Australia, Melbourne, Anarchist Affinity group - Anarchist Discussion Group: Confronting sexual violence on the left (pt)

Join Anarchist Affinity at 7:00pm on Wednesday 28 May at the New International Bookshop 
for a discussion about how we can confront sexual violence in left-wing groups, social 
movements and our day-to-day lives in a way which empowers sexual violence survivors and 
attempts to avoid common forms of victim blaming and silencing. ---- We need to make a 
political choice to believe survivors of violence. ---- Gendered violence is a key way in 
which women's oppression is maintained in our patriarchal society. In Australia, 1 in 5 
women and 1 in 20 men over the age of 15 have experienced sexual violence since the age of 
15 years. Violence perpetrated by men is the leading cause of preventable death, 
disability and illness in women aged 15-44. Aboriginal women, poor women, women of 
differing abilities, and sex and gender diverse people are significantly more likely to 
experience sexual violence.

All too often, survivors of sexual violence are greeted with disbelief, anger, and 
defensiveness when they should be believed and supported. This happens in left-wing 
groups, our social movements, our friendship circles, our workplaces, and countless other 
places in society. While most left-wing groups and movements share a stated opposition to 
sexism, this does not make them immune to the misogynist assumptions which underlie victim 
blaming and which often come up when people are confronted by sexual violence committed by 
their friends or political comrades.

Join Anarchist Affinity for a discussion about how we can confront sexual violence in 
left-wing groups, social movements and our day-to-day lives in a way which empowers sexual 
violence survivors and attempts to avoid common forms of victim blaming and silencing.

The discussion will be facilitated (with a progressive speaking list) and will start with 
a brief talk by Rebecca Winter, who recently wrote an article on this topic:
Silent No Longer: Confronting Sexual Violence in the Left

Content warning: this discussion will focus on sexual violence, other forms of gendered 
violence, victim blaming and misogyny. These topics are incredibly personal and painful 
for many survivors and others. Please make a special effort to think carefully about the 
way you engage with this topic and consider the impact of your words on others.

Other suggested readings:

BCC: Misogyny and the left - we need to start practicing what we preach

SWP Rape Allegations and Lessons for the Left

Betrayal - a critical analysis of rape culture in anarchist subcultures