The mission of PAVE (Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment) is refreshingly simple: “Shatter the silence of sexual violence through social, educational, and legislative tactics.” As a society, we can talk about all kinds of crimes, including murders, gangs, and domestic violence, with no problem. We don't think twice about preparing kids about what to do in a fire, earthquake, or tornado. We observe and discuss how the media over-sexualizes teenagers. We go to the movies and laugh at slapstick or dark, inappropriate humor; we even watch horror movies with a sense of enjoyment.
As to “CSI,” “Law and Order”--piece of cake! And we barely flinch at “Dr. 90210” as he works away at the human body in search of perfection.
Yet despite all this, people are incredibly uncomfortable when the subject is abuse—particularly sexual abuse. Well, it's time. Just as it was time about 10 years ago to make breast cancer a focus of national concern, it is time for us to feel just as comfortable discussing how to keep our bodies safe. And the best way to do it is to hear from those who have experienced abuse so we can listen to their stories and learn.
As the world has been mesmerized over the dramatic return of Jaycee Dugard, we all need to be reminded that sexual assault happens every day. Maybe there aren’t the dramatic abductions or climatic returns, but every day women, men, boys and girls are abused. They’re joined by the young, the old, the white, black, brown, the religious and the non-religious.
And while many people think only those who have been assaulted care about this issue, I am here to tell you that is not so. Each of us, whether abused or not, personally affected by sexual assault or not, can help shatter the silence by being involved, being active, and supporting amazing organizations like PAVE (www.pavingtheway.net).
“How?” you may ask. Well, you can begin by commenting on articles that are outrageous, sending cases that need to be publicized to Justice Interrupted (a radio show that brings media attention to the crimes where justice has been interrupted), supporting organizations, and spreading the word and news about such cases.
This week, you can help protest sexual assault by helping PAVE…. Join me at an event TONIGHT: Thursday, September 17. PAVE will be holding an benefit event of art, empowerment, and star power. “Removing the Mask: Art and Soul to Shatter the Silence of Sexual Violence” from 7:00-10:00pm at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 Grand Ave, Los Angeles. This year’s event promises to be a highlight of the season with celebrities, elected officials, and performance art! Learn More Here
If you can’t make it, you can still send a donation or show your support by passing the information on to others. Make this your day to do something to help shatter the silence…..and give your support to your friends at PAVE (www.pavingtheway.net).
Last week I couldn’t wrap my brain around all the hoopla that surrounded President Obama’s speech to students. According to the White House, the stated goal of the President’s remarks (Titled “My Education, My Future”) was to inspire students to get engaged “on the importance of taking responsibility for their education, and to challenge them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed.”
HELLO, am I missing something!? What was the big deal…!
Now that it’s behind us, I still don’t understand why pundits were berating the President, parents were blasting emails, and bloggers were getting their panties in a bunch over this speech.
Seriously, what was the fuss was about? I want to understand why it is really such a bad thing to urge our children to go to school, to use government as a means to inspire our young ones, and to then have follow-up lessons that relate to the concepts the President laid out in his speech? I keep searching for the rationale as to why parents would keep their children home in efforts to protect them from the “outrageous” themes of the power of education and the benefits to being involved in a government effort.
President Obama urged students to consider this year their opportunity to succeed, regardless of the past. Why was this a bad thing?
A suggested lesson plan that called on school kids to write letters to themselves about how they can help achieve what President Obama suggested (remember, it was that they take their education seriously) -- this was “troubling” to some education experts! Why? Because they claimed it “establishes the president as a ‘superintendent-in- chief’ and may indoctrinate children to support him politically.”
Are you people serious???
If one speech by the President is now considered indoctrination, we are in real trouble here in the United States. The speech should be an opportunity to open-up some good old-fashioned discussion. Come on -- kids K-6 aren’t going to be discussing politics in the classroom! For those middle school and high school students – it should bring up a healthy debate (about education).
But is anyone really debating that education is important? Focusing on doing well in school is a positive value that should be bi-partisan!
Aren’t there things that are so much more worthy of angry blogging and our society’s collective energy? I mean, the President was just trying to encourage our kids to go back to school. Can’t we set aside our political bickering to focus on our kids for one day? To really focus on the idea that our kids deserve inspiration and that our President was trying to provide some?
Couldn’t we use the energy everyone expelled to blast the President to do good things, to invoke change, to be involved – rather than just expressing venomous criticism?
If you are a parent out there who is really convinced that Obama’s speech indoctrinated your child… go ahead and correct the President’s message: tell your kids that focusing on education is not important, that being a serious student will not actually pay off, and that engaging in your studies is futile – that should help to combat Obama’s “offensive” words!!
Usually, I’m really not that politically oriented, as most of you know! I’m just trying to point out that if all those trigger-happy adults put down their cell phones, got up from their computers, and looked over at their children (who just heard our President’s speech) – they might see something rare these days—the glow of an inspired child who “got it”-- even though some so-called “adults” didn’t.
“It’s the most wonderful time of year.” Yes, we’re talking about back-to-school. But don’t feel guilty: you know it’s true! And it’s not just the most wonderful time of year for you -- it’s the most wonderful time for our kids, too. Why? Because kids love stucture! They love schedules, certainty, and routines. And since we’re all kids deep down inside, we like structure, too!
So, as your kids begin their school year, take a moment to add a “New School Year” resolution. Perhaps it’s setting clothes out the night before, waking up 10 minutes earlier, coming up with a homework regimen. Whatever it is, don’t wait for January 1st to make a subtle (but meaningful) change or two.
And for all you non-parents, or parents of adult children, use this as a time to reconfigure your life! Think of one small thing you can do to relieve the stress, the craziness, or tensions in your life. Maybe it’s adding an automatic email response on weekends that says, “It’s the weekend. I am relaxing/am with my family, and I’ll return your email on Monday.”
If that’s too extreme, you can include an evening stroll with a loved one, a spouse, a friend or just solo after dinner. Whatever it is…take a moment to make this new school year a happy one!
I know you’re probably wondering why Robin, the true crime expert, is writing about such “fluffy” stuff. Well, as I read the LA Times today about the snafus that VH1 made in identifying Jasmine Fiore’s (alleged) killer, Ryan Jenkins, when checking his background, I wondered how these “snafus” could keep happening time and time again.
VH1 blamed it on “clerical” errors. Hmmm. This is the third story of “clerical“ errors in the LA Times in one month that resulted in a tragic death: Lily Burke, Dea’Von Bailey, and now Jasmine. And while I address these in more detail in my Huffington Post piece, I still can’t help thinking that if people (clerks, included) made meaningful changes in their lives—both professionally and personally—perhaps we would see a newspaper with no reports of deaths due to “clerical” errors.
For that matter, let’s all take inventory, make changes, and make this the most wonderful year we’ve ever had.
But what struck me so forcefully was the need to network, connect, and lean on our colleagues. Despite the fact that we are in an economic crisis, professionals, advocates, and others should get together and meet to share ideas , to brainstorm, to vent….to grow. I have found that you can always find someone you can connect with, regardless of the makeup of a group.
In addition to the educational benefits at seminars, there is another, more important benefit: getting to know your colleagues and hang out with them, both professionally and person. There is tremendous gain for everyone when you take the time to get to know the people around you.
In a time where we achieve most of our connectedness via digital devices—computers, pda’s and cell phones, I suggest we get out of our offices, off our chairs, and away from our computer screens to get out and meet people. Whether an author, advocate, lawyer, entertainer, a business person, or a parent—all of us need the support of others. Whether you have a conference or seminar to go to or not, create opportunities to meet people. Make coffee dates and lunch plans and connect with people. There are amazing people out there doing amazing things and you should know about them!
Most people know that I am no shrinking violet! People use words like outspoken and opinionated when they talk about me. And, yes: unlike most I don’t just think about issues, mull them over, and quietly decide them in my head. I think about issues, mull them over, and usually publicly express them.
But more than coming up with an idea or an opinion, I relish the opportunities to hash them out, learn from others, and put my theories to the test. This week, I did that in my article in The Huffington Post where I (un)objectively weighed in on a recent article about sex crimes in The Economist.
I loved that both my article - as well as the original article in The Economist - has caused much banter (in comments) between very passionate and opinionated people. I loved that opinions make people think, question, and decide their own mind. Frankly, debate and sparring is good. Just ask my friends Darren Kavinoky, Mark Geragos, David Diamond, or Mark Werksman about how we can agree to disagree. We can be passionate about our opinions and our ideas while still being respectful to each other as people.
The thing that really makes no sense to me is that there are a countless number of people who have no problem blogging, commenting, and emailing with only venomous, mean spirited, and shallow things to say. I guess I should feel good that my opinions evoke hate mail because at least my words have left an impression and are making an impact. However, I wish that as we look at the issues that evoke so much passion we all could stop and listen so as to make positive steps forward in our society. Instead, decisions are often made on impulse, emotion or fueled by anger and hatred. That is no way to make progress.
But just after I put the final touches on my piece, the Los Angeles Times printed an article highlighting the criminal history and the snafus that allowed Charles Samuel, a violent criminal, out on the streets, our streets, to kill one of our own. This was not the first time this month that a government agency messed up. I’d like to draw your attention back to six-year-old Dae'von Bailey, who was murdered by his mom’s ex-boyfriend’s, Marcas Fisher, despite a dozen phone warnings to the Department of Children Services.
This is unacceptable! Yet, where is the outrage? Where is the disgust? Why aren’t these unforgivable omissions being discussed national networks? We have all heard about the exchange between Professor Henry Louis Gates and Sergeant James Crowley. And while that may have been a case of mutual snafus, poor manners, and according to some (not me) “racism,” the event drew international attention, climaxed by a “beer summit!”
Why, then, aren’t we demanding a summit addressing the accountability of government agencies to ensure that our children are safe?
As a loyal saxfacts reader, I invite you to share my outrage. Blog, write, or speak up and share your stories. Share the stories of incompetency, injustice, unfairness. Don’t keep them in—let them out, share them, and make your voices heard!!!
The only way to create change is to speak up and protest the agency laxity that leads to the death of innocent children. If you don’t know where to write, email me at robin@robinsax.com. I have tons of suggestions for where your voice can be heard and your thoughts can be shared!
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