Don’t miss this important two part Oprah, the first airing today November 5.

It has been a crucial part of my mission through my work with PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment to include men’s voices to shatter the silence of sexual violence. Every time I speak a conference, I hear other presenters use the word “She” and “Her” when speaking of survivors of sexual assault. I always speak up and voice my opinion that we need to stop using gendered language because at times even our movement silences male survivors!

This Oprah episode will surely create a groundswell of men speaking out, but the problem lies in the fact that many communities lack the support systems for male survivors. I have heard from countless men across the country on college campuses who survived sexual trauma and when they sought help from local rape crisis centers or counseling centers, they were turned away. This must change!

We are partnering with the organization 1 in 6 and Big Voice Pictures who created the film Boys and Men Healing to work towards cultivating education and action to support men who have been sexually abused. And PAVE’s Empowerment Director Gabe Wright is an outspoken male survivor. Click here on The Guys Project website and watch his short video.

You can submit your email to stay active in making sure we work as survivors and allies to help men and boys heal from sexual abuse!! www.TheGuysProject.org

Other friends of PAVE doing this important work include:

– Chris and Ophelia of  (Wo)Men Speak Out

– Male Survivor

I am seeking your comments…what do we need to do as a society to help men and boys heal from sexual abuse? And if you saw the Oprah show, what did you think?