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Your Voice, Your View Radio Contest urges teens, especially guys, to challenge attitudes and
behaviors that support a culture of sexual violence -- Teens are urged to sign up via www.satrc.org by December 19th
For Immediate Release: December 12, 2005
Contact: Angeline Martyn, Director of Communications
Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center
401-421-4100 ext. 223, amartyn@satrc.org
The Sexual Assault & Trauma Resource Center (SATRC) calls upon teens, especially guys, to play a more active role in community safety by challenging attitudes and behaviors that support rape and other forms
of violence. SATRC is urging teens to participate in a radio contest to create their own 60 second commercial about sexual violence prevention. The winning ad will air on 92 PRO-FM and HOT 106 in April,
Sexual Assault Awareness Month. To be guaranteed a free workshop at their school, students must sign up by December 19th. Final entries are due February 27th, 2006. For more information visit
www.satrc.org.
Sexual violence takes many forms, from catcalls directed at women on the street to rape at gunpoint. Most people have been bystanders in a situation where they could have helped prevent sexual violence.
Small interventions like driving a friend home from a party can make a big difference in these kinds of situations. SATRC asks teens to use this radio ad to share their voices and views on how to help stop sexual assault. Root causes like cultural acceptance, sexual expectations, rape myths and gender stereotypes must be challenged in order to combat environmental support of sexual violence. Attitudes like "boys will be boys"
contribute to a culture that condones sexual harassment and assault. Behaviors like treating or talking about women as objects also create an environment that supports sexual violence. A comment or joke can
lead to perpetuation of false beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that lead to a sexual assault. Teenagers can take the first step towards preventing sexual assault by challenging a friend's sexist
comments. One common myth is that "If a girl dresses seductively, she is asking for sex." By confronting attitudes like this one, teens can help impact societal views that contribute to the prevalence of sexual assault. Teens who are bystanders in potentially sexually violent situations may feel embarrassed about intervening or tell themselves that it is not their business. However, speaking out against sexual violence is critical to
helping stop it. SATRC urges teens to participate in the Your Voice, Your View Radio Contest to use their voice to help end sexual violence. For more information contact Sandra Malone, Coordinator of Prevention Education at smalone@satrc.org or by calling 421-4100 ext. 246. |
