This month, the Bangor Daily News has been running daily Op Eds about sexual assault awareness, prevention, and education from groups and individuals throughout the state of Maine. We’ve heard from board members from non-profit groups, staff members at various in-state organizations, police officers, nurses and many more. We were thrilled to be a part of 2013’s Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and part of the larger conversation that happened here in Portland and beyond. From our performance at Planned Parenthood on the 11th to the annual Take Back the Night rally and march on the 26th, we were honored to be a part of this community’s challenge to end sexual sexual assault.
Below is a list of the Op Eds that were published throughout the month, including one from our Producer, Shana on April 29th. We encourage you to browse through this list and read the thoughts of people in our community, locally and state-wide, who are working to end sexual assault.
- On Guard against sexual violence: http://arguably.bangordailynews.com/2013/03/29/people/on-guard-against-sexual-violence/
- When victims of sexual assault see justice: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/03/31/opinion/when-victims-of-sexual-assault-see-justice/
- (This title is misleading, but): Maine’s only sexual violence educator calls for cultural change: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/01/opinion/maines-only-male-sexual-violence-educator-calls-for-cultural-change/
- Complacency about domestic and sexual violence equals complicity: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/02/opinion/complacency-about-domestic-and-sexual-violence-equals-complicity/
- Helping sexual assault survivors: It’s their story, not ours: http://arguably.bangordailynews.com/2013/04/05/people/helping-sexual-assault-survivors-its-their-story-not-ours/
- How the military is slowly overcoming a history of sexual violence: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/07/opinion/how-the-military-is-slowly-overcoming-a-history-of-sexual-violence/
- How to support a victim of child sexual abuse: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/08/opinion/contributors/how-to-support-a-victim-of-child-sexual-abuse/
- The complex reality of preventing, responding to sexual violence: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/09/opinion/the-complex-reality-of-preventing-responding-to-sexual-violence/
- Get outraged about sexual assault: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/10/opinion/get-outraged-about-sexual-assault/
- The challenge of overcoming sexual violence in small communities: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/11/opinion/the-challenge-of-overcoming-sexual-violence-in-small-communities/
- Hospital procedures, though scary, can help sexual assault survivors heal, regain control: http://arguably.bangordailynews.com/2013/04/12/people/hospital-procedures-though-scary-can-help-sexual-assault-survivors-heal-regain-control/
- Lessons learned after sexual exploitation of Deaf students in Maine: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/14/opinion/lessons-learned-after-sexual-exploitation-of-deaf-students-in-maine/
- When will men stand up to violence? http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/15/opinion/when-will-men-stand-up-to-violence/
- Best responses to sexual assaults focus on the victim: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/16/opinion/best-responses-to-sexual-assaults-focus-on-the-victim/
- Healthy sexuality starts with communication, respect: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/17/opinion/healthy-sexuality-starts-with-communication-respect/
- Listen up: Sexual violence does not discriminate: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/18/opinion/listen-up-sexual-violence-does-not-discriminate/
- Collective trauma: Its impact and how we heal: http://arguably.bangordailynews.com/2013/04/19/people/collective-trauma-its-impact-and-how-we-heal/
- Dear service provider: I’m gay: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/20/opinion/dear-service-provider-im-gay/
- The sex offenders you don’t know: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/22/opinion/the-sex-offenders-you-dont-know/
- Through a nurse’s eyes: Caring for sexual assault victims: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/23/opinion/contributors/through-a-nurses-eyes-caring-for-sexual-assault-victims/
- Understanding the needs of male sexual assault victims: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/24/opinion/contributors/understanding-the-needs-of-male-sexual-assault-victims/
- Do you catcall women as they walk down the street? http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/25/opinion/do-you-catcall-women-as-they-walk-down-the-street/
- Talking to Maine children about child abuse: http://arguably.bangordailynews.com/2013/04/26/people/talking-to-maine-children-about-child-abuse/
- Let’s talk about sex: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/29/opinion/contributors/lets-talk-about-sex/
- The lives of sex trafficking victims in Maine: http://bangordailynews.com/2013/04/30/opinion/the-lives-of-sex-trafficking-victims-in-maine/
As Shana said in her piece, April and August/September are all big months for conversations around sexual assault education and prevention, as we concentrate our performances typically during college orientation. However, this leaves nine months out of the year where dialogue isn’t concentrated. There is no on- or off-season for sexual assault, and there are things we can do year-round to keep the conversation going. Keep telling your stories, and listening when people share their. Watch out for friends at parties or bars. Ask for and get consent, talk about what consent means, and talk about it with your friends and partners. Don’t let the conversation end when this month ends.