Walk for Awareness

The good thing about activism is this: you don’t have to have tons of money, be a big star, or know everything about the laws that surround sexual assault in order to have your voice be heard. Think about what Lauren Book-Lim is doing this week. She’s walking 500 miles to help create awareness about sexual assault and sexual abuse. While en route, Lauren will stop at sexual assault centers to highlight their need for funding and support.

Lauren was sexually abused by her nanny, starting when she was ten years old. It was seven years later when she finally told someone. “I always knew I could talk to my dad or mom about anything that happened. But I was stunned, embarrassed, ashamed.”

Lauren now works to prevent abuse through her organization, Lauren’s Kids.

What will your contribution be?

For more about Lauren's walk: Sex Abuse Victim To Walk 500 Miles For Awareness

A great resource for advocating for change in public policy.

http://www.naesv.org/Resources/AdvocacyManual030708.pdf

A Sexual Assault Advocacy Guide by the National Alliance to End Sexul Violence.  Great step by setp emplanation of working on what you can do to help make a difference in your community.

The Index:

Understanding the Legislative Process
• Structure of Government………………………….………………………………………………...…………………………………………………..………6
• How a Bill Becomes Law……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………7
• Appropriations Overview and Key Terms……………………………………..…………………………………………………………………….9
• Appropriations Timeline………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………...10
• How to Track Legislation……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………………………....11
Action Tools
• Meeting with your Legislator…………………………………………………………………….………………………….………..…………..……12
• Talking Points………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..….……….…13
• Writing your Legislator……………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………….………...14
• Calling your Legislator………………..……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..15
• Thanking Your Legislator...…………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………….…….…16
Media Outreach
• Writing a Letter to the Editor……………………………………………………………………………….………………………………...……….17
• Writing a Press Release……………………………………….………………………………………………….…………………………………...……18

You must be the change you want to see in the world."- Gandhi

Advocacy is the act of arguing on behalf of a particular issue, idea or person. Individuals, organizations, businesses, and governments (for example at the level of the United Nations) can engage in advocacy. An example of advocating for a particular issue is attempting to persuade others of the importance of implementing UN Security Council 1325, on gender and peace building.

Advocating for sexual violence and social justice can be done in many ways. For example, someone can engage advocacy, which can include writing letters to the editor, contacting political representatives, organizing community meetings, distributing public education materials, participating in a public protest, or other means to communicate one's views for the purpose of public policy and social change.  You can be a part of a Take Back the Night rally and walk, there are so many opportunities to make a difference and be a beacon of light for positive change. We need people of all ages to step up and help make a difference.  Never think that one person can’t make a difference.  Sometimes what we depend on is, one person at a time.  

The following is one of my favorite stories (author unknown) that never fails to inspire me in sustaining my belief in what we can do to make a difference regardless of how insignificant it may seem to the eyes of others.

While walking along a beach, an elderly gentleman saw someone in the distance leaning down, picking something up and throwing it into the ocean.

As he got closer, he noticed that the figure was that of a young man, picking up starfish one by one and tossing each one gently back into the water.

He came closer still and called out, “Good morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing?”

The young man paused, looked up, and replied “Throwing starfish into the ocean.”

The old man smiled, and said, “I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”

To this, the young man replied, “The sun is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them in, they’ll die.”

Upon hearing this, the elderly observer commented, “But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can’t possibly make a difference!”

The young man listened politely. Then he bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it into the back into the ocean past the breaking waves and said, “It made a difference for that one.”

  - Donna Strickler, Executive Director

Sexual Assault Crisis & Support Center