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Stories of Harassment and Sexual Violence Go Live On Web

A social media campaign to raise awareness about rape culture in New Zealand has led to the creation of I AM SOMEONE, a website for people’s experiences of harassment or abuse. It was the victim blaming in some of the coverage of the ‘roastbusters’ rape allegations that spurred the social media campaign, set to happen this Friday, where people will take to twitter, Facebook and blogs to share their stories.

The aim of I AM SOMEONE is to raise awareness of how wide-spread harassment, objectification and sexual violence are and to give voice to the people who’ve had these experiences.

Organiser Meg Bates says when she spoke with friends about the recent rape allegations several of them had ‘near miss’ stories or spoke of others they knew who had been affected by sexual violence. “I wanted people to understand it’s not about what we wear or if we’re drunk. It’s about a culture that says it’s ok to objectify people sexually and not take consent seriously. We need to change that culture.”

As people joined I AM SOMEONE the demand for a more permanent record of their stories became apparent and here Jasmine Gray stepped up to help. “This is a topic I care very deeply about. My own story is on the website and I wanted to make sure other survivors have a space to share if they feel able. We are strong and together we can change victim blaming rape-culture.”

For further information the facebook event can be found here https://www.facebook.com/events/1422866911263436/1423480917868702/?notif_t=like

And the website is www.IamSomeonenz.wordpress.com

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