This guest blog explores the attitudes found in our non-profits that create a climate for not challenging sexual harassment. These conditions, and some can be called micro-aggressions, include preventing speaking out, encouraging overwork and other employment issues that undervalue the individual, and fetishizing leadership.
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Exposing the truth: sexual misconduct and gender inequity are immobilizing our movement. Guest Blog
This is one of a series of guest editorials I will be hosting here on my blog. As we confront the extensiveness of sexual harassment and exploitation in our culture, it is important for us to recognize how it specifically influences the animal rights movement, and those who are activists for animals. This guest editorial was written by and for women in the animal protection movement who need and deserve a voice. It is being published anonymously for the protection and safety of those who want to share their perspective and experiences.
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How Should We Respond To Sexual Harassment And Sexual Exploitation In The Animal Rights Movement? Part 2: Accountability for Individuals: What would this look like in the animal rights movement?
Someone who has been a sexual harasser/sexual exploiter needs to be accountable for their actions. This involves:
1) Taking responsibility for naming and telling the truth about what they did.
2) Acknowledging the harm that has been done through deep and sincere regret for the damage done to the survivor, the organization, and the movement by the actions.
3) Acceptance of full responsibility for causing and rectifying the situation.
4) Stop all behavior that is controlling and sexually exploitive of another.
5) Acceptance of the consequences for having betrayed one’s position within the movement.
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How Should We Respond to Sexual Harassment and Sexual Exploitation in the Animal Rights Movement? Part 1 Self-Care and the Vulnerability of Inequality
What can we say to those who have become victimized by serial sexual exploiters in the animal rights movement? What is the role of self-care? How do we understand the problem of boundaries? How do we stop the male protection racket in the movement? These and other issues are explored in this blog.
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THE SECOND CLASS STATUS AND EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN IN THE ANIMAL RIGHTS MOVEMENT. Ten questions
Why hasn’t the animal rights movement dealt with the sexual abuse and exploitation in its midst?
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