July 2018: How to make #metoo more than a hashtag?

A few weekends ago, I was in Tucson, Arizona - joined by survivors, advocates, and amazing men and women who are sharing their wisdom and healing modalities with others. The purpose of the conference was two fold: teach survivors tools, strategies to support them in their healing and to spur conversation about how we can move the Me Too movement forward, to make sure that it is more than just a hashtag. A local news station even came out to cover the event: I was so inspired by the other men and women who have been working in this field for 40+ years. I was also encouraged by the voices of the 20-somethings in the room who are fired up and full of ideas and spirit. There are so many layers to this issues, and yet there are very real, tangible things we can all do: On a personal level: Provide support and encouragement to the people closest to you. Share your story when it is safe to do so -- you never know who you might help and who you might help find their voice when you speak your truth. Speak up when people around you are using language that perpetuates stereotypes, male dominance, rape culture. On a local level: Bring people together in your community (including men!) to connect and explore solutions.. On a national level: Engage with your local and national leaders. My favorite tools for doing so are 5calls.org and Resistbot. At the end of the day, there are hundreds of ways we can participate in this movement, and I left the conference feeling inspired and clear that we all have a hand to play! More than just a hastag, Watch Victoria Steele (Arizona Legislator & Counselor who I had the pleasure of meeting at the conference) speak about how to put an end to sexual violence Read Monica Casper's (I also got to meet her at the conference!) article, "Toward a Theory and Praxis of Sustainable Feminism" What can you do this month on a personal, local, or national level to move the #metoo movement forward?

BOOK OF THE MONTH 10 books to read during the #metoo era READ MORE HERE! UPCOMING EVENTS SNAP Annual Conference A conference for Survivors of Sexual Trauma & Their Supporters Join Rachel Grant, guest speaker, for this epic event. #timetoheal July 6 & 7 Chicago, Illinois SNAP was founded in 1988 as a self-help support group for those who were sexually violated. This summer, they celebrate their 30th year supporting survivors, protecting children, and raising community awareness through education and advocacy. I'll be there to speak about how we can take charge of the trauma brain and move forward with our lives! Join the movement and share this post with your community #timetoheal #breakthesilence Learn more! July Topic: Trauma & Re-enactment This is an issue we all need to be aware of as survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Re-enactment is about the unconscious drive in all of us to master our traumatic experiences and triumph over the past. And it is possible to become caught up in behaviors that re-enact the experiences we had as children of dysfunction, poor care, exploitation, and shame. Learn More & Register Here Rachel Grant, M.A. Counseling Psychology Sexual Abuse Recovery Coach 415.484.5682 www.rachelgrantcoaching.com "What you think, you create"