am clean-shaven, bathe, touch of cologne — yet 30 million women rejected me,” wrote George Sodini in a blog that he kept while preparing for this week’s shooting in a Pennsylvania gym in which he killed three women, wounded nine others and then killed himself.

We’ve seen this tragic ritual so often that it has the feel of a formula. A guy is filled with a seething rage toward women and has easy access to guns. The result: mass slaughter.Back in the fall of 2006, a fiend invaded an Amish schoolhouse in rural Pennsylvania, separated the girls from the boys, and then shot 10 of the girls, killing five. I wrote, at the time, that there would have been thunderous outrage if someone had separated potential victims by race or religion and then shot, say, only the blacks, or only the whites, or only the Jews. But if you shoot only the girls or only the women — not so much of an uproar.

According to police accounts, Sodini walked into a dance-aerobics class of about 30 women who were being led by a pregnant instructor. He turned out the lights and opened fire. The instructor was among the wounded. We have become so accustomed to living in a society saturated with misogyny that the barbaric treatment of women and girls has come to be more or less expected. We profess to being shocked at one or another of these outlandish crimes, but the shock wears off quickly in an environment in which the rape, murder and humiliation of females is not only a staple of the news, but an important cornerstone of the nation’s entertainment.The mainstream culture is filled with the most gruesome forms of misogyny, and pornography is now a multibillion-dollar industry — much of it controlled by mainstream U.S. corporations. One of the striking things about mass killings in the U.S. is how consistently we find that the killers were riddled with shame and sexual humiliation, which they inevitably blamed on women and girls.

The answer to their feelings of inadequacy was to get their hands on a gun (or guns) and begin blowing people away.What was unusual about Sodini was how explicit he was in his blog about his personal shame and his hatred of women. “Why do this?” he asked. “To young girls? Just read below.” In his gruesome, monthslong rant, he managed to say, among other things: “It seems many teenage girls have sex frequently. One 16 year old does it usually three times a day with her boyfriend. So, err, after a month of that, this little [expletive] has had more sex than ME in my LIFE, and I am 48.

One more reason.”I was reminded of the Virginia Tech gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, who killed 32 people in a rampage at the university in 2007. While Cho shot males as well as females, he was reported to have previously stalked female classmates and to have leaned under tables to take inappropriate photos of women. A former roommate said Cho once claimed to have seen “promiscuity” when he looked into the eyes of a woman on campus.Soon after the Virginia Tech slayings, I interviewed Dr. James Gilligan, who spent many years studying violence as a prison psychiatrist in Massachusetts and as a professor at Harvard and N.Y.U. “What I’ve concluded from decades of working with murderers and rapists and every kind of violent criminal,” he said, “is that an underlying factor that is virtually always present to one degree or another is a feeling that one has to prove one’s manhood, and that the way to do that, to gain the respect that has been lost, is to commit a violent act.”

Life in the United States is mind-bogglingly violent. But we should take particular notice of the staggering amounts of violence brought down on the nation’s women and girls each and every day for no other reason than who they are. They are attacked because they are female. A girl or woman somewhere in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every couple of minutes or so. The number of seriously battered wives and girlfriends is far beyond the ability of any agency to count.There were so many sexual attacks against women in the armed forces that the Defense Department had to revise its entire approach to the problem.We would become much more sane, much healthier, as a society if we could bring ourselves to acknowledge that misogyny is a serious and pervasive problem, and that the twisted way so many men feel about women, combined with the absurdly easy availability of guns, is a toxic mix of the most tragic proportions.

FALL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY

2009-08-05T07:49:00.002-04:00

Are you interested in making a difference while gaining professional experience and college credit? Unite for Change is seeking an extraordinary intern to join our sexually empowered posse this fall.

Social Outreach Intern

Ideal candidate will be a self starter who has an interest in developing a strong portfolio. This is not a copy’s and filing job, this is a chance to get hands on experience in contributing to a world without violence. Qualified applicant must be proficient in web-based social networking, have strong communication skills both oral and written and a background in social change and/ or leadership and current involvement in student organization(s).

Prefer applicants who are passionate about sexual assault awareness and prevention, sexual empowerment and sexual equality. Only sexually empowered individuals or those with the desire to become so need apply.This is a part-time telecommute position. We will work with the student and university to ensure college credit is provided for the internship.

Responsibilities include, but not limited to the following:

- Contribute articles and submissions for blog, e-news and web-sites

- Web-based social networking (such as Facebook, Twitter, Digg and other emerging trends)
- Communicate and work with various partners such as national anti-violence organizations and campus awareness programs

- Assist in the reorganization and re-launch of Unite for Change

- Assist in implementation of Unite for Change student board

Please submit your resume and cover letter to info@kellyandbecca.com. We are looking to fill this position by September.

A Little Piece of Me

2009-08-04T12:08:00.001-04:00

by Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

I am a Survivor of Sexual Assault.

I have had the opportunity to share my story with my friends, my family, my fellow collegians, and complete strangers. During this period of my healing process my case was put on hold.

Recently my case got a Lead.

Exciting right? But what does this mean for me?

I believe that one of the most healing things to do as a survivor of sexual assault is to share your story, whether it is with one person or many. Each one of us, who is a survivor of sexual assault, holds a different story within, waiting to be told, and it is these stories that tie us together and give us strength.

Since my case has recently been re-opened, I am faced with the chance of my case going to trial, which means if I want the best case for myself, I can no longer openly talk about my story until it is closed.

So in the mean time I wait…and wait…and wait.

Cases don’t come and go as fast as they do on ‘Law and Order’, but I wish they did.

Our justice system is a timely process and everything has to be done right, in order for my case to be strong.

I will never forget the day I got the phone call from my detective saying we have a lead. I was caught completely off guard and feeling every emotion possible…

Relief. Sadness. Scared. Happy. Terrified.

I couldn’t believe this day had finally come.

Now that it has been a little while since that phone call, I continue to wait for my case to take its course, but everyday I contemplate if the silence is worth keeping.

I look at Kelly and Becca, and think how amazing it is for them to travel to various colleges and share their story, the story of Kelly’s Sexual Assault and the story of Kelly and Becca’s Friendship.

For those of you who have seen the 2020 episode of the DeAnza College Gang Rape. I’m thankful for Lauren, Chief, and April to share the story, and speak on behalf of the Survivor.

It is very empowering to share such a personal and tragic story with others. Sexual Assault is about having power and control. As a survivor we try to gain that power and control back.

In my situation, I sometimes feel the Justice system takes my power and control away from me, once again.

I do have the choice to speak or not to speak, but that is weighed on the fact of having a strong or weak case.

World Approaches to Sex Education

2009-07-28T10:33:00.001-04:00

By Molly Hays, Communcations Intern

Teenage pregnancy tends to be a good indicator of the effectiveness of sexual education programs. Currently, the Netherlands hold the record for lowest incidence of teenage pregnancy. Conversely, teenage pregnancy is the greatest in sub-Saharan Africa. Both cultures are on the extreme opposite ends when it comes to sexual education; and it shows. Meanwhile, China and America are undergoing major policy changes in their sex education programs.

In sub-Saharan Africa, for every 1,000 girl’s ages 15 to 19 years old, 143 become pregnant. In addition, lack of proper health care resources means that carrying and having a child places the mother’s life at great risks.

Sub-Saharan Africa deals with human rights issues like child marriage, genital mutilation, sex trafficking and gender equality. These issues coupled with a lack of basic education can be disastrous.

Thankfully, education is on the rise, both basic and sexual. Previously higher education levels in the region had been linked with increased contraction of STIs and since holding a higher education afforded people more free time and access to sex workers and HIV/AIDS during a time when sex education was almost nonexistent. However, that has been reversed with the onset of HIV/AIDS education.

Unease about sexuality creates a taboo in sub-Saharan Africa that sexual education programs have a hard time combating. Studies show that cultural sensitivity like explaining sex education as a tool to prevent HIV/AIDS makes the programs more socially acceptable than just the sexual education descriptor alone.

The biggest component of lowering teenage pregnancy and STI rates is primary education for the skills learned in school affords people the reasoning skills to effectively make conscious decisions regarding their sexual health.

Unlike sub-Saharan Africa, sexual education taboos have been eradicated in the Netherlands. An open approach is taken in schools where teachers and students converse freely about sexual topics, blending hard facts with feelings.

The program called “Lang leve de liefde” or “Long Live Love,” was developed in the 1980s when AIDS became a hot topic. Sex is treated as a natural interaction between two human beings, and teachers are taught to teach the truth about sex to even elementary school children. This openness has silenced snickers and giggles – giving way to completely open forums where children are relaxed and not afraid to ask questions.

Honesty is important as children are also informed about homosexual intercourse, prostitution, masturbation and contraception. Currently 93 percent of sexually active youth use contraception.

However, a negative stigma is attached to having a child before reaching the age of 20. Also sex is viewed in terms of love and not conquest, resulting in many youth waiting until almost 18 years of age to have sex.

Until recently, sex education in China had been limited and taboo. Now, however, new policies are breaking through the limitations and taboos by making sex education available and easier to talk about.

In February the government launched a campaign aimed at eradicating old views and replacing them with knowledge and ease in seeking medical assistance for sexual health
Prior to this campaign, it was not uncommon for sex education to be limited to a single page in a book that children were instructed to read on their own. Many children learned about sex from pornography websites, since their education need was not being met by schools or family.

Many people suffering from sexually transmitted diseases were reluctant to seek help, or never did. In addition, STI rates, especially that of HIV and AIDS continued to rise, forcing the government to take action thus the new program; the goal is to educate and guide people but also to restrict negative sexual influences like the very porn websites children sought out.

Sex and the State

President Obama has initiated many changes in policy already; the greatest change that pertains to sex education is that the budget eliminates funding for abstinence only sex education programs.

This is a drastic, 180 degree turn from the abstinence only programs President Bush promoted. Obama is opting for an education based teen pregnancy prevention program.

On the campaign trail, Obama had been attacked for backing a bill that would begin sex education in elementary school. He insisted that age-appropriate, science-based education was necessary, saying it was the right things to do.

Only time will tell if the policies will be followed and if states will catch on to implementing science-based and age-appropriate sex education in their schools and just how these education programs influence STD, STI and teen pregnancy incidence.

These changes do look bright, allowing for more discourse and actual education.

Be a part of the Unite for Change mission.

2009-07-28T08:00:00.003-04:00

Do you know people making a difference?

Do you know Men and Women determined to eradicate the all too real statistic that is, 1 in 4 women will be sexually assaulted while in college?

Unite for Change wants to hear about these exceptional people, to honor and acknowledge all their great work! Whether it's through improved communication, campus safety, encouraging healthy relationships or taking action on campus or in a community, we think these men and women deserve some recognition.

Please send your nominations for a Brother or Sister for Change to Sabrina, Social Outreach Intern Sabrina@kellyandbecca.com

Do you know of a college organization or program focused to bring sexual assault prevention, education, and/or awareness to the forefront?

Unite for Change wants to hear all about it! We want to share your campus programs and organizations great success stories with other campuses.

Please email Sabrina, Unite for Change Social Outreach Intern the details about your campus program so we can sing your praises and spread the good word. Sabrina@kellyandbecca.com

Kudos to the Killers

2009-07-23T19:39:00.000-04:00

by Molly Hays

The Killers and MTV have teamed up with U.N. children's arm UNICEF and U.S. aid agency USAID to create a video for the band’s song, “Goodnight, Travel Well,” off the album “Day & Age,” that highlights the issues of human trafficking and sexual exploitation.

The video never actually shows the Killers, but instead hones in on the emotions of a young girl being forced into the sex slavery world.

“We are deeply shocked and appalled that women and children are forced into such exploitative situations,” said The Killers, adding, “We hope that through MTV’s efforts and this powerful video that millions of people across the world learn about this tragic form of modern-day slavery.”

The video is very powerful and moving. It brings a human face to an issue that by its nature, many people never get to see the personal side of.

In the video, young girls are locked in a dinghy room where they are only retrieved to be sexually exploited. The one girl who is “chosen,” fights and resists but is overpowered. While she goes off to do “her job,” the sadness in her face is unavoidable.

“Some things cost more than you realize,” flashes on the screen and lingers near the end of the video. This single line of text paired with the images of a man paying for sex and the sex slave leaves a haunting message.

Watch the video here.

Jeanne Clery Act

2009-07-21T22:54:00.002-04:00

By Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

A special thanks to S. Daniel Carter from Security on Campus, I came across this article, recognizing the Jeanne Clery Act. It introduces the origins of the Act and how it has helped protect college students. Some questions to consider while reading…

As parents, do you assume that when your child goes to campus he/she is safe?

As a result of the Jeanne Clery Act, colleges now have to publish crimes on college campuses. As parents/students do you take a look at these statistics?

Now that colleges are required to publish crime statistics, do you think crime on campus has decreased or increased? What do you think caused the decrease or increase?

Child Safety 101: What is The Jeanne Clery Act and how does it protect college students?
July 20, 10:22 AM

When parents send their children away to college, they assume that their child is entering a relatively safe and secure environment. But what legal protections exist to make sure that parents and prospective students are apprised of campus crime, so they can use this information to make informed choices about what school they will select.

In 1986, Jeanne Clery was a 19 year old Lehigh University freshman. That April, while asleep in her dorm, she was raped and murdered by a fellow student she did not know.

At the time, neither Jeanne nor her parents, Connie and Howard Clery, were aware that there had been 38 violent crimes on the Lehigh campus in the preceeding three years.

After Jeanne's death, the Clery's partnered with other campus crime victims to secure passage of The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, originally known as the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. The Act requires colleges to disclose to students information regarding crimes on and around campuses. Here is a summary of the provisions of the Act, from the SOC website:
"Institutions must publish an annual report disclosing campus security policies and three years worth of selected crime statistics.

Institutions must make timely warnings to the campus community about crimes that pose an ongoing threat to students and employees.

Each institution with a police or security department must have a public crime log.

The U.S. Department of Education centrally collects and disseminates the crime statistics. Campus community sexual assault victims are assured of certain basic rights.

Institutions that fail to comply may be fined or lose eligibility to participate in federal student aid programs."

The Jeanne Clery Act was amended several times since 1990 to add additional safeguards, including sex offender notification and ensuring certain rights for victims of sexual assault. In August of 2008, in response to the Virginia Tech shootings, the requirement of a campus emergency response plan was added. Included is a requirement that the students and staff be notified immediately when there is an emergency on campus.

Students and employees should automatically receive copies of the campus annual security report. Prospective students and parents can (and should) request a copy, as well. Compliance with the Act is tied to participation in federal student aid programs.

The Clery's also founded Security on Campus, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to campus safety and security. SOC offers resources, trainings, high school outreach programs, victim advocacy, and more.

Prospective students and their families should be sure to research crime statistics and safety programs and procedures at any college they may attend.

"SPEAK"

2009-07-15T17:37:00.001-04:00

By Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

1 in 4 college women surveyed are victims of rape or attempted rape.

As an active college student who was involved in bringing Sexual Assault Awareness to campus, I heard this statistic constantly and I shared it with my fellow collegians repeatedly. When I first heard 1 in 4 college women are victims of rape or attempted rape, it blew my mind. I thought WOW; I walked away with thinking 1 in 4 college women.

Through my journey of being an advocate and activist I have grown to look at this statistic quite differently and pose the question…

Do you ever think past the numbers?

Do you ever think of that 1 woman?

This clip from the movie “Speak” only represents one girl and her story.

Each woman has their own personal story. No two sexual assaults are alike.

Each survivor of rape or attempted rape deals differently.

I believe from the moment that she was violated her life is FOREVER changed.

Since I have been an activist to end sexual assault, I have had friends, sisters, and complete strangers share their story with me. I look at these women as remarkable human beings. I am amazed by them, for the statistics slowly disappear and instead become faces and stories. They are my force to keep bringing awareness.

I’ve heard the 1 in 4 statistic over and over again, knowing the severity of what it means. So then why am I still surprised when someone shares their story with me? Because at that moment the statistic is real, it is a woman and her story. And all I can think is that I am grateful that she chose to share her story and not hold it in.

In the movie “Speak”, it took the support of Melinda’s teacher and close friend, in order for her to recall her traumatic incident of being raped, and learn how to deal with the situation.

42% of college women who are raped tell no one about their assault.

My ending note:
You never know who may be watching you. You may be someone’s inspiration. Always keep an open mind. Never judge, for you never truly know what someone has been through in their life.

For more information on Sexual Assault, Statistics, Resources, visit uniteforchange.com

Sexual Boundaries and Vacation

2009-07-12T15:38:00.004-04:00

By Molly Hays, Communications Intern

The Sexversations 3 of diamonds asks, “Do your sexual boundaries change while on vacation or spring break and if so is that okay? (ex. What happens in Mexico stays in Mexico!)”

It may not be spring break anymore, but summer is prime vacation time. And packed along with the sunscreen and swimsuit are often preconceived notions of sexual fun made possible by changing sexual boundaries.

Why do vacations validate changing sexual boundaries? Is it because you probably won’t ever see anyone you meet at the bar in Cancun again? Does relaxation relax boundaries? What makes it okay to do things on vacation that you normally wouldn’t do back home?

While not everyone’s sexual boundaries change on vacation it’s safe to say that spring break has a reputation for combining binge drinking and casual sex. But does alcohol inebriation change sexual boundaries alone?

Often consent to changing sexual boundaries can be overpowered by alcohol. A new study by the Journal of American College Health reports that 20 percent of undergraduate women experience sexual assault during their college years. In addition, 11 percent were assaulted while incapacitated.

Pregnancies, STDs and STIs, and moral implications can result of changing sexual boundaries; its then that spring break breaks down. Because what happens in Vegas, doesn’t always stay in Vegas.

Kind Campaign

2009-07-07T10:44:00.011-04:00

By Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

A movement, based upon the powerful belief in Kindness, that seeks to bring awareness and healing to the negative and lasting affects of abuse within the "Girl World."

What is Kind Campaign?

YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Every single girl has encountered an experience at some point within their lives in which they become aggressors or victims of girl-against-girl "crime". Physical fighting, name-calling, threats, power struggles, competition, manipulation, secrets, rumors, and ostracizing other girls, all fall under the category of girl-against-girl "crime". These "crimes" strip us of our identity.

Let's be real for a second. We all want to be liked. It’s already hard enough to accept ourselves for who we are, let alone accept the perceptions and judgments that other girls have of us. Over the years, the vicious ways in which females treat each other have become societal norms. With various media outlets that mock and even glamorize the issue, it seems that society has simply concluded, "That's the way girls are." We disagree, because we believe that there is goodness within all females, even if that goodness has been shoved aside by the pressures society has placed upon us. What we fail to realize and choose to ignore is the fact that these experiences very often lead to depression, anxiety, loss of self worth, eating disorders, drug abuse, alcoholism, attempted suicide and actual suicide in millions of girls lives.

But why? Doesn't it seem odd? Don't you think that as females, we should respect and support each other? Well, we think so… "We" are two college students, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud, who have recognized this problem and have decided to do something about it. Whether it's your friends, family, acquaintances at school, people in the workplace, or even strangers, Kind Campaign is asking us all to reconsider the way we treat other females.

Look, we know it's hard to be a girl sometimes. We aren't asking for everyone to become best friends…that's simply unrealistic. However, we are suggesting something very simple: to STOP the competition, STOP the cattiness, STOP the hate, and to BE KIND.

UNITE FOR KINDNESS

The Kind Campaign sends the simplest message…to be kind. Often girls can be the harshest of critics to one another.
This should not be the case.
Girls should stand by one another.

Women should stand by one another.

The Kind Campaign reminded me of the Unite for Change Campaign based on the fact that as women when we hear that a girl was sexually assaulted we often become quick to judge the victim.
“That outfit she was wearing was asking for it.”
“She was leading him on.”
“Well she got drunk, so it’s her own fault.”

We make these judgments to distance ourselves from the victim to make us feel that we couldn’t have been sexually assaulted. But the truth is that any woman, any girl; anywhere can be the victim of sexual assault. It is not about what the victim was wearing, or if she flirted with perpetrator, or if she drank too much. She was violated, that is the truth.

As a victim of sexual assault one already blames themselves for being in the wrong place or talking to the wrong person, there is always some form of self blame. Victims of sexual assault have already been through enough.

We need to stop the victim blaming, Stop the Judging, and Be Kind.

Lauren Parsekian and Molly Stroud started the Kind Campaign, encouraging women and girls everywhere to be kind to one another.

Kelly Addington and Becca Tieder started the Unite for Change Campaign, educating and bringing awareness of sexual assault to college campuses.

It is everyday women that are able to bring KINDNESS.
It is everyday women that are able to bring CHANGE.
It is YOU. You can Be Kind. You can Bring Change.

Follow the Kind Campaign on Twitter: http://twitter.com/kindcampaign

Sexually Empowered Cookout

2009-07-05T10:13:00.005-04:00

Here we are enjoying a summer cookout with friends and a deck of cards suddenly appeared. The sweet round of Sexversations went so well with the guacamole... you should give it a try!
Here's what you'll need.
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1. Peeps. It can be a small yet incredibly enthusiastic group of 2 up to how ever many you have room for at your par-tay.
2. Deck of Sexversations.
3. Guacamole dip (2 avocados, 3 cloves of garlic, 1/2 cup finely chopped tomatoes, 1/4 cup finely chopped onions, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, juice of 1 lime, couple dashes of salt, a few shakes of your favorite hot sauce. Mix together and mmm...enjoy!)
4. Chips and veggies for dipping.
5. Your favorite beverage, we recommend an ice cold cerveza.
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I wonder how many other summer cookouts include a group of friends gathered 'round the patio engaged in a colorful discussion about everything from sex education and the legitimacy of born again virginity to an interesting difference of opinion about what happens in Cabo, should/should not stay in Cabo? It's very liberating!

Whatever this 4th of July weekend was for you I hope it turned out even better than you expected. With all the flags, fireworks and freedom filled stories I'm feeling most thankful. While driving home last night with the fireworks bursting in the sky and the American flag displayed on cars, raised in front of buildings and neighborhood front porches I could not help but smile and feel proud. I don't need a flag or a cookout to remind me of our Independence, though it is quite nice and I do enjoy seeing the red, the white and the blue everywhere. But put all the frills of the 4th aside and I am still proud. Not just today but everyday.
I can still remember (most of) the Declaration of Independence, thanks to my 4th grade teacher, Ms. Flament. So here's to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Let freedom ring!
K

Alcohol & Sex: A Disastrous Combination

2009-07-02T18:26:00.005-04:00

By Molly Hays, Communications Intern

In 2005, more than 97,000 college students ranging in age from 18 to 24 were victims of alcohol-related acquaintance rape or sexual assault according to collegedrinkingprevention.gov. This specific website aims to change drinking habits in college students.
97,000 is a staggering number, and presumably that number has only been increasing as campuses swell.

Alcohol and sex prove to be a disastrous combination, not just for college students.

That’s why, the Sexversations® 3 of hearts card, provides an interesting question; “If someone was drinking and they are sexually assaulted, does that mean it's their fault?”

First off, I would exclaim loudly that no, it’s not their fault. Yet, a culture of victim blaming has developed, in which the victim is not only blamed but disgraced.

No one can ever predict or prepare to guard themselves against sexual assault; however precautions can be taken to better help ensure your own personal safety. Again, even if precautions are disregarded, that doesn’t mean the act of violence committed against you is justified. And someone could safeguard themselves as much as possible and still be violated.

Some things we suggest doing to help protect yourself are to:
- Avoid dangerous situations

- Trust your intuition
- Be aware of your surrounding
- Stay in groups when going out
- Always have a DSP (designated sober person)
- Carry your cell phone at all times
- Watch your drink carefully, and don’t drink from it after leaving it unattended

For more information on how to protect yourself you can visit Unite for Change.

But what do you suggest? How can people take an active role in personal safety and how can we deviate from a culture rampant with victim blaming practices?

Justice for rape victims

2009-07-01T09:31:00.004-04:00

After 9 months of public and private pressure towards the Los Angeles Police and Sheriff’s Department, these departments finally counted their untested rape kits. In the recent article from the San Francisco Chronicle, it is brought to our attention that many rape kits are not being tested. Not only are these rape kits not being tested but these rape kits are not even being accounted for. Los Angeles is a prime example, 12,500 sets of rape kits were found to be untested and unaccounted for reported by the Human Rights Watch.

As an advocate, I encourage survivors of sexual assault to seek medical attention and strongly encourage them to allow a rape kit exam to be performed so that biological and physical evidence can be collected, which is often necessary to support their case. A rape victim has the right to choose whether or not to report the crime committed against them and as an advocate I support their decision either way. As an activist I personally feel reporting the crime is important. Whether I’m playing the role of activist or advocate, to find out there is a possibility the rape kits that we strongly encourage the survivor to take part in are not even being tested blows my mind.

What does this say to the victim?

Who chooses what rape kits should be tested?

Every victim has the right to seek justice.

The article concluded with the emphasis of having a statewide reporting of untested rape kits being mandated. Although this does not insure the testing of every rape kit, it is a first step to having all rape kits accounted for.

This step should have already been mandatory furthermore; our next step needs to be the assurance that rape kits are being tested. Having these untested rape kits tested allows for identification of the perpetrator and ensures public safety from future assaults by the same perpetrator.

Be Aware. Take Action.
Sabrina Sadler, Social Outreach Intern

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Justice for rape victims: Don't ignore evidence
Sarah Tofte
Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Imagine for the moment the unthinkable: You are a rape victim. In the aftermath of such a traumatic event, the police will ask to collect DNA evidence from your body, an invasive process that can take four to six hours. Police will take this evidence, known as a rape kit, and you might assume it would be tested for a DNA match that could lead to a prosecution and conviction and keep your rapist from striking again.

Yet, all too often, rape kits are never sent to crime labs. Across the nation, there are thousands and thousands of untested kits in police storage facilities. A March 2009 report by Human Rights Watch found that in the Los Angeles area alone, there were more than 12,500 sets of untested rape kits. Our research reveals that backlogs are not unique to Los Angeles - they exist in any major jurisdiction that does not have a policy of testing every kit booked into police evidence. That includes the Bay Area.

Untested rape kits represent lost justice for rape victims. DNA testing has grown increasingly important in rape investigations. Testing a kit can lead to identification of an assailant, confirm a suspect's contact with a victim, corroborate the victim's account of the assault, link apparently unrelated crimes and exonerate innocent defendants. Nationwide studies have shown that cases in which a rape kit was collected, tested and contained DNA evidence are more likely to move forward in the criminal justice system.

Finding a match can prevent a rapist from raping again. In one horrific recent case, authorities failed to send for testing the rape kit from a very young victim, and the suspect later raped another girl.

Human Rights Watch's research on the backlog in Los Angeles revealed that law enforcement agencies do not routinely send every booked rape kit for testing, nor do they keep track of how many kits are sitting untested. When the police and sheriff saw the numbers for Los Angeles, they were shocked.

When Human Rights Watch began its research, it heard powerful stories from rape victims who also had shared their stories with city and county lawmakers.

Without hard numbers, however, it was difficult to generate the political will to fix the problem. The organization's biggest task was to get the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff's Department to reveal the number of untested kits in storage.

Public record requests were of little help. Under California law, public entities must only report findings from rape kits they have counted. But if they haven't counted them, the information officially didn't exist. It took nearly nine months of public and private pressure to get the Police and Sheriff's Departments in Los Angeles to count their untested rape kits. It was not until the numbers were publicized that law enforcement was compelled to change its policies.

Human Rights Watch is not aware of any jurisdiction in California - including the Bay Area - that has made a commitment to count its backlog and then test every rape kit. A bill before the state Senate would require police and sheriff's departments to count the untested kits and report that number to the state Department of Justice.

A statewide reporting mandate is a necessary first step toward justice for rape victims in California. The Legislature can signal to rape victims that their rape kits - and public safety - matter enough to require law enforcement agencies to count them.

Sarah Tofte is a researcher with the U.S. Division of Human Rights Watch.

Fraternity men address sexual violence

2009-06-30T13:47:00.010-04:00

Fraternity men are often in the news for countless unflattering things, however our experience with these guys has been far more positive. Here is a blog written by the type of men we so often work with but not enough folks write about as it is not sensational or sexy, they are simply men who believe in respect and equality. The author is someone we have grown to respect and from his insights I am sure you will see why. Below the entry is the link to the Fraternity blog, The Road so you can comment and see more of the cool things they are talking about.

Greek Men, Weak Men
By Jeremy Berggren
Today is the last day of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and I wanted to make some points.

1. Power, as the fourth fundamental principle of Deltism, relates to sexual assault on an interpersonal, group, and systemic levels. By that I mean sexual assault can be about power and control. As Greek men we should also consider ourselves responsible in this fight. It is not just a woman's issue, it is a mens issue too. When someone you know is sexually assaulted you have the power to do the right thing, and that could be: 1. Believe them. 2. Remind them it is not their fault. There are other resources on the Unite for Change website. Knowledge is power.

2. Faith: Did you know that rape is the only crime in which the victim must prove their innocence?If we are really concerned about moral superiority, wouldn't we associate responsibility with the perpetrator and not make the survivor prove their innocence?The thought that women "cry rape," is about a dereliction of duty, it is essentially being weak - in heart and mind. As Greek men we need to rise above these pithy statements and myths. Weak men can fall back on social norms, sexism, and the status quo. Are we committed to excellence or status quo preservation?

3. Courage is standing up for what is right, even in the face of fear. A member at a chapter was expelled when the officers found out he attempted to rape a member of a sorority on campus. Earlier the member was trying to get in a room with the female, but she was drunk. Chapter brothers pulled him away, but later that night he got in again. The chapter called an emergency meeting and immediately moved to expel the member.It wasn't about myth or making the female prove it, the brothers knew there was a problem and they took action, and some of this member's best friends were in the chapter. Accountability is a piss in the bucket if there are no consequences. In this case it meant expulsion. That took courage.

4. Truth. Every two and a half minutes, somewhere in America, someone is sexually assaulted.
In 8 out of 10 rape cases, the victim knows the perpetrator. 1 in 4 college women surveyed are victims of rape or attempted rape. 90% of all acquaintance rapes involve alcohol. 84% of college men who committed rape said that what they did was definitely not rape. 42% of college women who are raped tell no one about their assault. Nearly one third of college men said they were likely to have sex with an unwilling partner if they thought they could get away with it. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually assaulted before age 18. Males are the least likely to report a sexual assault, though it is estimated they make up 10% of all victims.

In terms of what we can do, as Delts, there are many things. Going back to power I want to address four levels (and by this I mean that power = access to resources):Personal = accessing your own experiences, knowledge, and learning more. A great resource is on the Unite for Change website.

Interpersonal = how you share resources with one other person. If this is a sexual assault survivor it could be your knowledge that it is not their fault, it could be believing in them, it could be using your personal power to seek proper steps from that point. If this is a chapter brother it could be sharing these resources with him, so he can be another ally and advocate to stop sexual assault.Group = how groups of people share resources. This is your chapter. Your family. Within the group leadership is necessary to create a vision of where you want the group to go. It can also mean aligning with other groups to have more resources about sexual assault, and what men can do about it. System = groups under an umbrella, or a lot of resources. This could be the overall Fraternity, or the Greek system. As Delts we've used "Playing the Game," a DVD about sexual assault. But are there other things we should be doing? Do you, as a student (and legislative body of Delta Tau Delta) have the power to make changes in the larger system?
Sexual assault is not a woman's issue. As Greek men we are associating with sorority members, our mothers, sisters, girlfriends, and more. Weak men would only associate responsibility to the mom's, little sisters, cousins, girlfriends, classmates, and other women in our lives and our communities. As Greek men we must take issue with this.

We've got to live our values, and stand beside and up for those we care about.

Jeremy Berggren is the director of leadership development for Delta Tau Delta and recently attended a Male Ally Conference at the University if Illinois in Chicago. He believes all fraternities have a systemic responsibility to address men's violence/sexual assault and our highest values and aspirations call us to do so.

http://deltroad.typepad.com/delta_tau_delta_the_road/2009/04/greek-men-weak-men.html

Dear Bacardi and Bacardi Breezer Ad Team, You should be ashamed to say the least.

2009-06-26T10:31:00.000-04:00

By Molly Hays, Communications Intern

Above: ridiculous, inaccurate, inappropriate and not to mention damaging ad run by Bacardi.

To insinuate the staff of Bacardi Breezers consumed too much product when they came up with a new promotional campaign might be a little harsh, however I can logically draw no other conclusions.

The campaign basically implies to the target women consumers that all they have to do to be hot is purchase Bacardi Breezers and find an ugly woman friend who by proximity will increase the consumer’s own hotness. It’s interesting that they think that by discriminating some women, other women will be more attracted to purchasing their product. But I like to think that women as a whole stand up for each other.

Apparently the campaign, titled, “Get An Ugly Girlfriend!” ran for two months during 2008 in Israel. The campaign included English and Hebrew websites and a Hebrew Facebook group.
After discovering the site many feminist websites and news sites featured the story. Readers responded and complained to Bacardi who promptly shut down the sites.

Bacardi officials responded to the negative feedback in a letter saying, “Bacardi proudly celebrates diversity and we do not endorse the views of this site. We sincerely apologize to anyone who was offended by this site and thank you for bringing it to our attention.”

Later Bacardi released another letter claiming that the company never sponsored or developed the promotion and that a third-party developer created and carried out the promotion.
“As a Company and as individuals we are also angered and dismayed that such a campaign was ever created and we have taken immediate action to stop it as it violated our stringent global marketing principles that we firmly support,” said the second letter.

I don’t know who to believe. I feel that if Bacardi had the power to shut down the site so quickly that they must also have had immediate access to it. But what does this say about what advertisers think is acceptable, funny and appropriate? Where are we headed when discrimination and misogyny run rampant in advertising campaigns, especially campaigns aimed at the same sex that is being discriminated against?

Queen Latifah is Squarley Facing Forward

2009-06-25T08:15:00.000-04:00

Queen Latifah Reveals Past Sexual Abuse in July 2009 Issue of ESSENCE

I came across this sneak peak from the July Issue of ESSENCE. The article shares how Queen Latifah has got to where she stands today and even lets us into a very personal experience of her being sexually abused as a child. She kept silent about the abuse for many years which ultimately affected other relationships in her life. With the death of her brother, she realized that she needed to let it all out and tell her parents. She is now sharing with the readers of ESSENCE. Sharing such a traumatic incident with anyone is a hard thing to do. I applaud Queen Latifah, for sharing with us, for being a great role model, and inspiration to many. By sharing her story, she allows girls and women to be inspired to overcome life’s obstacles. She even gives women who have been through similar situations a chance to relate, have hope, and realize that they are not alone. Queen Latifah is a remarkable woman, who is admired by many, so I would like to personally thank her for sharing her story and for giving women and girls a voice.

--Sabrina Sadler, Outreach Intern

*Remember the following is just a sneak peak of the article featured in ESSENCE, to check out the full article pick up the July issue on stands now!

During the two decades since she began her ascent, Queen Latifah, born Dana Elaine Owens, has reached higher than she could have ever imagined in her wildest dreams. To an onlooker, it might appear that her every move has been carefully orchestrated, but that wasn't the case. "I never envisioned all of the things that I've accomplished," she tells me two days after her party. We're on the roof of West Hollywood's Le Montrose Suite Hotel, chatting. "In the beginning, I just wanted to hear my record on the radio, then I just wanted to make a movie," Latifah confides. "I didn't really have a long-term plan, but as more opportunities came my way, I just ran with them."

Her efforts have paid off in the form of an Oscar nod, as well as a Grammy, a Golden Globe and even star number 2,298 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Queen is nothing if not versatile. Remember how folks gasped when she portrayed a fearless bank robber who kissed a girl in the movie "Set It Off," while the teenybopper crowd fell out laughing when, on the advice of her friend's young son, she starred in the third installment of the Scary Movie spoof-horror franchise? Then, of course, there's the easy, breezy beauty she's been serving up as the face of her Queen Collection cosmetics line with CoverGirl.

Even with all her success, Latifah has had to bob and weave her way past the jabs that have been flying at her since day one. First there's the fickle industry she's chosen. Then there are the whispers and innuendos that continue to orbit around her, yet she never seems too fazed, not publicly anyway. Some questions she will answer readily. Was she really up for that role in "Monster's Ball"? Yes. When did she quit smoking? Almost five years ago. How much weight did she lose on Jenny Craig? More than 20 pounds, and still maintaining. But when it comes to inquiries about her personal life, she pumps the brakes.

There is, however, one personal experience that she's now willing to share, one that she had kept to herself for years. For a short period of time when she was a child, Latifah was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of a teenager charged with her care. "He violated me," she says of the abuser. "I never told anybody; I just buried it as deeply as I could and kept people at an arm's distance. I never really let a person get too close to me. I could have been married years ago, but I had a commitment issue." Eventually, she opened up to her parents, who separated when she was young. "When I was 22, my brother died, and I knew that I couldn't carry his death and that secret," she says. "I had to get it off my chest. My mother felt terrible. She was kind of a country girl, so she wasn't up on how slick people could be. When I told my dad, he said nothing." Latifah says now that it was scary when her father didn't respond. "He's a man of action," she says.

Now at peace with that part of her past, Latifah is squarely facing forward. She hasn't any idea what's next on her horizon, and that's fine by her. Rather than obsessing over a checklist of wants and wishes, she's intent on enjoying the space she's in while staying open to what chance might have in store. "There are some places I'd like to see, some young 'uns I hope to raise, but other than that, I've done a lot of what I've wanted to do," she says. "Everything else is icing on the cake."
POSTED by Regina R. Robertson

Perez Hilton’s Altercation Highlights Issue of Victim Blaming

2009-06-24T08:23:00.002-04:00

Perez Hilton is known for taking cheap shots at celebrities, but things got messy when Black Eyed Peas singer will.i.am’s manager physically fought back.

Apparently members of the Black Eyed Peas asked Hilton, real name Mario Lavandeira, to back off on his critical approach of the members and their music at the MuchMusic Video Awards held in Toronto on Sunday. He refused and engaged in some explicative name-calling.

Later Hilton was assaulted by the band’s manager, Liborio "Polo" Molina. Molina has been charged with assault and has a hearing scheduled for early August.

Regardless of the situation that led up to the altercation, the reaction following has been strikingly similar to reactions many sexual assault survivors experience. Victim blaming has been occurring all over the web, from tweets to blogs to comment’s on Hilton’s site.
What’s sad about this situation is that people are finding justification for Molina’s actions, just as many people find justification for the horrific experiences sexual assault survivors endure.
John Mayer used his twitter account to inform Hilton that, “People don't want to see you hurt, they want to see you experience something equalizing,” and “By understanding the genetics of a violent incident you can learn to avoid them. And if you can't, you will learn to end them.”
The flaw in his logic though is suggesting that Hilton could have avoided the violence. While name-calling could have been avoided, there’s a line between verbal violence and physical violence. And one doesn’t justify the other. However, Mayer’s not alone.

Others are justifying the incident saying that Hilton, “Had it coming to him,” and that this must be his karma.

That sounds very similar to, “If only she hadn’t drank so much…” and “Just look at the way she was dressed; she was asking for it.”

No one asks to be assaulted.

Hilton responded to all the reactions on his blog, saying, “There are many ways to deal with disagreements, both good and bad, but violence is never the answer. Never. I now know that first-hand. It should not be condoned, promoted or accepted. No one "deserves" to be the victim of violence. No one "has it coming." NO ONE. And victims should not be ridiculed.”

I find it surprising that victim blaming even exists. However, I hope this situation will highlight victim blaming as a whole, and especially victim blaming in sexual assault cases. I hope that all these people coming to the celebrity blogger’s side will open their eyes and reevaluate victim blaming on all levels, not just on the plane of celebrity ranting.

--Molly Hays, Communications Intern

The Sexualzation of Young Girls- How Parents can help

2009-06-23T22:42:00.003-04:00

Authored by The American Psychological Association (apa.org)

Girls get this message repeatedly: What matters is how “hot” they look. It plays on TV and across the Internet. You hear it in song lyrics and music videos. You see it in movies, electronic games, and clothing stores. It’s a powerful message.As parents, you are powerful too. You can teach girls to value themselves for who they are, rather than how they look. You can teach boys to value girls as friends, sisters, and girlfriends, rather than as sexual objects. And you can advocate for change with manufacturers and media producers.Tune in and Talk. Watch TV and movies with your daughters and sons. Read their magazines. Surf their Web sites. Ask questions. "Why is there so much pressure on girls to look a certain way?” "What do you like most about the girls you want to spend time with?" "Do these qualities matter more than how they look?" Really listen to what your kids tell you.Question Choices. Girls who are overly concerned about their appearance often have difficulty focusing on other things. Clothes can be part of the distraction. If your daughter wants to wear something you consider too sexy, ask what she likes about the outfit. Ask if there’s anything she doesn’t like about it. Explain how clothes that require lots of checking and adjusting might keep her from focusing on school work, friends, and other activities.Speak up. If you don't like a TV show, CD, video, pair of jeans, or doll, say why. A conversation with her will be more effective than simply saying, "No, you can’t buy it or watch it." Support campaigns, companies, and products that promote positive images of girls. Complain to manufacturers, advertisers, television and movie producers, and retail stores when products sexualize girls. Understand. Young people often feel pressure to watch popular TV shows, listen to music their friends like, and conform to certain styles of dress. Help your daughter make wise choices among the trendy alternatives. Remind her often that who she is and what she can accomplish are far more important than how she looks.Encourage. Athletics and other extracurricular activities emphasize talents, skills, and abilities over physical appearance. Encourage your daughter to follow her interests and get involved in a sport or other activity.Educate. You may feel uncomfortable discussing sexuality with your kids, but it's important. Talk about when you think sex is OK as part of a healthy, intimate, mature relationship. Ask why girls often try so hard to look and act sexy. Effective sex education programs discuss media, peer, and cultural influences on sexual behaviors and decisions, how to make safe choices, and what makes healthy relationships. Find out what your school teaches.Be real. Help your kids focus on what’s really important: what they think, feel, and value. Help them build strengths that will allow them to achieve their goals and develop into healthy adults. Remind your children that everyone’s unique and that it’s wrong to judge people by their appearance. Model. Marketing and the media also influence adults. When you think about what you buy and watch, you teach your sons and daughters to do so, too.

For more information, see the American Psychological Association report at http://www.apa.org/pi/wpo/sexualization.html

Provocative Calvin Klein ad featuring models engaged in foursome.

2009-06-23T13:47:00.003-04:00

Congratulations CK, you got our attention. The scantily clad billboard pictured above has people talking and not just folks in the Soho district of NYC where the 50 ft. tall controversial ad currently resides. People all over the world are talking about it. Some call it raunchy and disturbing and others say it’s sexy and engaging.

Calvin Klein Inc said its "intention was to create a very sexy campaign that speaks to our targeted demographic." So, we’re asking you, what does this ad say to you? Has CK taken it too far? Is this ad portraying an empowering position for the woman or is it making the woman an object for these men’s play?

Sexversate on Facebook

2009-06-18T11:28:00.005-04:00

3 of Spades: Do you have a responsibility to tell your partner if you have an STI?

--Molly Hays

Sexversations® are a series of questions about sex, intimacy, sexuality, relationships, STIs and questions for your conscience that are set in a super chic deck of cards. It’s sexy (to say the least), entertaining and informative. Through Sexversating we empower. Find out and get involved in the Sexversations® Facebook Group , Facebook Fan Page, or website.

This week we’re sexversating about STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and informing your partner. Check out the 3 of Spades post and then give us your two cents. Or for 15 dollars you can purchase your own game at sexversations.com and get your own sexually employing game of poker on.

But before you do, here’s a brief rundown on the current state of STIs.

- There are over 30 different bacteria, parasites and viruses that can be sexually transmitted.
- The most common STI’s are gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B.
- In 2007, over 1 million cases of Chlamydia were reported, making the disease the most prominent reported disease in 2007.
- STIs can be transmitted not just sexually, but also from mother to child during vaginal birth, and from tissue and blood transfers.
- People ages 15 to 24 comprise nearly half of all new STI cases yearly.
- Many people living with STIs experience few or no symptoms at all.
- The next most effective safe sex practice in reducing STI transmission risks, besides abstinence and monogamy, is employing consistent and correct use of male condoms.
- Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, protects against viruses that cause 70% cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
- STIs are the main cause of preventable infertility, especially for women.
- 19 million new infections are reported each year in the United States.

Thanks to the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for statistical information.

P.S. Atlanta is hosting the 2010 National STD Prevention Conference next March. It may be a while out, but then again, it’s never too early to plan for your health and well-being.
In the meantime, log on to Facebook and start sexversating!

FREE Condoms

2009-06-16T11:47:00.005-04:00

Just this morning I was doing a little research to help someone locate free condoms in their community and I came across JollyJohns.com which is a web-site that provides free condoms and free shipping. No sooner did I stumble upon this source before reading on their site that JollyJohns will be shutting down permanently on June 30th, 2009. The freebies are coming to an end BUT they're providing free condoms until their official closure at the end of the month. So if you're in need of condoms and want to save some cash go to JollyJohns.com for the hook up while you can.

To find out if free condoms are available in your community please contact your local Health Department.

WE STAND UNITED

2009-06-15T10:02:00.004-04:00

Get Involved! Make A Statement!

--Sabrina Sadler

Delilah, Caterina, and Sabrina, 3 ordinary young ladies determined to make a statement!

Women from all over Northern California ran in the Nike Women’s Fitness Festival a 5k run/walk. The run benefited WEAVE inc., the local domestic violence and sexual assault agency. Being very strong supporters of me, my two best friends, Delilah and Caterina wanted to help bring Awareness to Sexual Assault. As seen in the picture, we each represented one of three programs that I am currently involved in. Each one of the programs is determined to bring a stop and awareness to Sexual Assault.

UNITE FOR CHANGE: Works with students to provide education and resources that promote sexual assault awareness and prevention.

NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND: Brings awareness and encourages college students to stand by one another to prevent sexual assault.

WEAVE: Is the primary provider of crisis intervention services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault in Sacramento County.

Our statement only began with representing these three amazing programs, but the true understanding the three of us ladies took from these three programs is UNITY! No matter the program, No matter the agency, No matter the campaign… WE STAND UNITED

We as individuals, agencies, programs, campaigns are united to end violence. It is our GOAL! I felt so proud to participate in a run benefiting Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence and to be able to represent the three programs! During the run people actually read the front and back of our shirts. I remember someone shouting from the side with pride “No Woman Left Behind”, and then as we passed other participants we heard “We Stand United.” People did read our shirts! Three ordinary ladies got involved in the community, brought awareness, and made a statement.

So What can you do to get involved? You can get involved in local events or runs just like we did!!! And if you’re not a runner you can volunteer to help. Agencies like WEAVE are always looking for volunteers.

Check out your local community. Here are some upcomig events that just might be in a city near you...
Stride Against Violence in Chicago, IL on September 13, 2009
Race to End Violence in Concord, New Hampshire on October 3, 2009

These are just a couple of the many run/walks taking place in our communities. Many of these events take place in April which is Sexual Assault Awareness month and October, Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Remember you have the power to bring change and awareness. Get Involved and Make a Statement!