Media Backlash

This week there were a number of articles and stories in the mainstream news questioning statistics about rape, pointing out the disproportionate impact on women usually generated by NISVS and the White House report. Two of these articles are listed below:

‘Guilty Until Proven Innocent: The Skewed White House Crusade on Sexual Assault’ by Cathy Young through TIME;

Ashley Maier, in response to this media backlash in an email to the PreventConnect listserv, wrote:

I’m thinking about this in a number of ways:

• Support – I’m reminded of what we’re up against and thankful for the support and community we provide each other in what can be the lonely world of sexual violence prevention.
• Moving forward – I wonder how we can best move forward in this context, in this culture that questions whether sexual violence is really even a problem.  
• Looking back – I look back at the advocates who have worked to highlight violence against women, to provide remedies, and to prevent it, for years and years and years. I try to remember that we have made progress and trust that we will make more. 

Prevention is possible.