From #MeToo to #WeToo
Donation protected
One year ago, The New York Times and The New Yorker published bombshell exposés on the sexual predations of Harvey Weinstein. What followed broke open the secrecy of sexual harassment and assault that has consumed our community for decades. As each new and courageous voice rose, so did our hope.
The question is now: Where do we go from here?
“The next wave of this is to really understand ... what are the barriers to people being able to access reporting process?" says Michel Decker, director of the women's health and rights program at Johns Hopkins, "How can we support people who want to report this if they so choose?"
Being among the first to speak out against our abusers has been a challenging and life-altering experience. In this past year, we have set up an email account inviting victims to share their stories of abuse, we have developed strong relationships with leading nonprofits that support victims of sexual violence, and formed relationships with female founders of gender-equity-driven companies. We have supported Senators and helped Equal Rights Advocates to pass the strongest slate of bills against sexual harassment and assault in the United States. Most importantly, we have come together as a community of empowered survivors who actively support each other to demand and initiate significant change within our industry.
Our survivor-led organization, Voices in Action , seeks to unite all genders in working together to create a safer, more equitable industry.
Because we are so passionate about protecting artists from sexual violence and the abuse of power, we have invested the initial costs but in order to execute this platform effectively and with the highest security measures we need YOUR help!
We have created an industry-wide, accessible means to online reporting of incidents of sexual abuse and harassment, providing referrals to legal and emotional support. Victims will be alerted if their alleged assailant has been reported by another victim and given the option to connect with fellow victims through a trauma informed attorney providing privilege and confidentiality.
We are calling on those in positions of power to help fund this unprecedented, profoundly necessary platform to help keep the artists in our industry safe. CBS has promised to donate $20 million dollars to #MeToo organizations and we encourage them to stand by their statement and help fund our reporting system. Think of how many victims could have been saved, how many serial predations could have been prevented and how many millions of dollars in legal fees could have been avoided if a matching site had previously existed. Our industry needs this site as a method of prevention and eventually eradication of sexual assault and harassment permeating our working environments.
Now is the time to work together to rebuild our industry to reflect safety, equitability and inclusion! We thank you all in advance for your support!
The question is now: Where do we go from here?
“The next wave of this is to really understand ... what are the barriers to people being able to access reporting process?" says Michel Decker, director of the women's health and rights program at Johns Hopkins, "How can we support people who want to report this if they so choose?"
Being among the first to speak out against our abusers has been a challenging and life-altering experience. In this past year, we have set up an email account inviting victims to share their stories of abuse, we have developed strong relationships with leading nonprofits that support victims of sexual violence, and formed relationships with female founders of gender-equity-driven companies. We have supported Senators and helped Equal Rights Advocates to pass the strongest slate of bills against sexual harassment and assault in the United States. Most importantly, we have come together as a community of empowered survivors who actively support each other to demand and initiate significant change within our industry.
Our survivor-led organization, Voices in Action , seeks to unite all genders in working together to create a safer, more equitable industry.
Because we are so passionate about protecting artists from sexual violence and the abuse of power, we have invested the initial costs but in order to execute this platform effectively and with the highest security measures we need YOUR help!
We have created an industry-wide, accessible means to online reporting of incidents of sexual abuse and harassment, providing referrals to legal and emotional support. Victims will be alerted if their alleged assailant has been reported by another victim and given the option to connect with fellow victims through a trauma informed attorney providing privilege and confidentiality.
We are calling on those in positions of power to help fund this unprecedented, profoundly necessary platform to help keep the artists in our industry safe. CBS has promised to donate $20 million dollars to #MeToo organizations and we encourage them to stand by their statement and help fund our reporting system. Think of how many victims could have been saved, how many serial predations could have been prevented and how many millions of dollars in legal fees could have been avoided if a matching site had previously existed. Our industry needs this site as a method of prevention and eventually eradication of sexual assault and harassment permeating our working environments.
Now is the time to work together to rebuild our industry to reflect safety, equitability and inclusion! We thank you all in advance for your support!
Fundraising team: Voices in Action (2)
Caitlin Dulany
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
Alex Little
Team member