TIME'S UP

Hello RebelRoses,

Today we have an important initiative to talk about with you all-”Time’s Up”. This is a new initiative started by hundreds of women coming together from the entertainment to be there for women from all walks of life in order to raise awareness about an issue that has been affecting people women (and men) for as long as we can remember-sexual assault.

In 2017 we saw the floodgates open when brave women came forward to talk about their assault stories regarding Harvey Weinstein-at the time one of Hollywood’s most powerful men. What followed was the start of a revolution. Women and men from all walks of life began stepping forward with their own stories and we saw a movement both born anew and furthered like we’ve never seen before. The #MeToo movement.

This phrase was started by activist Tarana Burke, and became a movement when actress Alyssa Milano tweeted it out and asked people to share & retweet in support (with their own stories if they could). The movement landed both on the cover of TIME along with very brave women and men who had come forward as the silence breakers were named TIME’s person of the year.

Society is undergoing a change, we are seeing more people come forward with their own cases, perpetrators being held accountable, and so much more. With all the progress we’ve made this past year, there is so much more to be done. This is where Time’s Up comes in. https://www.timesupnow.com/#into-anchor

This organization will be, in partnership with various other non-profits, working with sexual assault victims to help them in their fight for justice, and to raise awareness about this serious issue.

You may be asking at this point why we’re doing a blog post on this? It is because at one point or another we have experienced sexual harassment to an extent. An initiative like this is so important and it is something we can all be a part of in so many ways! We can donate to their legal defense fund, we can apply their education material in our own schools and various clubs, and more.

Time’s Up is not the only organization, here are some Canadian organizations you can give time, money, whatever to and use them to educate yourself and your friends.

Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime-https://crcvc.ca/links/

Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres-http://www.casac.ca/?q=en/home

Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund-http://www.leaf.ca/

White Ribbon Campaign-https://www.whiteribbon.ca/

Ending Violence Association of Canada-http://endingviolencecanada.org/getting-help/

Antigonish Women’s Resource Centre & Sexual Assault Services Association-http://awrcsasa.ca/community-development-social-advocacy/responding-preventing-sexual-violence-paqtnkek-project/paqtnkek-project-resources/

South Asian Women’s Centre-http://www.sawc.org/about-us/

These are just some of many organizations dealing with assault and other instances of violence against women and men. If you are in an emergency please call 911 right away and if you are having suicidal or other harmful thoughts please call or visit your local crisis centre. We have a list here: https://suicideprevention.ca/need-help/

We will be doing an in-depth posting regarding sexual assault at a later date. For now start your 2018 by giving to one of the great non-profits mentioned above or to one of your choice. If you, a family member, or friend needs help please call 911, talk to someone you trust, or message us and we can provide you with resources.

Until next time RebelRoses! May your year be filled with love, light, and laughter. Keep up with us in the meantime on Facebook and Instagram (more social media to follow soon). We love you all.

Signed,

The RebelRoses