NSVRC Blogs

When we talk about creating online spaces that are safe from abuse and respectful for everyone, that must mean a space where rape jokes are not tolerated. Rape jokes are always harmful — including in online spaces. When unchecked, rape jokes send a negative message that the trauma of sexual assault is not taken seriously — and that it’s okay to use that trauma to be deliberately offensive or shocking for attention on the internet.  Sexist jokes, rape jokes, and victim-blaming comments may not seem like that big of a deal because they are verbal and not physical, but they contribute to

The verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial is a long-awaited symbolic outcome, yet we still have a long way to go to end the police violence and systemic racism faced every day by Black and Brown people throughout this country. The trial made clear, once again, how far and wide and deep the trauma of racial injustice is in our communities. Accountability for one individual officer does not take down an unjust system of policing built on racial bias evident throughout the criminal legal system. Police violence is an ever-present threat to the dignity and safety of Black people, and it’s one of

In our nation exists a ubiquitous amount of inequity. We see it evidenced in our history, yet it’s also very much a part of our present. Although we work in sexual violence, at its heart, this work is about inclusion — about the dream of a just society where everyone can be free from harm, violence, and trauma. The overwhelming number of police-perpetrated murders upon people of color destroys that dream. It destroys the lives of its victims, their families, their communities, and the principals for which our belief of an equitable society stands on. We understand and believe fully that

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Honorees include lawmakers, advocates, activists, forensic nurses, local organizations, and more  HARRISBURG, PA – The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) announced today 31 recipients of its 2021 Visionary Voice Awards — a diverse group of honorees from across the country who represent a wide range of disciplines and were selected for their outstanding work toward ending sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse.   This year’s recipients include New Hampshire State Senator Jeb Bradley, who was instrumental in advancing several

PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Supporters are invited to participate on social media and share a photo wearing teal on the April 6th Day of Action  Harrisburg, PA –The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) commemorates the start of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in April with their ‘We Can Build Safe Online Spaces’ campaign to highlight how to practice consent online and build respectful online communities. The internet has become the new public square where we connect with romantic partners, friends, family, co-workers and even strangers, and this year's campaign

What does preventing sexual violence look like in a pandemic? And how have people been adapting their work in light of the health inequities being revealed by COVID-19? These are the big questions we brought to the seven-episode COVID-19 and Health Equity series of NSVRC’s podcast Resource on the Go. The series consists of five interviews with people doing great prevention work in the pandemic. The interviewees recognize that the pandemic didn’t create health inequities but rather magnified them, and they’ve focused their work on the root causes of these inequities. They shared great insight

Nearly one in three women (30%) globally experience violence, according to a new report from the World Health Organization (WHO). In this report, WHO provides global, regional, and national prevalence estimates for intimate partner violence as well as global and regional prevalence estimates for non-partner sexual violence against women. This is the first report of internationally comparable estimates for violence against women. The report analyzes prevalence data on violence against women aged 15 and up from surveys and studies conducted between 2000 and2018, drawing from 161 countries and

Throughout history, generations of girls and women have successfully challenged our culture, stereotypes, and conventional thinking to create a stronger, safer environment for generations to come. Although much work is still to be done, it is with honor that I feel free to write a blog about and share books in celebration of Women’s History Month. Working remotely has lent an opportunity for me to receive many fabulous books added to our collection. I have had the privilege of reviewing some really wonderful pieces highlighting women of color. I want to encourage everyone to search the

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM). The themes for 2021 include love is respect’s “Know Your Worth” campaign, and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence’s (NRCDV) campaign “#1Thing.” Everyone is deserving of a healthy relationship, the Know Your Worth campaign is about learning about healthy relationships and self-empowerment. The #1Thing campaign is designed to meet people where they are by encouraging them to do one thing towards ending domestic violence. Collectively, #1Things can lead to social transformation. Teen dating violence includes

Many survivors of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment have needs related to housing. “Home” may not be a safe place for some survivors if the person who abused them is a household member, landlord, neighbor, or knows where they live. Others may need to find new housing to help heal from their experiences. Additionally, many people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity are at greater risk for experiencing sexual violence.  It is important that those providing sexual assault-related services and those providing housing services understand these connections and ensure that