Culture of Consent

”In recent years, the national dialogue on sexual assault has deepened and expanded. This includes widespread support for the #MeToo Movement, increased legislative efforts to hold perpetrators criminally accountable for their actions, and more. But while many people are glad that powerful men are finally being held accountable, it’s important to remember that the work is far from over, and that there are still many meaningful ways to support sexual assault survivors.

Though it’s always helpful to support causes on social media, it’s especially crucial that people also take the activism offline and get involved in their communities to help put an end to sexual violence. Data from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) shows that one in five women will be raped in her lifetime, and according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds. Considering sexual assault is the most underreported crime, NSVRC points out, those numbers could be even higher.

Whether it means donating to a local woman’s shelter, making sure that movements like #MeToo andTimes Up don’t fizzle out, or by ensuring that survivors feel they are being heard when they decide to come forward, there are plenty of ways you can help survivors right now.”

Believe women.

Believe survivors.

More than *300* abortion restrictions have been introduced since JANUARY.

Tell lawmakers to STOP using six-week abortion bans to make YOUR choices for you – add your name here!

Artists and musicians are stepping up and standing with Planned Parenthood to protest the extreme abortion bans sweeping the country and the attacks on our fundamental right to make decisions about our bodies. From commitments to boycott filming in Georgia, to generous donations from their tours being given to Planned Parenthood, to signing an ad against the abortion bans, these artists are challenging abortion stigma and helping change the conversation about abortion. 

And together, we’re sharing our stories, reclaiming our bodies, and owning our power.

As summer comes to a close, here are some of the artists on our end-of-summer playlist who’ve stood up and spoken out to say: get your #BansOffMyBody:

1. Lizzo

Owning your body = good as hell. And we agree with Lizzo 110%: we’re capable of making our own decisions about our bodies. At this year’s VMAs, Lizzo rocked a necklace by Sophie Ratner that reads “Bans Off.”

©Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. 

2. Dua Lipa

We got new rules and they’re all about protecting access to abortion. Shout out to Dua Lipa for showing up for the millions of people whose rights are under attack. 

3. Sia

It’s not just abortion that’s under attack, it’s all sexual and reproductive health care. But together, we are a movement and we are unstoppable. 

4. Hayley Kiyoko

Girls like girls — and abortion access too, it’s nothing new. Hayley Kiyoko joined nearly 140 artists and musicians who stood up for abortion access.

5. Paulina Rubio

Our bodies are our own. If they are not, we can not be truly free. Or equal. 

6. John Legend 

All of us at Planned Parenthood will continue to provide health care for all of you. Thanks, John Legend, for speaking up for our rights!

7. The National 

We’re in no mood to have our rights be taken away. No way in hell. The National is banding together with us to stand up for abortion access.

8. Bon Iver

When it comes to securing access to abortion for everyone, we’re not out of the woods yet. But we’re one step closer, thanks to Bon Iver and thousands of others, who are standing up to say Bans Off My Body. 

9. Billie Eilish

“I’m proud to be standing up for Planned Parenthood as they fight for fair and equal access to reproductive rights. We cannot live freely and move fully in the world when our basic right to access the reproductive health care we need is under attack. Every person deserves the right to control their body, their life, and their future." 

We all know the real bad guy is anyone who thinks they can make decisions about your body for you.

10. Ariana Grande

So grateful for artists like Ariana who are stepping up and spreading their generosity for Planned Parenthood and abortion funds. We’re not letting up in the fight to protect abortion access; we gotta keep breathin’ and breathin’ and continue to fight back. 

11. Selena Gomez

We agree with Selena: stop telling us what to do with our bodies.

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“Whore”

I was only 9 years old when I heard the word “whore” for the first time in my life. I never knew what it meant but father was drunk that night and he kept shouting and ponding his fist on the table “whore” he shouts, I was so scared that I didn’t notice he was pointing his finger at me “whore” he sounded so angry I couldn’t move, I saw him making his way towards me tripping and leaning on the wall to keep his balance “whore” you’re scaring me father please don’t touch me there, you’re making me uncomfortable “whore” his eye looked inhuman, full of rage “whore” he shouts “just like your mother” his hands were under my nightgown, what is he doing? please make it stop it hurts.

“Whore”

The word keeps ringing in my head like a bell. Mother told me when a girl bleeds from down there it means she’s grown up. But why does it hurt so bad? Is this how girls grow up?

“Whore”

The word still rattles in my head like the sound of my mother’s keys, she’s finally home after her night shift, why is she so alarmed to see me? Maybe it’s because I’m still laying on the living room floor just how father left me, unable to move.

“Whore”

The word keeps ringing in my head like the sound of the sirens from the ambulance my mom had called but why is she crying? Mother I grew up, though it felt wrong and I didn’t like it at all. Mother, you never told me that I’ll have to go to hospital and get stitches down there, I don’t like growing up.

“Whore”

The word comes back swarming back into my mind whenever you mention father, telling me that the police got him and that I’m never gonna see him again, I have lost count of the times you’ve apologized to me, mother, please stop crying.

I’m 27 years old now, but even now whenever someone jokingly, or while I’m walking on the street calls me a “whore” it takes me back to day I heard it for the first time.