TAKE THE PLEDGE
WHEN A VICTIM COMES TO YOU,
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
HOW WILL YOU RESPOND?
When someone tells you they were raped or sexually assaulted, knowing how to respond is critical. A negative response can worsen the trauma and foster an environment where perpetrators face no consequences for their crimes.
Start by Believing stops this cycle by improving our personal and professional reactions.
It all starts with you. Make your personal commitment to Start by Believing.
- Start by Believing when someone tells me they were raped or sexually assaulted
- Support survivors on the road to justice and healing
- Help end the silence
I PLEDGE TO:
My name is Danielle. I was a victim of severe domestic violence that included physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Now i am a survivor. I am dedicating my life to help other women and children get out of abuse. I want to be an advocate for those that are afraid, and the strength for those that have no fight left.
My name is Maud Mwakasungula. I support women and girls survivors. We need more collaboration to deal with sexual abuse . We need to empower victims/survivors and all communities. It is possible.
My name is Rosalie. Sexual assault survivors already worry that no one will believe them, or that they did something to cause or deserve the assault. I want everyone to feel safe enough to report this crime, and to experience the validation that comes with another person saying, “I believe you,” and “It wasn’t your fault.” That’s why I Start By Beliving.
My name is Kailee Christensen. I’m pledging because I want others to know that I am a person that they can trust to believe them and help them with whatever they need.
My name is Eden. I was violently raped and sexually assaulted. It was, as I have been told, a near death experience. After the crime occurred my “friends” ostracized me. They clearly did not want to help me heal from my trauma. They claimed it was “too much work” for them.
