Speak Up

The YWCA’s annual Week Without Violence™ is this week October 14 – 20

The topic being discussed among the YWCA organizations are: 

Women and girls can face interlocking barriers, such as sexism and racism, which play integral roles in our understanding and awareness of how and why violence is propagated. The question for many on the frontlines becomes: how can we more effectively encourage our communities to help put an end to all forms of violence, while considering the influence of systems like racism and sexism? What will it take to end violence against women and girls?

Two other questions being posed in this national discussion are: What are the biggest challenges? What still needs to be done? 

As much as we would like it to be, the answer just isn't simple.  It is multi-layered and complicated.  It takes many people to be involved, not just the victims and the perpetrators. It takes a change in policies, ideas, and attitudes.  It takes improvements in our education and economic systems.

It takes change and effort on everyone's behalf:  Be the volunteer, write the check, send that email to the legislators, refuse to buy the violent game/movie/music, refuse to use or accept unkind words, speak up.

Actually that. Maybe the answer is simply that: SPEAK UP.  
No matter the forum or the method: Speak up. Violence hides and if we all speak up, it leaves violence no where to hide.