First Piece on I Am The F-Bomb!

This is my first contributing piece on I Am The F-Bomb, a Birmingham-based feminist blog that features many amazing women writers who I'm honored to be featured with!

My post is called "Rape Culture at UAB." It highlights the shortcomings, myths, and resources surrounding sexual assault on campus, specifically at my alma mater, the University of Alabama at Birmingham. It also features a short documentary by two amazing film students and a lot of facts and links.

Excerpt:

Does UAB have a rape culture problem? In short, yes. I would wager that very campus does. Download the Yik Yak app or go to a frat party and you’ll hear a plethora of rape jokes and misogynistic statements being tossed around nonchalantly, adding to the victim blaming and trivialization of sexual assault and inevitably encourages women to not report their attack.

Rape culture at UAB becomes a huge problem when its own police force perpetuates it. My first encounter with the UAB Police Department was a female officer at an on-campus Take Back The Night event for SURVIVORS to share their stories, jumping up and scolding young women for “walking around alone at night” and “wearing headphones” when walking on campus. Additionally, on the UABPD’s website, there is a page titled, “Date Rape”  with a lot of problematic wording on it that makes my skin crawl.

[...]

Excuse me, but where is the section for men? Did I miss the part where the UABPD told men, “Hey, if you see a girl passed out on the couch, she legally cannot consent to sex!” or “Just because you take a girl out, even if she kisses you, or flirts with you, even if she’s had sex with you or anyone else a billion times before, does not mean that sex with her should be owed or expected.”

I think that campus safety tips are important, but the UABPD does not realize that women have these cautious behaviors engrained in our every move due to a society that not only ignores, but often condones sexual assault. It is more important to provide useful information instead of judgmental wording.

Click here to read more:
http://www.iamthefbomb.com/rape-culture-at-uab/

Lately...

I haven't blogged much this past week, but I've been pretty busy! 

I went to Hunstville to see my boyfriend who's been gone for seven months for some Army training stuff, and I've been so ecstatic to finally see him!

Then, with my lovely ladies at Rape Response and the Crisis Center, we worked with an organization called Force: Upsetting Rape Culture to set up the Monument Quilt in Rushton Park (Highland Ave.). It was a 100x100 ft. collection of quilts, and took most of the day to set up, but it was so cool to see. 

Force is compiled of three lovely ladies who are on a 14-city tour to bring the Monument quilt across the country. I'm so glad that they made a stop in little old Birmingham, but as a city of civil rights and "Fifty Years Forward," it seems appropriate that the city takes a step forward for women's rights to end rape culture. Although that will never happen with our mostly deplorable elected officials (don't even get me started), I'm glad to be a part of organizations who are participating in activism in the community and surrounding universities (i.e. the No More campaign being hosted at the five BACHE schools).

a shot of the whole thing!

Some details about the project.

That's me! Wiping grass off my butt, cool 

All images courtesy of Joe Songer for al.com/The Birmingham News

Then Hunter took me on a fancy date to Avo Dram in Mountain Brook :)

Volunteerin'

If you know me at all, you know that I have a huge passion for social activism, feminism, and most importantly, volunteering.  I volunteer once a week at the Crisis Center of Birmingham.  I am a Volunteer Advocate for their Rape Response program, where a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (S.A.N.E.) and I provide immediate support to victims of sexual assault in Birmingham and nearby areas.  (There's also rape response centers in Huntsville and Tuscaloosa!)

Between college and finding a full-time job in my career field, I was also a part-time shift manager for the Crisis Center's Crisis & Suicide Hotline, where I talked to people on the phone who are in a crisis or are simply feeling down.  Both positions were extremely gratifying and allowed me to find my passion in helping other s.  The Crisis Center has truly changed my life.

I feel like this would be a good opportunity to let my readers know about some volunteer training opportunities coming up this month!  There are lots of options.  You can volunteer with Rape Response like me, or volunteer on one of our crisis lines: Crisis & Suicide Hotline, TeenLink, Kids Helpline, and Senior Talk Line.

Crisis Center
VOLUNTEER TRAINING SCHEDULE
Summer 2014

Saturday, July 19th	9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
All Programs: Crisis Theory and Core Conditions of Counseling
Monday, July 21th	6:00 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Rape Response: Overview of Sexual Assault and Legal Issues
Tuesday, July 22th	6:00 a.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Crisis and Suicide Line: Stages in the Helping Process Kids’ Help Line/Teen Link
Monday, July 28th	6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Rape Response: Medical Issues – SANE Tour
Teusday, July 29th	6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Crisis and Suicide Line: Directive vs. Non-Directive Intervention Kids’ Help Line/Teen Link
Saturday, August 2nd	9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.
Crisis and Suicide Line: Suicide Prevention and Intervention Kids’ Help Line/Teen Link
Monday, August 4th	6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Rape Response: Overview of Sexual Assault and Legal Issues
Tuesday, August 5th	6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.
Crisis and Suicide Line/ Kids’ Help Line/Teen Link: Program Issues

If you would like to volunteer, fill out an application on CrisisCenterBham.com here:http://crisiscenterbham.com/application.php
On the website, you can find more information on their programs as well as training materials, etc.

I believe that everyone should volunteer at some point in their lives; giving back  to your community and connecting with people really shapes you as a person, I think.  You can make a lasting impact on someone's life in their time of need.