It’s time to have uncomfortable conversations. It’s taken me a long time to come to this. I’ve been living in the rage for so long that when it finally started to chafe, I didn’t recognize myself. And it’s not just my own rage, either. I have reveled in the fiery rants of John Stewart and…
[Trigger Warning: rape] In case you missed it, I got to bring a bit of The Sin City Siren spirit into the pages of Vegas Seven (my day job) this week. Here’s a taste: When Lady Gaga sang The Hunting Groundanthem, “’Til It Happens to You,” at the Oscars—flanked by sexual assault survivors onstage who…
Trigger Warning: rape, violent crime Even as the Justice Department reports that our nation’s crime labs are processing more rape kits, there is a greater backlog than ever in analysis of potential evidence. Indeed, it is estimated that there are as many as 400,000 untested kits sitting in evidence storage all across the country. Considering…
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and survivors are waiting in limbo as the landmark Violence Against Women Act awaits congressional reauthorization. It’s been 18 years since then-Senator Joe Biden drafted VAWA and it was signed into law by President Bill Clinton. Since its inception, the law has enjoyed bipartisan support — something many are…
In modern warfare, rape has become a tool of combat. From Bosnia to Afghanistan, attacking forces have used the brutality of rape to control those they wish to conquer or punish. And if that is the case, there is a silent war happening right here in our country where Native American women are more than…
Vigilante justice on twitter? In these modern times of social media available with the flick of a thumb across a smart-phone screen, it was inevitable that a survivor of sexual violence would name their attacker(s) in a public forum. World, meet 17-year-old Savannah Dietrich of Kentucky. She’s got ovaries of steel: “There you go, lock…
Turning black eyes blue? Not sure what to make of this PSA illustrating ways to cover bruises from domestic violence with makeup. Is this one of those times that we take the less-than-perfect because the end result is light bulbs going off? Or is this bullshit? Got blood? We’re having a blood shortage. But gay…
Have you signed the UFC petition, yet? You only have 8 more days until it closes! Then I will be delivering it to the UFC headquarters in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness month in April. This is a chance to have your voice be heard that rape jokes and hate speech are NOT funny. Ever!…
*TRIGGER WARNING FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE* Earlier today I participated in a tweet chat about sexual violence and the #IDidNotReport campaign with my Fem2.0 colleagues. It was a great and lively discussion that dealt with a spectrum of issues related to sexual violence — from workplace harassment to sexual abuse to rape. When you get down…
Great news, everyone! We now have a date and time set for The Sin City Sirens bowling team for the National Network of Abortion Funds bowl-a-thon! Join us on Sunday, April 15 at 1pm at the South Point Bowling alley! Sign up for the team here! Or, just show up with a donation and join…
The Sin City Siren 