NSVRC Blogs

We’ve talked a lot about the link between the opioid epidemic and sexual abuse, assault, and harassment. In a series of blog posts, NSVRC explored the need for rape crisis centers to be part of a community response to opioid overdoses, how the prevention of opioid addiction and sexual violence are connected, and how race impacts the opioid epidemic. It felt important to also look at the existing research and explore the correlation between opioids and sexual violence. As you can see in our annotated bibliography, there is still very little research being done on the connections between

By Diana Mancera, Director of Membership and Programs at Jane Doe, Inc. Coming into the anti-violence field I was taught that sexual and domestic violence know no class, race, or education level. Yes, that’s true. But the systems and services set up for survivors do know class and race. Within the context of the #MeToo movement, we have learned that we won’t end gender-based violence or violence against women if we continue to ignore racism and oppressive practices. To root out gender-based violence, we need A MOVEMENT WITHIN A MOVEMENT. We need a movement against racism, biases, homophobia

Conversion therapy awareness is having a moment in pop culture; 2018 saw the release of two mainstream movies addressing the topic in The Miseducation of Cameron Post and Boy Erased, as well as the podcast UnErased: The History of Conversion Therapy in America. Advocates in the anti-sexual violence movement should take notice of this increased visibility, and consider the ways conversion therapy overlaps and intersects with issues of sexual violence.  For those not familiar with conversion therapy, it is an effort to change someone’s sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender

Learn how a Communications team at a national nonprofit operates by interning at the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). The Communications team focuses on external communications for NSVRC including; email and social media marketing, online and physical content creation (including publications, blogs, resources, share graphics, infographics, etc.), and general messaging around sexual assault, harassment, and abuse. The Communications intern’s main role will be to assist with day-to-day content review and creation. The intern will also play a key role in the development of the

“With better information about sexual violence comes the opportunity to know which programs, policies, and practices have the most impact on prevention efforts; knowledge that brings us closer to our common goal of a future built on safety and respect.” Karen Baker, Managing Partner RALIANCE Threats of sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and sexual assault influence the daily choices of people around the world. Understanding the impact of these threats is important to the wellbeing of any company, and critical for any company that wants to develop an effective response. Accurately

Welcome to the first post in our Putting it into Practice: Diversity and Inclusion in Prevention blog series. The goal of this series is to highlight the work that folks are doing in to prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their prevention efforts. Our first blog was written by Mo Lewis, NSVRC’s Prevention Specialist.  I’ve facilitated a lot of trainings over the years, and when I say (as I do in every training) that sexual violence is inextricably linked to oppression – and that we won’t ever end sexual violence without ending all forms of oppression – I sometimes see a raised hand.

By Mira Yusef and Damary Rodriguez Did you know that May is Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month? I have to admit, I only learned this about two years ago. Since then, my colleagues and I have had some debates about whether we should continue to create content for heritage months (like Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month) or whether we should be posting all year round. On the one hand, we want to show-up for our fellow women of color, but on the other hand, we don’t want to just talk about these issues only during a part of the year. Not only that, but how do we talk about the

Mother’s Day is a holiday I’ve celebrated as long as I can remember – picking flowers from the backyard, making hand-drawn cards and construction paper hearts. This year, the day has a new significance for me, as I am forming a new identity as a mother pregnant with my first child who will be born in a few short weeks. This day has never felt as complicated as it does for me this year, and as I anticipate one of the greatest joys of my life, it brings a new appreciation and awareness for the untidy layers of emotion any experience brings. This Mother’s Day, I am reminded of all of the ways

USA Gymnastics alum Rachel Haines did not know that she was a victim (and now survivor) of Larry Nassar until other survivors went public with their descriptions of his abuse. Because of this, she preaches the importance of sharing and uplifting survivor stories because “it’s the stories that serve as lessons for other women.” In other words, by hearing what is considered unacceptable and what is abuse, we can all identify problematic situations where sexual abuse is occurring but doesn’t necessarily fit popular culture's narratives of what it looks like or what type of person

When someone commits sexual abuse over a long period of time, our first instinct may be to question how they were able to keep their crimes hidden. For many of us, it can be difficult to comprehend how red flags could go unnoticed, be explained away, or even be ignored. This can be especially true if there are multiple victims or witnesses and when the abuse takes place over years. Still, this pattern is not uncommon — it’s time to ask ourselves what we are missing.  Perhaps there is no greater example of this than USA Gymnastics national team doctor Larry Nassar, who was found guilty of