Today marks the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. When we take time consider and grieve this act of mass violence, I’m struck by how clearly we can draw the connections between violent acts of all types and our mission to prevent sexual violence. We know that violence begets more violence, and all forms of violence are rooted in ideas of power, control, dehumanization, and deep hurt.
Let us remember too that acts of violence are behaviors, and behaviors can change with practice and intention. We can build our skills to understand and intervene, set cultural and social norms, and build healthy safe connections. It’s the hard but wonderful transformative work for healing and growth that survivors do. This is the work our staff, interns, and volunteers do. It’s also the work we’re promoting for regular community members through our Connected Together work.
Let us continue to work together to build the skills needed and create the systems that support a world where sexual violence is eliminated, and all violence is a memory. Thanks for being a part of this work through SARCC!
Resource of the Week: DOJ to Intervene in Lawsuit Against Schuylkill County Official