A National Campaign about Sexual Violence, Please!
Today, I had the opportunity to read a very thoughtful article written by Anna Kegler, posted on Huffington Post: Sexual Violence Prevention: It's Time to Go Big. I highly encourage you to read the article. It discusses the lack of a national "public service" campaign to prevent sexual violence beyond communties on the internet. As the other staff people at Transitions can tell you, I enjoy reading (and sharing!) news stories and other media that I see involving domestic violence, sexual assault and other topics that affect our clients. However, I had never really thought about the fact that there is no national campaign for preventing sexual abuse. The only media that I have recently seen about domestic violence or sexual abuse is on billboards. In today's digital world, billboards are not enough. Perhaps because domestic violence agencies and rape crisis centers are found in most communties, people think there is enough awareness. Victims have a place to go, shouldn't that be enough? No, it's not enough. I agree with Ms. Kegler that a national campaign would go far to help victims, family or friends of victims and local centers.
There is no mascot for a child to look at when they think about telling an adult they are being abused. Smokey the Bear first appeared in 1944. Almost 70 years later, he still is recognizable and teaches children about fire safety. He also teaches them that they have the power to stop forest fires. Who is there to tell them that they also have power over their bodies?
A color is not enough. Many people are starting to connect a teal ribbon with sexual abuse awareness, and for that, I am thankful. However, a ribbon does not provide referrals to appropriate agencies or a toll-free number to call. It does not provide a dialogue for victims to connect to their own story. A national campaign could.
Sexual violence has been the topic of much media coverage in 2012, but that is not good enough. I am glad that perpetrators are being caught, and that news stations are showing victims that there are consequences for hurting others. However, in today's 24-hour new cycle, those stories go away after something else happens. Media coverage is also subjective and not all of it is positive. A positive, consistent message to all that sexual violence is not accepted would be preferred. Here's an example of an ad that recently ran during a Nascar race.
Ms. Kegler has a valid point, that as budgets grow smaller, and staff positions are cut at domestic violence agencies and rape crisis centers, we cannot allocate scarce funds to local campaigns. Here at Transitions, we try to create our own awareness with teal ribbons for sexual assault awareness month and events throughout the year, but our staff of 12 cannot possibly reach all the people that a television or radio commercial can.
I am not sure who my plea is directed towards...perhaps The National Ad Council, perhaps The Foundation for a Better Life. Either way, I wanted to share Anna Kegler's article and add our voice to those who are calling for a large scale campaign to address sexual violence.
There is no mascot for a child to look at when they think about telling an adult they are being abused. Smokey the Bear first appeared in 1944. Almost 70 years later, he still is recognizable and teaches children about fire safety. He also teaches them that they have the power to stop forest fires. Who is there to tell them that they also have power over their bodies?
A color is not enough. Many people are starting to connect a teal ribbon with sexual abuse awareness, and for that, I am thankful. However, a ribbon does not provide referrals to appropriate agencies or a toll-free number to call. It does not provide a dialogue for victims to connect to their own story. A national campaign could.
Sexual violence has been the topic of much media coverage in 2012, but that is not good enough. I am glad that perpetrators are being caught, and that news stations are showing victims that there are consequences for hurting others. However, in today's 24-hour new cycle, those stories go away after something else happens. Media coverage is also subjective and not all of it is positive. A positive, consistent message to all that sexual violence is not accepted would be preferred. Here's an example of an ad that recently ran during a Nascar race.
Ms. Kegler has a valid point, that as budgets grow smaller, and staff positions are cut at domestic violence agencies and rape crisis centers, we cannot allocate scarce funds to local campaigns. Here at Transitions, we try to create our own awareness with teal ribbons for sexual assault awareness month and events throughout the year, but our staff of 12 cannot possibly reach all the people that a television or radio commercial can.
I am not sure who my plea is directed towards...perhaps The National Ad Council, perhaps The Foundation for a Better Life. Either way, I wanted to share Anna Kegler's article and add our voice to those who are calling for a large scale campaign to address sexual violence.
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