At Impact Justice we believe it takes all of us to end sexual abuse, assault, and harassment in our communities. During Sexual Assault Awareness Month and every day, we work to end sexual violence and its harmful impacts, which are felt in every corner of the legal system.
Young sexual abuse survivors disproportionally fill our juvenile justice system. Many adults in confinement have experienced sexual abuse before ever walking into correctional facilities. Additionally, available data indicates that about one out of 10 incarcerated people become victims of sexual abuse at the hands of fellow inmates or correctional staff, who are meant to keep them safe and secure. Once released, survivors come back into our communities without social supports or ways to deal with their trauma.
Preventing, addressing, and responding to sexual violence is critical to our mission of creating a more humane and restorative system of justice.
We know prevention is possible
Changing behaviors and beliefs that perpetuate sexual abuse, assault, and harassment starts with each of us. In all our work, we expect and strive to respect others’ boundaries and body autonomy, and challenge unfair stereotypes that chip away at creating safer communities. We practice and encourage our community partners to intervene when we see or hear injustices, boundary violations, or unhealthy relationships. We build up communities and individuals through respecting and creating space for social and community connectedness.
We believe survivors
Affirming and uplifting the lived experiences of all survivors ends the perpetuation of violence by not allowing it to thrive in our communities in secrecy. We uplift those who are most vulnerable and often most overlooked in our societies. Only when we recognize the experiences of all survivors can sexual abuse come out of the shadows.
We support survivor-centered paths to healing
Healing from sexual violence is possible and we recognize that path looks different for every survivor. We work to ensure every survivor has access to resources—community support, mental and physical health care, accountability, and restorative justice as a means to healing.
Our work centers on our common humanity and passion for change, and with this we believe we can end sexual assault, abuse, and harassment. We know that change is possible. Alongside the entire team at Impact Justice, we ask you to consider ways in your everyday life where you can inspire change in behaviors and beliefs, lift up survivors, and support access to healing.
Photographer: Tim Mossholder
Source: Unsplash
