Pledge A Safer Place

a brighter statistic

2009-11-20T23:38:00.000-08:00

"WHAT WOULD YOU DO?
74% of college men would intervene to prevent a sexual assault
You could save a friend from becoming a victim of sexual assault.
Or from committing a crime.
If you or someone you know needs help, you’re not alone.
National Sexual Assault Hotlines
1.800.656.HOPE or www.rainn.org
Free. Safe. Confidential."

RAINN is holding a poster contest. The above is one of the text options for the poster. The statistic sounds promising. I have only one pledge from a male so far, and that is due to my fear to approach males to watch my video or make a pledge. But, every time I show my video and everytime I ask for pledges I become stronger. The male pledges will come soon. I think my biggest fear is asking males to watch the video and then what if they are not affected by it? What if they don't care to make the world safer? Those who just don't care are just as dangerous to me as the ones who are violent. Complacency makes the world a dangerous place.
Blessings,
Jessie

the language we choose...

2009-11-20T22:20:00.000-08:00

Tonight I was presented with an awareness raising moment while bowling. (Social Activism can happen anywhere, anytime) I overheard a comment along these lines, "Don't you hate it when you get raped like that?" The exact phrase may be wrong but it was very similar. This was in response to someone's turn at bowling. A little nervous (but with my pledge in mind) I talked with this person about using that phrase.

The language we choose creates the world we live in.
Do we want to create a world where rape is joked about?
What do we support? The words and phrases we use demonstrate that.
We have the power to choose a language that is supportive and safe.
Blessings,
Jessie

pledge 12

2009-11-20T22:09:00.000-08:00

Thank You

Pledge11

2009-11-20T22:06:00.000-08:00

Thank You

Pledge10

2009-11-20T22:04:00.000-08:00

Thank You

Pledge9

2009-11-20T22:01:00.000-08:00

Thank You

The Silent Numbers

2009-11-19T20:25:00.000-08:00

According to the FBI, 1 in 3 women will be the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime. These statistics are based on the cases that have been reported. I never reported. According to these statistics I am not that 1. Statistically, I am not represented.

X = the number of victims silenced. The next time you are in a room filled with women, every third woman will represent the FBI numbers but how many women in that room will have an X across their mouths?

real men don't rape....

2009-11-18T10:54:00.000-08:00

anyone familiar with this slogan? Well I'd like to add to that. Real men don't rape and real men don't support those men who do. Please pledge.

pledge8

2009-11-18T09:17:00.000-08:00

Thank You

pledge7

2009-11-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Thank You

pledge6

2009-11-18T09:06:00.000-08:00

Thank You

pledge5

2009-11-18T09:03:00.000-08:00

Thank you

pledge4

2009-11-18T05:48:00.000-08:00

Thank you

pledge3

2009-11-18T05:44:00.000-08:00

Thank You

2009-11-18T05:31:00.000-08:00

Thank You

Pledge A Safer Place

2009-11-16T11:29:00.000-08:00

Every 9 seconds in the US a woman is beaten...
Every 46 seconds a woman is forcibly raped...
According to the FBI, 1 in 3 females will be the victim of attempted rape in her lifetime...
Men are victims too...
1 in 6 boys will be sexually assaulted by the time they are 18
Most victims know their attacker or attackers...
Statistics are based on cases that have been reported...
This means the numbers are higher...

I never reported when I was raped. I have been a victim for years, scared and shamed by what happened to me. I am through with being a victim. I am a survivor and I am ready to:

Speak Up about domestic violence and sexual assault.
Speak Out against it.
Support Others who are victims, know victims, or just want to be part of a campaign to help bring an end to violence.

Inspired by Ben Harper's song "With My Own Two Hands" (sung with Jack Johnson)
I realized all the power to change the world starts here in my hands. SO, I pledge to make this world a safer place with my own two hands.

I have created a video that I will be showing to as many people as I can. After watching I will ask them to make a video pledge. Pledging is free. By pledging, they support the end of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. I will post the video pledges here. What started with one person's pledge will become a large circle of people united through their pledge. We have the power in our hands.

Please support A Safer Place. Share your stories, pledges, comments with us here.
Thank you and thank you to all who are brave enough to make video pledges, especially those who are victims and have been willing to share that.
Peace,
Jessie