Penn State & Herman Cain

National Conversations from the Anti-Sexual Violence Experts & Advocates!

 Greetings!

As conversations heat up around Penn State and Herman Cain we want to give you a few opportunities to hear from voices within this movement.  How might we expect the Penn State case to be impacted by Title IX?  What are some of the underlying factors possible contributing to this “Code of Silence” and common misuse of power?  What are the next steps for creating larger social change and preventing similar cases?  We have also included Eve Ensler’s piece, OVER IT! and relevant resources.  Please take a moment to read these brief articles [links included].

Thank you for your work to address sexual violence within your community,
Kari Ramos, Outreach Director
NCASV

Breaking the Silence

by Co-founders of A CALL TO MEN - Promoting Healthy Manhood

“In the recent tragedy at Penn State it is reported that trusted Coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on 40 counts related to allegations os sexual abuse of eight boys over a 15-year period. This allegedly occured while other coaches looked on and kept silent about what they saw, what they knew and perhaps even tried to cover up for their colleague and the “the program.”

As men we have a long history invested in collusion with other men and codes of silence.  Also known as codes of honor, vows of silence, the blue curtain of silence with names like “the family” or “the brotherhood.”  Many of us, in our youth and adulthood, have participated in defining violators of the code of silence as haters, suckers, punks, rats, snitches, weasels, a snake, and much worse…”

To Continue reading A Call To Men, follow here…

Joe Paterno, Herman Cain, Men, Sex, and Power

by Kevin Powell, Activist, Writer

Excerpts:

“Joe Paterno. Herman Cain. Penn State football. Presidential campaigns. Men. Sex. Power. Women. Harassed. Children. Abused.

In the matter of Mr. Herman Cain I cringed, to be blunt, as I watched his press conference this week denying accusations of sexual harassment against him, which has swelled to four different women, two identified and two anonymous, for now. I was not there, so I don’t know, only he and the women know the truth. But what was telling in Mr. Cain’s remarks is that he was visibly defensive and defiant, rambled quite a bit about the media’s smear campaign and, most curious, only once mentioned sexual harassment as a major problem in America, and it was just one quick, passing sentence. Then he went back to discussing himself, which he is particularly adept at doing.”

Click Here to read Kevin Powell’s Blog and Full Article…

More Information & Relevant Resources

A big thank you to the Washington Coaltion of Sexual Assault Programs for providing this response and the relevant resources included:

“We are deeply saddened by the sexual abuse experienced and the lack of intervention for these youth.

We are further saddened by the reality that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be sexually abused by the age of 18. Prevention of sexual violence is the responsibility of adults. It is imperative that as adults we create safe environments, break the silence about sexual violence, reduce barriers to reporting, and engage in active bystander intervention.

We hope that from this tragedy individuals will have heightened awareness of sexual violence and become advocates of change; that there will be increased offender and bystander accountability; and that the strength of sexual assault survivors is recognized and honored.”

Related Resources, follow here…

OVER IT!

by Eve Ensler