PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Confronting Sexual Violence in Ourselves and Our Communities Conference
by wof922 Thursday, Jan. 02, 2003 at 6:22 PM

This conference will focus on activist communities and the devastating impact of sexual violence to ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our movements. We ask everyone--male, female, trans, queer, straight, white, black, brown--to look into yourselves about issues of sexual violence and how this relates to all of our lives. We strongly encourage you to prioritize this. This is about our lives !! Please come. Since all of us were taught that this is a women's issue, we especially urge men to come and learn about how this human issue relates to all of us.

This conference will focus on activist communities and the devastating impact of sexual violence to ourselves, our loved ones, our communities, and our movements. We ask everyone--male, female, trans, queer, straight, white, black, brown--to look into yourselves about issues of sexual violence and how this relates to all of our lives. We strongly encourage you to prioritize this.

This is about our lives !!

Please come.

Since all of us were taught that this is a women's issue, we especially urge men to come and learn about how this human issue relates to all of us.

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Conference Highlights

Fishbowl --we will kick-off the teach-in by putting theory aside & directly confronting the impact of sexual assault on teach-in participants. In the fishbowl session, female-identified people will voluntarily share their experiences with sexual violence to the larger group. Women will be the only ones speaking during this time, and male-identified people will have what is a privileged opportunity to hear the raw effect sexual assault and sexism have on NE Ohio women. The exercise is set-up so all have support and safe spaces to go if it gets overwhelming. On day two, there will be another fishbowl for men to talk about their role in sexual assault and sexism, as perpetrators or survivors.

Break-Out Sessions on Sexism and Sexual Violence--three for: trans, female, male participants

Special Concerns for Activists--police, organizational issues, etc. ...

Sexual Violence and Queer/Trans People

Self-Defense--skills to defend oneself against attack

Discussion of Rape Culture--how we learn myths about sexual violence, etc.

How to Support a Survivor of Sexual Violence--what support really means

Healing Ourselves & Communities--how to move forward positively

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Volunteers & Donations Needed

Food: durgaldur@juno.com
Housing: schism216@hotmail.com
Set-up/Clean-up: reciprocity27@yahoo.com
Childcare: core@mutualaid.org

Call 216.228.9180 for info on making a donation


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Conference Ground Rules to build trust before we even start

1. No discrimination based on age, class, ability, gender identity, race, nationality or sexual orientation
2. Commit to Confidentiality. No media reporting & no police allowed inside
3. Be sensitive about information shared and respect all participants
4. Commit to productive and open interactions. Avoid guilt and defensiveness.

www.clevelandmas.org

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