Via CNN, a FL case that is eerily reminiscent of a WI case from over two decades ago (around the time that I first joined MSR). It’s cases like these that serve as stark reminders that when we say “sexual assault” we’re not just talking about sex, and we’re not always talking about female victims.
It’s also very instructive that the victim in this case did not come forward to report. Turns out there are reasons why someone who has been assaulted might not necessarily want to shout it from the highest hill. Perhaps male on male assault can teach us something about male on female perpetration…
Interesting article via CNN.com regarding a study on previous abuse experience being a factor in girls receiving unwanted sexual attention online.
A good study that I support being done, though I worry that there is a risk here; though the article does note:
One significant factor that helped decrease the risk to girls was the presence and influence of caregivers, the authors found.
It also falls back on one of the typical statements about female behavior:
That risk is tied not just to an avatar, but to the overall image a girl projects online, they say. On sites that don’t use avatars, such as MySpace or Facebook, simply compiling suggestive photographs or narrative descriptions can increase girls’ vulnerability, they say.
… without examining or commenting on the behavior of males online – ie: that females open themselves up to this type of attention, but that the attention itself is expected and “normal” apparently.
According to the Associated Press (via Google news), the South Carolina legislature – well, the House at least – voted to pass a bill that promotes violence prevention in the schools while simultaneously barring the mention of gay and lesbian relationships.
Apparently, proponents of the bill are following the same logic of the anti-gay-marriage movement: not only is marriage between one man and one woman, but “traditional domestic violence” occurs between men and woman only.Â
Interesting piece by Channel 2 KPRC in Houston, TX about victims of sexual assault who are being denied payment of medical costs associated with collecting evidence, even though there’s a state crime victims fund set up for just that purpose, that appears to have plenty of cash in it… Text story, and link to video segment linked below:
06/02/’09–Addendum: thanks to MHeald who posted the comment below about a clarification written by the director of TAASA (Texas Association Against Sexual Assault), which is worth a read:
I haven’t yet read the report in full, but I believe it demonstrates what those of us who work in the violence prevention movement know: that beyond the immediate impact of intimate partner violence there is costly long-term fallout and health implications. My thanks to the folks at AVA for this important work.
Forwarding this on with permission – Tim Strait of Sonas Behavioral Health LLC, which is based on the West side of Madison, is conducting a research study for male survivors:
New research study for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Study
approved by university review board to guard your confidentiality, safety
and dignity. Male researcher will be asking you questions about work,
co-workers, job changes, and so on. Researcher is licensed mental health
professional.Â
Please respond in complete confidence via this ad.
If you know of interested parties, please have them contact Tim at straittb@charter.net.
The first Men Stopping Rape podcast is now available for viewing; an audio-only version will be available soon; I am also working on setting up an RSS feed to make this and future podcasts available via the iTunes Store (for free of course).
This first episode is a brief overview of what I have in mind for future podcast topics and a bit of “men doing anti-violence work 101”, serving as an introduction to our organization and the basic philosophy behind our approach to men being involved in the eradication of violence.
Please feel free to leave a comment, or send feedback (response, rebuttal, questions, topic requests) via email [see above, right].