Mary and the team at CIT S.H.A.G week.
Thanks to all who stopped by.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Investigation Unit.
Harcourt Square Garda Station,
visit to the Sexual Violence Centre on 27/10/2011

Mary visited youthreach Ballincollig last week. Thanks to all involved.

Mary and the team visited UCC this week to raise awareness and provide information on the Centre.
Thanks to all who stopped by.

Run, walk or crawl with us.

It is easy, ring us at 1800 496 496 to register and to collect a t-shirt or donate through mycharity.ie
We would love if you joined us this year. We appreciate the continued support and
hope to hear from you soon.

The girls visited the Centre today. Thanks for listening and chatting with us.

‘Slut Walks’ started in Toronto and events are being organised for destinations across the States, the UK and Europe. The information below is a little about the campaign, check the website for more details. An article appeared in the Examiner on May 9 discussing the issue. See link to article below.

Article in Examiner on May 9 2011

The protest movement, sparked by a Toronto police officer’s remark that women could avoid being raped by not dressing like “sluts”, came to Boston after advocates saw similar events — largely organised through Facebook and Twitter — pop up in Canada, England and other parts of the US. To read article in full please click here.

On January 24th, 2011, a representative of the Toronto Police gave shocking insight into the Force’s view of sexual assault by stating: “women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized”.

As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.

Historically, the term ‘slut’ has carried a predominantly negative connotation. Aimed at those who are sexually promiscuous, be it for work or pleasure, it has primarily been women who have suffered under the burden of this label. And whether dished out as a serious indictment of one’s character or merely as a flippant insult, the intent behind the word is always to wound, so we’re taking it back. “Slut” is being re-appropriated.

Posters the campaign use.

Mary Crilly and the team from the Sexual Violence Centre visiting St. John’s College Cork.
The team were also able to continue with their data collection for the Sexual Violence Attitudes Questionnaire .

International Women’s Day 2011

International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past,present and future. The first IWD event was run in 1911 so 2011 sees the Global Centenary.
This year the Sexual Violence Centre invited women of all ages to take part in our open day on Saturday 5 March to celebrate International Women’s Day. Part of the festivities of the day included taking photographs for the commemorative poster:100 years of International Women’s Day. Thank you to all involved and to everyone who came along. It was a great day and we are looking forward to the final edition of the poster.

As awareness of the harm caused by sex trafficking and exploitation in the sex industry grows, men in favour of reform of Ireland’s outdated prostitution laws speak in support of the “Turn Off the Red Light: End Prostitution in Ireland”

Invitation to this unique event on Wednesday February 2, 2011 in Buswells hotel, where Fergus Finlay (Barnardos), John Cunningham (Immigrant Council of Ireland), Diarmaid O Corrbui (Ruhama), David Begg (ICTU), Eamon Devoy (TEEU), Peter Sheridan and Christy Moore call for action to prevent the sexual exploitation of women and children in Ireland through dissuasive measures against those who buy sex.

10am on Wednesday February 2, 2011 in Buswells hotel.

RSVP to Nusha Yonkova - nusha@immigrantcouncil.ie or 01 6740202