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By Margaret Mikkelsen, on December 3rd, 2011
 Lean On Me, from the 2011 Art Sale
The Sexual Assault Resource Agency (SARA) is soliciting submissions from local artists to be displayed and sold at a reception March 16, 2012 from 6-8pm at Random Row Books in Charlottesville.
Works by local artists on the theme of “Safe Spaces” will be sold to benefit SARA’s programs.
ARTWORK CRITERIA
Types of artwork that may be submitted include:
• Paintings
• Photography
• Sculpture, pottery
• Textiles
• Videos/Multimedia
• Mixed media
Unfortunately, because of space limitations SARA cannot accept large installations.
Artwork submitted must be related to the theme of “Safe Spaces”. The theme reflects the focus of the 2012 Three-for-All event, street harassment.
SARA requests that artists commit 50% of the sale of each work to the agency. Art work that is not sold by the end of the exhibit may be held by SARA for future sale or may be returned to the artist, according to the artist’s wishes.
Because we want this sale to be accessible as possible to everyone, pieces must have a maximum price of $300.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Artwork should be submitted by February 15, 2012. Submissions may be emailed to community@saracville.org or mailed to PO Box 1565 Charlottesville, VA 22902, and must include the following:
• A photograph of the work being submitted and its dimensions
• The price of the work
• Name, phone number, email, mailing address of the artist
• A brief artist’s statement to be listed in the catalogue
EVENT INFORMATION
Further details about the date and venue will be posted here as they are announced.
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on February 2nd, 2012
The following post from the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault does a great job of explaining why the CDC’s recent survey and crime statistics differ:
A response: How the CDC is overstating sexual violence in the U.S. — CALCASA – California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on February 1st, 2012
A second round of auditions will take place this Saturday.

Saturday, February 4th
3:30pm-5:00pm
The Sanctuary at The Haven, 112 West Market St
For more information and to receive a script please contact:
Sabrina Wells, Director
434-207-4683
vdaycharlottesville@gmail.com
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 31st, 2012
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 29th, 2012
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/24/health/as-victims-men-struggle-for-rape-awareness.html
A Department of Justice report found that 3 percent of men, or one in 33, had been raped. Some experts believe that one in six men have experienced unwanted sexual contact of some kind as minors.
But for many men, the subject is so discomfiting that it is rarely discussed — virtually taboo, experts say, because of societal notions about masculinity and the idea that men are invulnerable and can take care of themselves.
“We have a cultural blind spot about this,” said David Lisak, a clinical psychologist who has done research on interpersonal violence and sexual abuse and is a founding board member of 1in6, an organization that offers information and services to men who had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences as children.
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 27th, 2012
 Two enthusiastic Three-for-All participants
We are excited to announce that the second annual SARA Three-for-All will be held April 14th, on the Downtown Mall. The Three-for-All is a giant three-legged race to raise funds for SARA’s programs.
This fun, family-friendly race will encourage personal and community responsibility for ending sexual violence. Participants of all ages will pair up to step out together against assault, abuse, stalking, and harassment.
If 500 pairs participate, we will break the world record for the most pairs in a three-legged race!
To pull off this event, we will need support from local business sponsors. We have structured the activities to provide many opportunities for sponsors to have a high level of visibility. Our sponsorship packet has more details. Packages start at only $100!
Is this something you would like to help make happen?
Yes? Give me (Margaret Mikkelsen) a call at 434-295-7273, ext. 20 and I can answer any questions you might have. I hope I will be able to add you to our list of local business sponsors!
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 17th, 2012

A local production of The Vagina Monologues is auditioning actresses and interviewing volunteer crew. The performances will be March 8th and 9th. Proceeds will benefit SARA!
Auditions:
Saturday, January28th
1:30-5:00 pm
The Sanctuary of The Haven, 112 West Market Street, Charlottesville
For more information or to receive a copy of the script, please contact Sabrina Wells, the director, at 434-207-4683 or vdaycharlottesville@gmail.com.
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 12th, 2012
SARA is looking for a part-time Community Outreach Coordinator to join our team. The Community Outreach Coordinator position plays an important role in fulfilling our mission. Our objectives include improving the environment for survivors, connecting survivors to services, and inspiring adults to take active steps in their daily lives to support survivors and prevent sexual assault and abuse. We want to increase the number of people who know how to respond appropriately and compassionately to survivors, refer to SARA, and intervene safely in situations that show potential for sexual violence. No one person can achieve all of that alone, so the COC also serves as a community organizer, helping community members identify problems and develop solutions. The COC is responsible for development, coordination, implementation, and evaluation of all aspects of the outreach volunteer program; outreach and educational programming for adult members of the community, outreach event planning and coordination, and serving as SARA’s connection to the community. Must be willing to be trained to provide crisis intervention, support, and referral services over the SARA hotline and during on-call shifts (one week every two months) as needed. Bachelor’s Degree and/or two years of relevant working experience preferred. EOE. To apply, please send a resume and cover letter to director@saracville.org with Community Outreach Coordinator in the subject line. In your cover letter, please address how your skills and experience match the job requirements.
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 6th, 2012
FBI — Attorney General Eric Holder Announces Revisions to the Uniform Crime Report’s Definition of Rape.
This new, more-inclusive definition is a definite improvement over the old definition used to collect national crime statistics. The old definition defined rape as “the carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will.” That definition left out so many victims—men, women raped by other women, anyone incapacitated by drugs, alcohol or disability who could not consent, oral penetration, object penetration, etc.
The new definition, while not perfect, is much better:
“The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.”
This definition is used just to collect and aggregate crime data from local police departments, and does not affect statutes.
By Laurie Jean Seaman, on January 2nd, 2012
Common Sense Media (who we LOVE!) just posted a fantastic new list of Six Ways to be a Media-Savvy Parent in 2012! Take a look and get smart! Another fantastic (and brief!) Common Sense article we suggest is First Times: Tips for Talking About Virginity and Sex in Teen Dramas.
While you’re at it, take a look at SARA’s new video training for parents – all about parenting your child to lead a healthy sexual life. If you’d like to skip to the final chapter on Media and Technology, that’s fine, but please leave an evaluation too!
By Margaret Mikkelsen, on January 2nd, 2012
We are having a volunteer orientation for anyone who is interested in volunteering for SARA. Come out to find out more about our agency and how you can help end sexual violence in your community by becoming a SARA volunteer! If you have any questions, or for directions, please contact Theresa or Jasmine at 434-295-7273 or csc@saracville.org.
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A response: Is the CDC overstating sexual violence in the U.S. — CALCASA – California Coalition Against Sexual Assault
The following post from the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault does a great job of explaining why the CDC’s recent survey and crime statistics differ:
A response: How the CDC is overstating sexual violence in the U.S. — CALCASA – California Coalition Against Sexual Assault.