We Will Not Go Quietly - Centre Against Sexual Assault

KATE RAVENSCROFT
& MATHEW JAMES
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITORS
Sexual assault and sexual abuse are topics that no one really wants to hear
about. And yet, one in ive women and one in twenty men worldwide will
become victims of sexual violence in their lifetimes.
Few of these sexual crimes are reported, and for those that are, conviction
rates are extremely low. Much sexual violence is perpetrated not in the
mythological back alleys or deserted streets – although some are – but in
homes, workplaces and social spaces. Far too frequently, perpetrators are not
strangers but people known; husbands, brothers, fathers, bosses. Far too often
it is family or friends, those whom we trust, who commit these crimes.
And yet, although sexual violence is common – a frequent occurrence in the
world we live in – stories of surviving sexual violence, of living on, of putting a
life and a self back together after, are rarely heard, rarely valued.
In fact, when we tell our stories, they are often met with disbelief, disregard,
or dismissal as “not that bad”. The damage done by these thoughtless
reactions can be monumental. It can take just one experience like this to
keep a person silent for years. Some never discuss their experience again.
And so, We Will Not Go Quietly, was born of a need. The need to speak
and hear these stories of survival. The need to create and foster a space
where victims and survivors of sexual violence can speak of their experience
and have it heard, have it validated. Sexual violence may be a reality of
the world we live in – and an exceedingly ugly one at that – but survival is
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the other side of that horriic truth. All around us are those living on after
surviving sexual violence, reconstructing their lives and their selves and, using
their experience to counter a culture that has for far too long facilitated and
covered up sexual violence.
Every victim/survivor has a story to tell and very few of them get to do it
on their terms. We Will Not Go Quietly is a space where victim/survivors
can speak in their own words, on their own terms and where their survival
is honoured. By providing this space, by listening to survivors, by honouring
survival we hope to show not only the damage a culture of sexual violence
creates, but the way out.
Sexual violence is a disgrace, a burden and a far too frequent occurrence.
But we can change that. Speak, even if your voice hurts. Listen, even if your
heart breaks.
We will not go quietly - Because our voices demand to be heard.
Kate and Matt
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For more stories of survival, or to contribute your own, see:
http://notgoquietly.tumblr.com