New program to prevent sexual violence in Williamsburg

Sexual violence exists everywhere. On November 24 a rape occurred in Williamsburg - we know this community is not immune. According to the Center for Disease Control, 1 in 4 women will be the victim of rape or attempted rape in her lifetime and nearly 80% of incidents of sexual violence are perpetrated by someone known to the victim. And since rape is the most underreported crime in the country, many of us know someone who has been the victim of sexual violence.

What would a world look like without sexual violence? Over the next five years, the NYC Alliance Against Sexual Assault and several of New York City's rape crisis centers will be working with the Williamsburg community to prevent sexual violence.

It is not enough to treat the survivors of sexual violence after they have been victimized. And it is not enough to tell women to wear longer skirts, take a cab home after midnight or to drink less alcohol at a bar in order to prevent it. We want to do more. Project ENVISION is about creating a community that does not live in fear of sexual perpetrators, a community where everyone is free to walk down the street, whenever they want, without looking over their shoulders,a community where healthy and equitable relationships exist between partners and family members.

Our goal is to work in Williamsburg with community leaders, members and groups to identify how sexual violence impacts the community - and then eradicate it. We seek to reshape the social standards that promote sexual violence, be it at home, in schools, or in the neighborhood.

Right now, Project ENVISION is in the process of conducting research regarding sexual violence in Williamsburg. We are asking you, the people who live and work here, to tell us what goes on in your neighborhood - we need to know what you think causes sexual violence, what opportunities there are for prevention, and what resources exist in the community can help stop it before it starts. Once we have the information about what Williamsburg thinks, we will work with community leaders to develop projects to prevent sexual violence from the ground up.

Want to be involved? We need people from this area who are interested in participating in our research or interviews. We also need community members who are interested in the group - who want to be a part of the project's future and planning. You don't need a ton of time, and you commit only as much as you are able. All you need is a passion to live in a place where respect and equality matter.

For more information, please contact Veronica Green at veronicakgreen@gmail.com and Chris St. John at cstjohn@nycagainstrape.org.