People You Should Know: History of the Anti Rape Movement

The Awareness Center is closed.  We operated for fifteen years (April 30, 1999 - April 30, 2014).  The information on this site is being provide for educational and historical purposes only.

 April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

History of the Anti Rape Movement  - People You Should Know

Here's a brief history lesson in the movers and shakers within the Anti-Rape Movement.  We all need to be grateful to people like Susan B. Anthonly, Laura X, and the other individuals listed below.

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People

1. Susan B. Anthony
2. Feige Aufscher
3. Ellen Bass
4. Lucy Berliner
5. E. Sue Blume
6. Michael Brecher
7. Neil Brick
8. Susan Brownmiller
9. Ann Wolbert Burgess
10. Sandra Butler
11. Diana Carson
12. Irene Deschenes
13. Andrea Dworkin
14. Toni Cavanagh Johnson
15. Sophia Chamys
16. Laurieann Chutis
17. Marcia Cohn-Spiegel
18. Letty Cottin Pogrebin
19. Christine A. Courtois
20. Laura Davis
21. Peter Dimock 
22. Tom Economus
23. Barbara Engel
24. Beverly Engel
25. Dale English
26. Anne Marie Erikkson
27. Erik Erikson, PhD
28. Erik Erikkson
29. Hank Estrada
30. David Finkelhor
31. Frank L. Fitzpatrick
32. Yvonne Fedderson
33. Ken Followell
34. Howard Fradkin
35. Renée Fredrickson, PhD
36. Rebecca Freedman
37. William N. Friedrich
38. Sandi Gallant
39. James Garbarino
40. Eliana Gil
41. Chezi Goldberg (Scott Goldberg)
42. Jean Goodwin
43. Judith Herman
44. Jan Hindman
45. Beverly Holman
46. Lynda Lytle Holmstrom
47. Jim Hopper
48. Mic Hunter
49. Marc Klaas
50. Alicia Kozakiewicz
51. Laura X
52. Murray Levin
53. Mike Lew
54. Rachel Liberman
55. Sharon L. Lowenstein
56. Wendy Maltz
57. Leah Marinelli
58. Nancy Mayer
59. Helen McGonigle
60. Ava Miedzinski
61. Alice Miller
62. Ellen Mugmon
63. Toby Myers
64. Sara O'Meara
65. Debra Nussbaum Cohen
66. Peter Parker (AKA: Spider-Man)
67. Vicki Polin
68. Eugene Porter
69. Polly Poskin
70. Sally Jesse Raphael
71. Rabbi Nuchem Rosenberg
72. Florence Rush
73. Diana Russell
74. Margaret Sanger
75. Judge Charles B. Schudson
76. Bob Schwiderski 
77. Kathy Shaw
78. Ken Singer
79. Rick Springer
80. Rachel Steamer
81. Gloria Steinham
82. Lucy Stone
83. Jim Struve
84. Roland C. Summit
85. Marlo Thomas
86. Debby Tucker 
87. Victor Vieth
88. Tim Walsh
89. Lynn Wasnak
90. Charles Whitfield
91. Susan Weidman Schneider
92. Jan Wohlberg

Historic Organizations You Should Know

1. National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape
2. S4OS - Speaking for Our Selves
3. VOICES In Action (Victims Of Incest Can Emerge Survivors)

Also See:

1. History Anti-Rape Movement comes from the Women's Rights Movement
2. History of the Anti-Rape Movement in Illinois
3. History of Child Abuse, Neglect and Sexual Abuse/Assault Laws and Cases in Jewish Communities
4. Movies that Focus on Sex Crimes and Child Abuse
5. Similarities between the women's movement and addressing sexual violence in Jewish communities

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month: History of Child Sexual Abuse

Honoring Jim Hopper

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Jim Hopper, PhD

Jim Hopper is a highly respected clinical psychologist, researcher and forensic consultant who has dedicated his life to helping survivors of child abuse for the last twenty years.  

Jim has intensively studied the psychological and biological aspects of trauma and addiction and their treatment. He provides training on the neurobiology of sexual assault and traumatic memories for victim advocates, investigators and prosecutors in the military and civilian agencies in states around the U.S.

Dr. Hopper was a founding board member of "1 in 6", a non-profit organization dedicated to helping men who've had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences as boys live happier, healthier lives, and since 2010 has been a board member of the organization "Stop It Now!  

In the mid 1990s Jim developed an amazing web page which includes all sorts of information in hopes of educating the public about child abuse, and he wrote most of the content on 1in6.org, a comprehensive website that also showcases Jim's sensitive use of language when reaching out to men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences.

Honoring S4OS (Speaking for Our Selves)

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring  S4OS 

Speaking for Our Selves

S4OS (Speaking for Our Selves) was the first newsletter created by and for survivors of child abuse who developed a multiple personality disorder.  It was formed in the early 1980s and closed in 1989.  

According to reports back in 1987 the organization had 691 members.

The groups headquarters was out of Long Beach, CA.  

Jewish Survivors' Network Formed back in the 1980s

Back in the 1980s, there were a few   self-help group was formed for Jewish survivors of child sexual abuse, primarily made up of incest survivors.  The organizations also offered a monthly newsletter.  If you have any more information about these groups please forward it to Vicki Polin.  The organization shut down many years ago, yet it deserves a place in our history books.

Jewish Survivors Network: A Network for Jewish Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

P.O. Box 1566

Philadelphia, PA  19104

Jewish Adult Survivor's of Childhood Abuse Newsletter

P.O. Box 15242

Fremont, CA 94539

A newsletter focusing on issues specific to Jewish survivors.

V.O.I.C.E.S. in Action, Inc. (Victims of Incest Can Emerge Survivors)

P.O. Box 1488309

Chicago, IL 60614

Was an international non-profit organization which provides information, referrals and resource.  The group had a special interest group for Jewish Survivors of incest and childhood sexual abuse, which operated as a pen pal group; and for many years was ran by Vicki POlin

In Memory of Lynn Wasnak

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In Memory of Lynn Wasnak
(AKA: Lynn Iverne Koehler - Wasnak)

1945 - May 14, 2013

Lynn Wasnak (AKA: Lynn W.) has been a pioneer in self-help / anti-rape movement since 1989.  After a group called Speaking For Ourselves closed (which was the first newsletter for individuals with dissociative disorders) –– Lynn Wasnak picked up where they left off and she founded  the organization "Many Voices", which offers a bi-monthly newsletter, information and resources for survivors with dissociative disorders.

Lynn was a phenomenal writer and author of several books on dissociation.  Her books include "Mending Ourselves: expressions of healing & self-integration" and "Multiple Personality Disorder from the Inside Out".  

Lynn has been a loved and cherished friend to many for over a quarter of a century.

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“Lynn Wasnak died May 14, 2013 in her home in Cincinnati.” Lynn would have approved of that factual lead, believing it was better to come out and write what you mean rather than dance around a subject or doll it up. The problem is, that those who are her friends know that Lynn left a legacy that is truly alive, and will be as long as those who need her wisdom and help choose it to be, as long as there is a community of survivors willing to share.

The last few decades of Lynn’s life were focused on the organization for which she became executive director (and every other title at Many Voices Press). Certainly she continued her successful freelance writing career, but even the money earned from that went to subsidize her advocacy for those who suffer from abuse and trauma. At one point she decided to master the complicated world of nonprofits, and struggled to keep the organization financially afloat by using her own funds and those of special friends. A post office box full of reader submissions, and email overflowing with expressions of thanks and a need for information kept her going because it was confirmation that her efforts were needed.

Later, when Lynn was stunned to discover she had stage four breast cancer, she fought harder and more self-sacrificingly than anyone should be asked to do. But, she did so because Lynn really was the embodiment of “many voices.” When a friend commented that she couldn’t understand why Lynn fought so hard to live when she was suffering so much, daughter Diane had the answer: “She was unselfish.” 

Lynn was a voice for living life with passion. She was a voice for the oppressed and suffering. She was an advocate for Alzheimer’s research after losing both her mother and sister to the disease. (Following her mother’s death, Diane was determined to navigate a complicated research donor process to honor Lynn’s desire to have her brain donated to Alzheimer’s research.)

While she was in the throes of a particularly difficult physical and mental period, Lynn amazed everyone by taking on the cause of a senior center that was closing in her area. (This was an organization she had no connection with previously.) She was tireless in her giving.

Lynn’s voices – all of them— resonated with both brilliance and passion. She tackled each challenge armed with reams of research and documentation. What must her oncologist have thought when she would arrive at each appointment armed with the latest studies and knowledge of all the intricacies of what she was experiencing! 

Now Lynn’s voice has been silenced by a body that simply could not keep up with her mind and her epic efforts. That is where the rest of the world must take up the songs she sung so eloquently and the debates she fought so well. While there will be no more newsletters, books or postings from this prolific writer, the issue of dissociative disorders and abuse remains. The suffering remains. Lynn was a conduit for disseminating information from those who survived abuse. It was her wish that someone would continue that role; but even without it, each and every one of those she touched can keep Lynn’s voice for healing alive. ManyVoicesPress.com will remain online. We hope you will write and create and share through this and the Many Voices Press Facebook page. The greatest gift to Lynn would be to know that she created a community that is united and able to sustain itself. 

Even if you are not comfortable posting anything, please visit these pages periodically to read messages from others and to see if Many Voices Press has found a new conduit leader. It’s the most meaningful way to honor the voice she used for so many so passionately. 

A special note: Lynn died without a will, believing her body would be disposed of after her brain was removed. Unfortunately, the way things work is that the body of the deceased research victim is returned to the family. Diane, who is struggling with the loss of her mother and financial shortages herself, asks anyone who would like to contribute to these arrangements to please send a check to her at Many Voices Press, Many Voices, PO Box 2639, Cincinnati Oh 45201

Honoring Laurieann Chutis

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Laurieann Chutis

Laurieann Chutis is a Licensed Certified Social Worker who was pioneer in the anti-rape movement when it came to the creation of self-help groups for adult survivors of sex crimes.  Laurieann was the long time Director of Consultation and Education Services 

Ravenswood Community Mental Health Center.

Back in the early 1980s Laurieann saw the need for survivors to network and share their personal experiences with each other in a safe manor.  She got to work and created the first train volunteers in how to run safe self-help groups for those dealing with all sorts of issues out of Ravenswood Hospital and Medical Center in Chicago; which lead to her authoring a booklet entitled "How To Start A Self-Help Group".  Her work was internationally known and was highly respected.

Laurieann is also the author of numerous articles, including her most famous guide sheet entitled "FLASHBACK", which was also developed back in the early 1980s.  

ALSO SEE:

1. FLASHBACK (1984)
2. FLASHBACK Trauma signals the start of healing  (10/08/1989)

Honoring Roland C. Summit, MD

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Roland C. Summit, MD

Dr. Roland Summit was a blazing pioneer in the anti-rape movement when it came to protecting children, along with adult survivors of child abuse.  He was both highly respected and shunned for speaking out for both child and adult survivors when no one else was willing to put their reputations out on the line.  

Roland C. Summit was the medical director of the Community Consultation Service, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Harbor UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA; along with being the author of the historic document: "The Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome", along with being the author of numerous articles and books on the topic of child abuse.  Dr. Summit was a founding member of the boards of directors of Parents Anonymous and the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Dr. Summit founded the Los Angeles County Child Sexual Abuse Project and the UCLA Family Support Program.

Back in 1981 Roland Summit was quoted as saying "As much money must be spent on the victims of child abuse as is spent by society to incriminate and punish those who abuse the youngsters", at a conference in California. 

He also stated that "For centuries, sexual abuse of children was treated as a myth, said to be exaggerated or even blamed in some cases on the children themselves".

Dr. Summit continued by saying ''We are seeing sexual child abuse in a radically different light than we did 10 short years ago. In a way, we're discovering it now - we believe it now.'' 

''The difference is that a few years ago children would encounter sexual abuse and would find nobody in the adult world who understood them when they attempted to make their problems known.'' He said "statistics show that most adults who abuse children sexually are neither mentally nor emotionally ill".

Also see:

1980s

1. Spend same on abused, abuser, MD says (11/17/1982)
2. The Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (1983)
3. A Mute Girl's Story: Child Abuse and the System  (05/02/1984)
4. Experts on sexual child abuse try to defuse the time (01/27/1985)
5. The Stigma Being Wrongly Accused of Child Sex Abuse  (02/02/1985)
6. No One Invented McMartin `Secret' Techniques Were Right Ones to Get at Facts, Help Victims  (02/25/1986)
7. Study Focuses on Sexual Abuse of Boys Males May Be Victims in Up to 25% of Cases  (10/28/1986)
8. Sex offenders often victims of abuse  (07/18/1987)
9. Youth Groups Fear Specter of Sexual Abuse  (09/28/1988)

1990s

1. New Puzzle: High-Tech Pedophilia Technology: Computer disks confiscated in Glendora arrest contain sexually explicit material involving young boys. Police say the greater use of such equipment is more difficult to track down  (03/05/1993)

2000s

1. Scientific studies dispute writer's claim  (11/08/2004)
2. New Rule For Priests Avoids Facing Problem  (12/12/2005)

In Memory of Jan Hindman

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In Memory of Jan Hindman

Click on the image to enlarge

In Memory of Andrea Dworkin

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

In Memory of Andrea Dworkin

(September 26, 1946 - April 9, 2005)

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Radical Feminist Writer Andrea Dworkin Dies

By Adam Bernstein

Washington Post - April 12, 2005

Andrea Dworkin, 58, a self-proclaimed radical feminist whose scathing writings about sexuality, and pornography in particular, made her a provocative icon of the women's movement, died April 9 at her home in Washington.

A spokeswoman for the D.C. medical examiner's office said further investigation is needed to determine the cause of death. Ms. Dworkin had a variety of health problems and had several falls after recent knee surgery.

Encouraged by her socially conscious father, Ms. Dworkin embraced dissent from an early age. She refused to sing Christmas carols in elementary school and by sixth grade decided she wanted to change restrictive abortion laws. She admired books by the Bronte sisters as well as Che Guevara.

As a college freshman, she was arrested at the United Nations for protesting the Vietnam War and taken to a women's detention center. A humiliating body cavity search by male doctors followed. Her denunciations of her treatment helped shut down the facility.

Ms. Dworkin spent her career exploring what she considered the subordination of women, which she saw everywhere from marriage to pornography to conservative politics.

Using terms such as "gynocide" to describe a cultural holocaust against women, she was adored by some who found in her writings and lectures a refreshing rebelliousness, and decried by others, including novelist Anne Tyler, who found her tendency toward sweeping statements ludicrous.

Beginning with her book "Woman Hating" (1974), written when she was 27, Ms. Dworkin found her full, strident voice. Embracing a polemical style that sometimes overshadowed the content of her writing, she declared the book's objective was "to destroy patriarchal power at its source, the family, [and] in its most hideous form, the national state."

"Woman Hating" connected foot binding in China, witch burning in Europe, misogyny in fairy tales and pornography. She also argued that gender itself had to be eliminated before sexual equality could be achieved.

Her book "Intercourse" (1987) helped define her as a firebrand because some reviewers said she was labeling all sex as rape. She spent countless interviews denying that, but she had written pointedly over the years about marriage laws that she felt "mandated intercourse."

Perhaps her best-known title is "Pornography: Men Possessing Women" (1981). The book received positive attention from unlikely quarters, including Punch magazine, which said she "writes like a Leon Trotsky of the sex war."

About that time, she teamed with legal scholar Catharine A. MacKinnon to advocate for having pornography ruled a violation of women's civil rights. Their crusade began on behalf of Linda Lovelace, the porn actress who starred in "Deep Throat" and whose best-selling memoir about exploitation, "Ordeal," had just been published.

While teaching together at the University of Minnesota, Ms. Dworkin and MacKinnon conceived of an anti-pornography ordinance that did not ban flesh magazines and videos but enabled those "harmed" by them to sue pornographers for damages. The measure twice passed the Minneapolis City Council but was vetoed by the mayor. Other communities approved the measure, but federal courts ruled the laws unconstitutional on free speech grounds, decisions upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

In all, Ms. Dworkin said, she was far happier as a provocateur than a politician.

"I find compromise not impossible but incomprehensible," she said in an interview with New Statesman magazine. "Politicians kept talking to me about incinerators. I was bewildered. They'd vote for the civil rights bill if Legislator X would vote to put some incinerator somewhere -- not in their district, I think. My eyes would glaze over. Then I'd become enraged.

"The trade-offs, the payoffs, sometimes actual blackmail and bribery," she added. "I was good at holding the politicians' feet to the fire, in private and in public, to excoriate them, to move their constituents, but from a basis of principle. That I can do. I have good practical instincts on where dominant structures are vulnerable. This requires a high tolerance for risk and conflict."

Andrea Rita Dworkin was born Sept. 26, 1946, in Camden, N.J., and raised in what became Cherry Hill, N.J. She helped care for her ill mother and was shuffled among other relatives. Her father was a guidance counselor and post office employee, so pro-labor that he once refused a management job there.

Her early desire was to be a Greenwich Village artist, and she made frequent trips to New York, paying her bus fare, she said, by finding "some stupid man . . . and basically exchange sex for money."

Honoring Mic Hunter

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Mic Hunter

Starting back in 1983, Mic Hunter started his career in helping survivors of sex crimes to heal.  He has been a prolific writer, author and world renowned speaker on topics relating to survivors of child sexual abuse, addictions and sex offenders. He is a licensed Psychologist and a Marriage and Family Therapist in the state of Minnesota. 

Mic is the author of the book "Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims of Sexual Abuse", which was one of the first books to address the issues of male survivors of sex crimes and was published back in 1990.

Honoring Ellen Mugmon

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Ellen Mugmon

Ellen Mugmon has been advocating for the the rights of children in the state of Maryland in various capacities for over twenty years.  She is highly honored and respected for her lobbying efforts in making laws better for children living in the State of Maryland.

Over the years she's received numerous awards and honors for her work including being listed as one of the Maryland's Top 100 Women in the Marylad Daily Record, receiving the First Annual Governor's Council on Child Advocacy and Neglect Award back in 1999 and the  Child Advocacy Award by the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics back in 1997.  

Honoring Michael Brecher

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Honoring Michael Brecher

Over the years Michael has overcome so many obstacles in his life and is a hero to the Jewish people.  Every time Michael Brecher walks in a room, everyone should stand up and give him a round of applause. 

If not for Michael's courage and tenacity to do what everyone told him was impossible, Rabbi Stanley Levitt would still be out there molesting more children.  Though it took Michael nearly a decade, he was able to have his sex offender tried, convicted and sentenced for the sex crimes committed against him along with several others who were sexually assaulted by Levitt back in the 1970s.