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Just a bystander, or do you intervene?
We've all been there. We are eating at a restaurant, talking at a party, spending time with friends, enjoying a family holiday or eating lunch at work. Slowly we begin to feel uncomfortable. We try to act like we didn't hear, we turn slightly away, may laugh or try to change the subject. We have all heard comments that made us uncomfortable, offended us; maybe even comments we knew were simply mean-spirited and wrong. We may have heard threats or harsh words to a child in a store, sexual comments and observations about a woman or a man, racial slurs or homophobic statements. What did we do? Did we speak up? Or did we pretend we didn't hear, turn away and try to change the subject?
PAAR's mission encompasses preventing sexual violence. We all need to be engaged and speak up to help prevent sexual violence. Let's all make a pledge to change. Instead of pretending we didn't hear, offer another perspective or share an experience which contradicts the stereotype being endorsed. Or simply express your discomfort with the comment. Also remember, this doesn't always have to be done in the moment. If you can't engage in the moment, take time later to talk with the individual who made the comment and share your feelings.
Let's stop pretending, stop turning away, stop laughing and stop changing the subject. Let's start being real, start being engaged with others, start talking about sexism, sexual harassment and sexual violence seriously and start talking about how to stop sexual violence and promote safety and respect. Let's all start today. Start thinking about what you'll say the next time you hear a sexist comment or victim blaming statement or comment tolerating sexual harassment or sexual violence.
It may be uncomfortable to start with, but I believe we'll find people agreeing with us. Maybe they didn't know the words to say. Let's start using the words aloud and sharing the words with one another so together we can work to prevent sexual violence in our society. |
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Groups! Groups! Groups! Call now to register
Men's childhood sexual abuse group
We recommend this group for men who feel ready to discuss and explore how abuse has affected their lives. Process therapy will allow you to make connections between your thoughts and your feelings about your abuse. Then you will be able to make choices regarding its impact on your life.
Starts: Monday February 1st, 2010, 4:00-5:30pm
Women's childhood sexual abuse group We recommend this group for women who feel ready to discuss and explore how abuse has affected their lives. Process therapy will allow you to make connections between your thoughts and your feelings about your abuse. Then you will be able to make choices regarding its impact on your life.
Starts: Tuesday February 23rd, 2010 1:00-3:00pm
Women's Art Studio Group Discover your creative self. Join us as we utilize many media to uncover our own healing powers. Moving from surviving to thriving. No fine art skills required. This is a 10 week group.10 slots will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis.
Starts: Wednesday March 17th, 2010, 1:00-3:00pm
Flow Yoga Returns to PAAR
Vinyasa Yoga is also known as Flow Yoga. In Vinyasa we move through a series of breath-connected postures (asanas) that encourage integration of body and mind. When connecting movement with breath we are better able to stop our minds from wandering and focus inward, thus reaping greater benefit from our practice. Class will move through warm-up postures, Sun Salutations, a standing series, a seated series and end with a period of relaxation.
Starts: February 4th,6:30-7:45, 2010 Please call to register, classes are free.
Rape support group
For women who have been raped within the past 2 years. Ongoing group, no registration required.
Starts: Every Tuesday, 6:00-7:30pm
Information and Support Lecture Series
If you or someone you love has been a victim of sexual violence, please consider coming to as many of these lectures as you would like. These lectures are open to the public and are an opportunity to gather information as well as an opportunity to make connections between sexual violence and things that many individuals experience in their healing process.
Starts: Wednesday February 17th, 2010 6:30-8:30pm, runs for 8 weeks of lectures.
Please call PAAR at 412-431-5665 for more information about any of these groups, or to register to be involved.
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PAAR wants you to know about our new project to promote child safety and prevention of child sexual abuse by working with parents. We plan to have parents help shape, design and guide the program. We want parents to tell us what you know and already do to protect your children and what you may need more information or help with.
Over the next two years we will have many opportunities for parents to speak up, share their experiences and provide us with feedback.
· Surveys
· Focus Groups
· Child Safety Programs
We will also provide opportunities for parents to develop new skills to protect kids and end child sexual abuse. Work with us to create safety, love and respect for every child.
Please contact PAAR for immediate program needs and requests for information and services.
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got consent?
PAAR and La Roche unveil 2009-2010 got consent? Ambassadors and new posters for campus education and promotion.
After two fun and exciting photo shoots around campus, the 2009-2010 got consent? posters staring La Roche's own got consent? Ambassadors are ready for distribution and display around campus.
Go to our Facebook page (got consent pittsburgh) and website (www.paar.net) to see the great new posters and find out how to bring this opportunity to your campus.
PAAR and La Roche would like to thank Karen Waggoner for volunteering her time and talent to make the posters a reality and wonderful success.
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