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So What are We Gonna Do?

So What are We Gonna Do?

Violence against women is a men’s issue. And yeah, we know it is not most men who are perpetrators, but too many men turn a blind-eye and say nothing when a sexist joke or comment is made. Too many men react to disclosures of abuse by immediately taking the perpetrator out of the equation, and turn to victim-blaming, slut-shaming, and outright dismissing these reports as lies. As men, we need to learn to love, appreciate, and respect women more than the performance of, and the protection of our masculinity. This issue is far too pervasive for us to think that because it’s “not all men” it is not an issue for many of us, personally. Fellas, the spotlight is on us, so what are we gonna do? I know it’s uncomfortable, but I promise you; if we can sit through this discomfort and ask ourselves some really hard questions about how our action, or inaction, make us complicit in a culture that overwhelmingly allows for violence against women to continue at such alarming rates, we will come out as healthier men for it.

Take a few minutes to read the commentary by Alexandra Petri, and share your reactions. If you would like to have further conversations about changing our culture to end relationship and sexual violence, please contact me at emcgriff@verahouse.org or 315-425-0818, Ext. 2228.

-Eric McGriff, Vera House Educator

A Message to Andrew Cuomo

“The Friends of Andrew Cuomo” spent over $300,000 to launch an ad campaign designed to paint former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo as a victim of political attacks because of the sexual harassment claims against him. We cannot allow this gaslighting to continue while the ad revictimizes victims of not only Cuomo’s sexual harassment but ANYONE who has ever experienced abuse. The tactics used by Cuomo and his supporters further represent the barriers that survivors face every day that prevent them from coming forward and getting support. 

 

We at Vera House have asked Andrew Cuomo to take accountability for the harm he has caused on multiple occasions. Instead of admitting to his wrongdoings, he continues to use power and control to suppress and invalidate the truths of the survivors.  Today we released a video, produced by Solon Quinn Studios and supported by Survivors’ Network, that sends a powerful message to survivors, "I believe you."  

 

We are asking you to help us amplify the video so that survivors throughout New York and the rest of the world know that we believe and stand with them. 

 

Here’s how to get involved:  

1. Share our post on Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter  

2. Engage with our content on Instagram and TikTok   

3. Share survivor support resources from your organization  

4. Tag @verahouseinc  

 

For any questions or to request an interview with a member of Survivors' Network, please contact us at: communications@verahouse.org