Sexual violence
Last evening in Wheeling, West Virginia I attended a screening of the documentary film Brave Miss World. Several organizations including the Sexual Assault Help Center, Temple Shalom, Vance Presbyterian Church, The Catholic Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, the Junior League, the YWCA and others sponsored the screening and brought the woman who made the film, Cecilia Peck (daughter of Gregory Peck) to Wheeling to lead the discussion and meet with community members. The film is the story of how the abduction, stabbing, and rape of Ms. Israel Linor Abargil six weeks prior her being crowned Miss World led to the connection of many from around the world – both women and men – who have been victims of sexual violence. It is the story of the leadership of Linor Abargil in using her experience to find ways to heal and help others to heal; to help communities in many countries and culture face the unpleasant reality of sexual violence. It is also the story of an increasing number of women film makers who are using this medium to call attention to issues which need to be a universal concern. Many, for example, are familiar with the work of Elaine McMillion Sheldon whose films Heroines and Recovery Boys have brought attention to some efforts to address opioid addiction.
Statistics vary, but a number of sources indicate that in many communities as many as 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males will be sexually abuse before age 18. 34 % of people who sexually abuse a child are family members (americanspcc.org).
One of the scenes in the movie Brave Miss World depicts a group of apparently drunken ivy league male college students chanting: “No mean yes. Yes means anal.”
What are communities around the world doing to stop sexual abuse of children and adults. Certainly Sexual Assault Help Centers, the Me Too Movement, YWCA and some other organizations are doing their part to insist that this issue be addressed.
Here in the United States The National Organization Of Men Against Sexism have addressed these and related issues since the 1970ies. I was a member of this organization for a number of years. I am not sure how active it is now, although there are a number of individuals including Doug Gertner (Grateful Dad) and Dr. Robert Brannon who have devoted a lot of their personal and professional life to addressing issues such as violence against women and other forms of oppression.
Increased prosecution, prison time and sexual offender lists have not addressed the core issues and, as far as I can determine, have not slowed sexual abuse or other forms of violence. Accurate statistics are difficult to come by and, records, such as sexual offender lists are kept by states. The laws about who is on these lists also vary according to states and countries.
The Roman Catholic Church is currently being forced to address a long history of sexual abuse by priests. Some dioceses have historically been very proactive in addressing sexual abuse and some have not.
We must do more to identify and address the root causes of sexual abuse. More of we males need to assume strong leadership roles in this effort. We must, I believe, do more than identify, prosecute and jail abusers. This does not address the root causes and is financially, emotionally, legally and spiritually very expensive. Once someone is a victim of sexual abuse the price for them is horrendous. Ironically, most of our approach has to do with the legal system which entails tax money from victims and non-victims.
What is the role of us males in identifying and addressing the root causes of sexual violence as well as other forms of oppression? What is our role as fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, and community leaders? What is our role as service providers, teachers, and coaches? What is our role as business people who use sexual materials to sell everything from food to automobiles? What is our role as social scientists and legislators? Are we ready to ask the difficult, often uncomfortable questions about intimacy, sexual activity and violence?
Written November 5, 2018
Last evening in Wheeling, West Virginia I attended a screening of the documentary film Brave Miss World. Several organizations including the Sexual Assault Help Center, Temple Shalom, Vance Presbyterian Church, The Catholic Diocese of Wheeling Charleston, the Junior League, the YWCA and others sponsored the screening and brought the woman who made the film, Cecilia Peck (daughter of Gregory Peck) to Wheeling to lead the discussion and meet with community members. The film is the story of how the abduction, stabbing, and rape of Ms. Israel Linor Abargil six weeks prior her being crowned Miss World led to the connection of many from around the world – both women and men – who have been victims of sexual violence. It is the story of the leadership of Linor Abargil in using her experience to find ways to heal and help others to heal; to help communities in many countries and culture face the unpleasant reality of sexual violence. It is also the story of an increasing number of women film makers who are using this medium to call attention to issues which need to be a universal concern. Many, for example, are familiar with the work of Elaine McMillion Sheldon whose films Heroines and Recovery Boys have brought attention to some efforts to address opioid addiction.
Statistics vary, but a number of sources indicate that in many communities as many as 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males will be sexually abuse before age 18. 34 % of people who sexually abuse a child are family members (americanspcc.org).
One of the scenes in the movie Brave Miss World depicts a group of apparently drunken ivy league male college students chanting: “No mean yes. Yes means anal.”
What are communities around the world doing to stop sexual abuse of children and adults. Certainly Sexual Assault Help Centers, the Me Too Movement, YWCA and some other organizations are doing their part to insist that this issue be addressed.
Here in the United States The National Organization Of Men Against Sexism have addressed these and related issues since the 1970ies. I was a member of this organization for a number of years. I am not sure how active it is now, although there are a number of individuals including Doug Gertner (Grateful Dad) and Dr. Robert Brannon who have devoted a lot of their personal and professional life to addressing issues such as violence against women and other forms of oppression.
Increased prosecution, prison time and sexual offender lists have not addressed the core issues and, as far as I can determine, have not slowed sexual abuse or other forms of violence. Accurate statistics are difficult to come by and, records, such as sexual offender lists are kept by states. The laws about who is on these lists also vary according to states and countries.
The Roman Catholic Church is currently being forced to address a long history of sexual abuse by priests. Some dioceses have historically been very proactive in addressing sexual abuse and some have not.
We must do more to identify and address the root causes of sexual abuse. More of we males need to assume strong leadership roles in this effort. We must, I believe, do more than identify, prosecute and jail abusers. This does not address the root causes and is financially, emotionally, legally and spiritually very expensive. Once someone is a victim of sexual abuse the price for them is horrendous. Ironically, most of our approach has to do with the legal system which entails tax money from victims and non-victims.
What is the role of us males in identifying and addressing the root causes of sexual violence as well as other forms of oppression? What is our role as fathers, husbands, uncles, grandfathers, and community leaders? What is our role as service providers, teachers, and coaches? What is our role as business people who use sexual materials to sell everything from food to automobiles? What is our role as social scientists and legislators? Are we ready to ask the difficult, often uncomfortable questions about intimacy, sexual activity and violence?
Written November 5, 2018
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