April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

NESTLING

Small bird heart races as you

Chip away towards the light.

No one can help you be born—

Too soon and you will not survive.

It will take its right time.

When you emerge,

You find your flock awaiting—

Arms, like tree branches,

That were there always—

Strong, enfolding, protecting,

To support you

And a downy nest to call home.

                                    ~TG 2015

***

I created the nest lino-block print design and “Nestling” poem specifically for the victims of rape and sexual assault: for the women, men, and children who experience these acts of violence.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is estimated 1 in 4 or 5 women and about 1 in 6 or 7 men experience sexual assault or sexual violence of some type in their lifetime. For more information visit the National Sexual Violence Resource Center site.

What is the remedy? Dr. Jackson Katz teaches “bystander intervention,” which is about changing the culture in which gender violence occurs.

Speak up and intervene when you see others exhibiting gender-biased language, and sexually aggressive and inappropriate behavior.

Tags: bystander intervention, Dr. Jackson Katz, gender violence, Jackson Katz, nest, nestling, NSVRC, Poetry, rape, sexual assault