A safe space to talk about our experiences with assault and abuse.
The Moth Squad, a local grassroots group dedicated to helping Richmond communities heal from and prevent sexual assault and domestic violence, is hosting a speak-out for survivors to share their stories. Saturday, November 18, 2pm - 3:30pm in the downtown Richmond Public Library, 101 E. Franklin St in the Annex room. The location is wheelchair accessible and childcare will be available. Everyone is invited to come and listen, only survivors will be invited to speak. Our intention is to help break the silence that allows abuse to continue.
Speakouts are a way for folks to share their experiences in a safe and non-judgmental environment. They are also a place to talk about issues which are often kept hidden. The Mothsquad is a group of Richmonders who are working on creating spaces free of sexual assault and domestic violence.
We believe that people need safe spaces to speak about being abused or assaulted openly and without shame in order to understand and address the issue. We believe that keeping intimate forms of violence a hidden social issue insures that they will continue to hurt people.
Statistically speaking, we all know someone who has been assaulted or abused, whether we are aware of it or not.
At the speakout, people will be invited to share their experiences of assault or abuse. As your hosts, the Mothsquad will do our best to provide you with a safe and encouraging environment.
Part of our work is addressing barriers that folks experience in seeking help around these issues. With that in mind, we would like to make it clear that anyone who wants to speak from their own experience of being abused or assaulted is welcome. This event is open to all genders, sexualities, ages, ethnicities, abilities etc...because we are all effected and we all deserve to be respected.
If you would like to share, but are not comfortable speaking, you can bring something written and a mothsquad member will read it aloud.
The room is wheelchair accessible. We will have people on duty ready to provide childcare, if needed, on the library premises. Library policy may prevent us from providing refreshments. For more information please contact: mothsquad (at) riseup.net
Please post this your your myspace/facebook/blog/etc if you want to help spread the word.
Thanks!
Lindsay