With the Supreme Court ruling in favor of marriage equality and Caitlyn Jenner’s iconic Vanity Fair cover, issues faced by the LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community dominated headlines this summer. As we celebrate these victories and the headlines fade, activists continue to rightfully point out the work that remains. We know that […]
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Sex isn’t against the law. Rape is
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusIn documents that were made public yesterday, we learned that in a sworn deposition, Bill Cosby admitted he planned to give prescription Quaaludes to women he wanted to have “sex” with. Rape sounds so harsh, doesn’t it? Even the term sexual assault can seem a bit severe. As a result, several media outlets regularly sanitize sexual […]
Maine elders are victims of abuse, too. Here are 5 ways you can help
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusIt’s hard to miss headlines about Maine’s aging population and what it means for the future of our state. What we don’t hear about as often is the domestic and sexual violence that many of Maine’s older residents experience. The research is difficult to come by because, whereas elder abuse is already significantly underreported, domestic […]
After Josh Duggar revelations, 19 facts about child sexual abuse
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusNews reports, blog posts, TV interviews, social media posts and more have covered recent reports of Josh Duggar, oldest of the Duggars to appear in their reality TV show “19 Kids and Counting,” admitting that as a juvenile he repeatedly sexually abused his sisters. When high profile cases like these surface and more people become […]
‘But what if they’re lying?’ How Maine serves rape victims in jail
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine Focus“But what if they’re lying? Aren’t you ever worried about that? What if they’re just trying to get attention?” As Maine’s sexual assault support centers are increasingly serving incarcerated survivors in the state’s correctional facilities, several people have asked me these questions. By and large, however, I know that incarcerated survivors are telling the truth. […]
5 ways to protect children and teens from sexual abuse
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusIn the wake of a recent suicide of a local teacher following an investigation of sexual exploitation of a minor (as reported by the BDN), the community of Bangor is reeling. As details unfold, parents and concerned adults have many questions about how to keep the children and teens in their lives safe from harm. […]
3 big ways technology can help prevent domestic and sexual violence
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusWe live in a world that is increasingly driven by technology. Our lives are more connected than ever through the web, and we rely on devices and apps to communicate and conduct our daily business. For many of us, this near-constant interconnectedness is the new normal. Unfortunately, for survivors of domestic and sexual violence this […]
What we can do about teen dating violence
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusHooking up. Hanging out. Facebook official. Regardless of what teens call their romantic and/or sexual relationships, teens deserve to be happy, healthy and safe. Teen dating violence is a significant problem in Maine communities, and everyone has a role to play in its prevention and intervention. Approximately 9 percent of high school students have been […]
On Rolling Stone’s retraction of gang rape story: The devil has enough advocates
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusRecently a story about a University of Virginia student named Jackie and the brutal gang rape she suffered was published in Rolling Stone Magazine. Today, Rolling Stone issued a statement saying it was sorry that it mislead readers and that “there now appear to be discrepancies in Jackie’s account, and we have come to the conclusion […]
The response to sexting: It’s easier than you think
Domestic and Sexual Violence Maine FocusEvery now and then, a piece about sexting is shared across my social media feeds. Questions abound: “Agh! Why do teens sext?! Don’t they know better?!” and “Why do girls think it’s okay to send these photos?!” Then of course: “Pictures last forever on the internet! Once you send something, it’s out there!” The young […]