@nsvrc #30DaysofSAAM #day15 SAAM From a Distance These are tough times for all. Social distancing takes us away from our support systems, counselors, and self-care practices. So this is a reminder for all. Many hotlines are still running. Non-profit organizations are doing whatever they can for survivors from a distance. Many counselors are still offering appointments via telephone. Help is just a phone call away for all who need it. 💙 https://www.instagram.com/p/B_Auk-JFZe-/?igshid=9swp8zq5m7bd

Warming up with a nice cup of tea on a rainy day. What's your go-to #selfcare activity? #SAAM #30DaysofSAAM @nsvrc

For 30 Days of SAAM Day 20- Inspiration (this is probably the only one I'll do) "Be the person you needed when you were younger" It could be 6 year old me, sexually abused by my another child in my class, or 20 year old me, sexually abused by my first boyfriend. I want to be the hero I needed back then, I want to encourage myself to keep going, to tell myself that I AM worth something. I want to only show love for myself. I also want to try to be that for other people. I would write more but, suddenly I'm at a loss for words.

"Rape culture is…⠀ …the existence of “Keep Calm and Rape A Lot” t-shirts. They really, seriously exist.⠀ …the media’s constant glossing-over of sexual assault with euphemistic language: “inappropriate behaviour,” “sexual misconduct,” and even plain old “having sex.”⠀ …Facebook’s refusal to pull sadistically graphic images of violence against women (while deeming photos of breastfeeding moms to be objectionable)!⠀ …a beauty website that calls toddlers “effing hot” – even the preschool set can’t escape objectification!⠀ …a magazine editor’s blasé admission that “the women we feature in the magazine are ornamental” and “objectified.”⠀ …major news outlets waxing sympathetic about how two teen rapists’ “promising” lives will be destroyed by a youthful mistake, without once mentioning how the rape might affect the survivor.⠀ …kids who call losing a sports game “getting totally raped.”⠀ …a pizza marketing campaign that makes a joke out of rape.⠀ …a subculture of self-proclaimed “ratters” who hack into women’s computers and steal their photos.⠀ …college women being instructed to vomit or urinate on demand to protect themselves against rape.⠀ …10,000 untested rape kits collecting dust on a shelf somewhere.⠀ …and sadly, a lot of other soul-destroying nonsense you’ll be forced to wade through every single day of your life.⠀ But here’s the thing. If, as Emilie Buchwald suggests, the normalization of sexualized violence has “saturated every corner of our culture so thoroughly that people can’t easily wrap their heads around what rape culture actually is,” then we need to take care not to let ourselves or the people around us become desensitized. We need to notice this stuff, get outraged, and share our outrage with others. Staying aware of rape culture is painful work, but we can’t interrupt the culture of violence unless we are willing to see it for what it is." - Alana Prochuk for WAVAW read more here http://bit.ly/2mDMBAv⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #rapeculture #30daysofSAAM #wavaw #nomeansno #stoprapeeducate #notmypresident #resist #consent

@nsvrc #30daysofsaam #day18 Believe Survivors. This means every time. This does not mean only if they have a conviction. This does not mean only if their story adds up in your head. This does not mean only if they reported in an "appropriate" amount of time. Believe survivors. For one, convictions mean nothing, because we all know OJ Simpson got off free, but that doesnt mean it didn't happen. For two, survivors don't remember things linearly because their brain tries to protect them from trauma. Pesky brain. For three, you don't know why someone didn't come forward right away. It took me ages to say anything, because I thought I was being punished. You don't get to dictate that. No. Believe all survivors, because it doesnt hurt you, it supports them, and they feel more empowered to take care of themselves, or report, or heal. I live in a world where I don't think it's unusual to treat people with that sort of dignity. Join me there. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwbE9x0FTXk/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oj6w96y2ykz3

@nsvrc #30daysofsaam #day23 Healing and resiliency. If you are local, grab a copy of the Athol Daily News, because I was featured today! I spoke a little about my story, my healing journey, and about the group I am starting in the area to help others heal. Healing is not linear. It's a cycle. Sometimes we backtrack. Some days are better than others. It is important not to get down on ourselves too often. Next meeting of Finding Hope Athol is on May 7th, at 6pm at the Athol Congregational Church. This is a group for survivors, run by survivors, and we will learn strategies to help us cope with those difficult days on our healing journey. Come join us. 💙 https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwm5MPrlb-_/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vl1zlpw8umg5

@nsvrc #30daysofsaam #day15 how I spread sexual assault awareness during April. I mean, I like to think I spread it year round. But in April, I do the instagram contest, and make myself even more open. This year, I started a support group with @youniquefoundation. Finding Hope Athol meets tomorrow, April 16th at 6pm at the Athol Congregational Church. https://www.instagram.com/p/BwTF8uEFw9J/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7627j8lmj8eb

#30daysofsaam @nsvrc day 13: show off you #SAAM Swag! I love this shirt! I got it last year and wore it all around Disney World! I even got a @purplewallphotos pic! Im not waering it today because i have to wash it, so you guys get an older photo today. #purplewall