A provocative perspective: R. Clifton Spargo at the End Violence Against Women International Conference.
On April 2nd, Voices and Faces Project Ethics Advisor R. Clifton Spargo – the creator of “The Stories We Tell,” our testimonial writing workshop for survivors of sexual violence, domestic violence and trafficking - spoke at the End Violence Against Women International (EVAW) conference in San Diego, CA. In “How Victim Became a Bad Word, and Why It Matters to the Anti-Violence Movement,” Spargo offered an account of how the reigning jargon about victims came into existence, and explored how mainstream media (TV, film, music and self-help books) have contributed to this trend. Taking the position that though “victim” is an imperfect term, the rejection of the category has had increasingly detrimental consequences for the anti-violence movement, Spargo asks us to “think differently” about our use of language, reclaiming a word that is too often rejected by those of us working in the anti-rape movement. Thanks, Clifton, for always being willing to challenge the status quo!

Faith in Change: The Voices and Faces Project and the Faith Trust Institute collaborate on a national webinar.
On April 2nd, theologians Kristen Leslie and Traci West, Faith Trust Institute Founder Marie Fortune, and Voices and Faces Project founder Anne K. Ream joined a distinguished panel of activists, theologians, and ethicists to discuss the state of our common work to address and prevent sexual violence. What do today's cultural norms and expectations tell us about the progress we've made? How does the media shape our attitudes about violence against women? How can the voices and faces of survivors alter the conversation? What developments are emerging in faith communities? Read more about the discussion.

Words = Change: CAASE, the Neighborhood Writing Alliance and The Voices and Faces Project collaborate on a powerful Chicago Cultural Center event.
On April 12th The Voices and Faces Project and the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation joined forces to introduce issues of sexual exploitation and trafficking to writers in the Chicago land area. Hosted by the Neighborhood Writing Alliance with support from Chicago Publishes, the event was covered by WBEZ and CanTV. "Testimony is at the heart of every social justice movement, and language can be a powerful force for change,” said event speaker Anne K. Ream, founder of The Voices and Faces Project. “It’s important to give tangible action steps that people can take to end sexual exploitation, and our writers’ toolkit can help to make that possible,” said CAASE Executive Director Rachel Durchslag, who also spoke at the event. To explore how you can write about sexual exploitation and harm, download your free writers’ toolkit.

The Voices and Faces Project takes to the road during Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
This month, members of The Voices and Faces Project spoke in 8 cities across the US, sharing their stories in order to create change. Highlights included Christa Desir reading from her forthcoming novel, TRAINWRECK at RVA's "Enemies of Silence" event in Chicago, IL; Missy Carson giving a keynote address at the Norfolk Women’s Center in Norfolk, Virgina; the Angel Band Project Team leading the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault’s “Wrap Around the Capitol” event; Anne Ream speaking on "Careers in the Arts and Healing," at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio; and Sarah Sullivan’s moving contribution to a panel discussion on spirituality and sexual violence at the University of Illinois, Circle Campus.
To find out more about our available Voices and Faces Project lectures and presentations, or to arrange for a speaker for your next event, email us.

Mark your calendars for these Voices and Faces Project events coming in May.
May 10: Unsilencing Public Policy at the School of Education and Social Policy at Northwestern University
May 23: Media Matters at the New York State Association for the Treatment of Sex Abusers Conference
May 24: Anne K. Ream and Galya Ruffer on WBEZ/Chicago Public Radio’s Worldview
May 24: The Importance of Bearing Witness at the Center for Forced Migration at the Buffett Center for International and Comparative Studies