For many survivors of sexual and domestic violence, regardless of their political affiliation, the words and behaviors of public figures and national leaders over the past several months has been triggering and retraumatizing, mirroring experiences that many survivors themselves have had.
We do not want to further traumatize survivors by repeating what has been said and done. When our leaders, the media, and the public minimize these behaviors and the impact they have on survivors as just “locker room talk” or “boys will be boys,” when survivors are not believed, and when individuals in positions of power are not held accountable for their actions, it sends the message to survivors that they do not matter.
We want all survivors to know: YOU DO MATTER. We will continue to support you and stand beside you to demand accountability for offenders and work to prevent this violence before it begins. We recognize the profound impact that these experiences have had on you and we celebrate your strength in reclaiming your life.
We also know that people of color, indigenous people, people who are immigrants, people who identify as LGBTQ, and people with disabilities are targeted and experience sexual and domestic violence at much higher rates. We recognize that we cannot prevent sexual and domestic violence without addressing other forms of oppression that value some lives above others. We commit to working with these communities to create change within our society and institutions to specifically identify and address these problems.
We call on our partners and all members of our communities to show survivors that you believe and support them. We call on you to speak out when you hear others make jokes and comments that dehumanize others and normalize rape and domestic violence. We call on you to demand accountability for those who commit sexual and domestic violence.
Thank you for standing with us as we put all survivors at the center of our work to create a Colorado where sexual and domestic violence are no longer tolerated.