April 2013
The Advocate
The Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center newsletter
Change the rules!
Everyone deserves to be safe
by Mary Stolz-Newton, Assistant Director
Join us this April as we recognize sexual assault
awareness month in our community!
Most women we talk to immediately know what
we are talking about when we mention the “safety
rules.” If you ask men what they do on a daily
Our theme is “Change the rules! Everyone
basis to avoid rape, we usually get a laugh or a
deserves to be safe.” The “rules” refer to the
blank stare. Men often don’t think about living
list of safety measures all women and girls are
according to “the rules.” Sadly, these “rules”
taught from a very young age. Don’t walk alone don’t work. We have known for years that short
at night. Don’t set your drink down. Don’t go
skirts don’t cause rape. Walking alone doesn’t
anywhere alone. If you live alone, have a male
cause rape. Excessive drinking, partying, and
record the voice on your answering machine.
flirting don’t cause rape. The only person that
Use the buddy system. Don’t wear provocative
causes rape is a rapist. They are the ones who
clothes. Don’t give off the wrong signals. And choose to overstep boundaries. They are the ones
the list goes on…and on…and on.
who choose to ignore a “no” or a “I don’t feel
like this right now” or a “I don’t want to do this”
And at the end of this very long list, the
or a silence. As a result, they not only violate
overarching feeling is that we can’t and shouldn’t an individual survivor’s rights, but the entire
feel safe.
community’s right to safety.
We are excited to host several
community awareness events this
April. Please see inserts and join us
as we work together to end sexual
violence!
These “rules” must change. Potential perpetrators,
not potential victims, must be held to new rules
of behavior – and held accountable to those rules
by our community. The rules must include:
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• Don’t rape anyone.
• The use of violence, especially to exert
power and control over another
person, is never okay. • All people are equal and deserving of
respect, regardless of how they look,
their gender or race.
www.facebook.com/wichitasac
Visit our website
www.wichitasac.com
Again, we hope you will join us this April as we
raise awareness, outrage, and have conversations
about sexual violence in our community. Help us
CHANGE THE RULES! Everyone deserves to
feel safe. WASAC is proud to support a variety
of community events this April. Come out.
Bring a friend. Bring your neighbor. Bring your
family. Join us in conversation.
Got Cell Phones?
The safety of the survivors we support is of utmost importance. WASAC is in need of cell
phones that are in reasonable condition, with a battery and charger, will hold a charge and
power on. WASAC advocates give these phones to survivors because even without a cell phone
contract, the phone will still call 911. Any and all contributions that assist our survivors are
very much appreciated. You can drop off cell phone donations to our offices at 355 N. Waco, Suite 100, Wichita KS 67202
Crisis Line (316) 263-3002 ~~ Toll Free 1-877-WASAC4U ~~ Spanish Line (316) 263-2044
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