** Content Warning : Sexual Assault ** 
THIS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH, POWER OUR FIGHT TO #PROTECTBLACKSURVIVORS! Hi, friend, Black women remain the least protected and most vulnerable to both sexual violence and the harmful narratives associated with it. Because of race-based sexual stereotypes (e.g., Jezebel), Black women’s bodies are hypersexualized and objectified, especially in mainstream media.1 Because of the “Strong Black Woman” trope, Black survivors are expected to carry the heavy burden of sexual trauma without an ounce of care or mental health resources.2 And because of systemic misogyny, Black women who seek help for intimate partner violence are often criminalized and handcuffed right alongside the person who harmed them.3 Black women and Black survivors deserve better. That’s why Color Of Change is fighting to #ProtectBlackSurvivors and realize a world where Black women, femmes, and girls are free from sexual violence. As we approach the end of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, an annual April campaign to raise awareness about gender-based violence, our hope is that more folks will join us in moving forward this powerful work! BECOME A SUPPORTER OF OUR EFFORTS TO PROTECT BLACK WOMEN, FEMMES AND GIRLS! When we say protect Black women, we mean it. Here’s a brief snapshot of our #ProtectBlackSurvivors initiatives and campaigns :
- Combating Harmful Media Narratives : We are holding media publications accountable for unbiased, race-conscious, and nuanced reporting on sexual violence (free from anti-Black stereotypes and victim-blaming narratives). Our #ProtectBlackSurvivors Media Style Guide provides a basic editorial framework for doing so, and we plan to host narrative trainings for journalists in the coming months.
- Building Sisterhood with Black Survivors : We are cultivating intimate and intentional spaces for Black women and femme survivors of sexual trauma. In February, we offered 30 fully covered scholarships to our Empowered Action Series, which focused on moving from healing to activism through reflection, narrative writing, and organizing to support our #ProtectBlackSurvivors media campaign and Open Letter.
- Deplatforming Abusers : We are putting pressure on corporate enablers to deplatform those who have harmed Black women. In April 2021, we pressured VH1 to suspend production for T.I. & Tiny : Friends & Family Hustle after more than 30 Black women came forward with stories of abuse.4 A month later, we pressured Spotify to remove the ExpediTIously with Tip "T.I." Harris podcast from its platform entirely. We wanted to not only disempower these abusers financially but also protect Black survivors from harassment and retaliation.
Dear friend, so much is at stake with our #ProtectBlackSurvivors work. This Sexual Assault Awareness Month, will you give the gift of solidarity and make your commitment to Black survivors tangible? Black women, Black girls, and Black femmes are depending on us. YES, I WILL SHOW SOLIDARITY THIS SAAM! Until justice is real, The Color Of Change Team.
References : - “The Jezebel Stereotype,” Ferris State University, (n.d.), https://act.colorofchange.org/go/353152?t=11&akid=53269%2E1942551%2Efb-Fjd.
- Ruth Etiesit Samuel, “The ‘Strong Black Woman’ stereotype is dangerous,” Teen Vogue, June 19, 2020, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/353153?t=13&akid=53269%2E1942551%2Efb-Fjd.
- Michelle Jacobs, “The violent state : Black women’s invisible struggle against police violence,” University of Florida Levin College of Law, vol. 24, no. 39, Fall 2017 : pp. 41-43. https://act.colorofchange.org/go/353154?t=15&akid=53269%2E1942551%2Efb-Fjd.
- Nellie Andreeva, "'T.I. & Tiny : Friends & Family Hustle' suspends production amid sexual abuse allegations against stars," Deadline, February 5, 2021, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/353317?t=17&akid=53269%2E1942551%2Efb-Fjd.
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