This month Rutherford College is supporting Red My Lips. Come to the library and have a look at our display to learn more.

Red My Lips is an international nonprofit organisation designed to raise visibility and awareness about the realities and prevalence of sexual violence, while combating rape myths and victim-blaming. We run an annual global awareness and action campaign where our fierce and fearless supporters rock red lipstick all throughout the month of April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) to demonstrate solidarity and support for survivors and start important conversations with people in their lives.

Red my lips run a month-long global lipstick-wearing campaign every April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) where supporters from around the world join together to speak out against rape myths and victim-blaming, demonstrate solidarity and support for ALL survivors, and raise awareness and funds

We continue to convince ourselves that rape only happens to “those girls” who “weren’t careful,” “gave mixed signals,” or “put themselves in a bad situation.” And we elect to believe that men and boys are rarely, if ever, victimized. This tendency to blame, shame, and silence survivors who come forward only serves to convince others that they are wise to keep quiet, giving those who perpetrate these crimes free reign to continue doing so without consequence. Additionally, we frequently misunderstand rape and sexual assault as something provoked by uncontrollable sexual attraction or desire, instead of what it is: an act of domination, entitlement, and violence. This mentality was echoed in the infamous statement made by a Toronto police officer in 2011, when he said, “Women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimized,” which triggered worldwide protests known as ‘Slutwalks.’

Red My Lips combines a core message of Slutwalk with the campaign format of Movember to promote the idea that sexual violence is not caused by tight or revealing clothes, makeup, or “letting your guard down.” It is caused by one person’s DECISION to overpower and violate the body and spirit of another. And until we acknowledge and address this reality, the worldwide pandemic of sexual violence will continue.

Wearing red lipstick in April allows supporters to speak out against these damaging myths and victim-blaming attitudes. It allows us all to stand in solidarity with survivors and refuse to be invisible…refuse to be silent.
http://www.redmylips.org/