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 Robert E. Aviles. I choose to help victims of any sexually based crime and as an investigator if the survivor doesn’t trust me how can I help them.
My name is Dawa. I am survivor and I know first-hand the toxicity generated by victim-shaming, blaming and denial.
My name is Karen W. I support sexual assault survivors being treated with humanity and dignity, and it begins by listening without judgment to their stories and by believing them.
My name is Emma Vassy. I pledge because I want survivors of abuse and sexual assault to feel truly listened to, not just heard. Survivors deserve to be believed and supported.
My name is Taylor Kelly. From the ages of 8-13 I was sexual assaulted. At the age of 20, I finally found my voice. It’s time to stop the silence!
