Walk Against Rape is an opportunity for the communities of San Francisco to come together and raise awareness around sexual assault. Statistics show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 11 men will be raped in their lifetimes, and it is estimated that less than 20% or rapes are reported to the police. The silence and taboo around rape in our society cause survivors to feel isolated and unsupported. The goal of Walk Against Rape is to empower survivors, their friends, families and supporters, to break that silence by walking together on the streets against rape, and declare that San Francisco will not tolerate sexual violence.

As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Walk Against Rape will be held on Saturday, April 24th, 2010. Walk Against Rape is a 3.1 mile walk starting at Justin Herman Plaza at 10am and culminating in a festival at noon in Dolores Mission Park. Walkers will arrive in the park to find speakers, performances, vendors, the Clothesline Project on display, prizes for the highest fundraisers, several community organizations who will be offering information and resources, and food and drink. Walkers interested in participating can download a registration form and begin to collect donations from their friends and family. All proceeds will benefit San Francisco Women Against Rape.

SFWAR, San Francisco's only community based rape crisis center, provides resources, support, advocacy and education to strengthen the work of all individuals, and communities in San Francisco that are responding to, healing from, and struggling to end sexual violence. At SFWAR, we believe that no single individual, organization, foundation, or business alone can stop the epidemic of sexual assault, but by responding as a whole community, we each bring our piece of the solution. We believe that education and community grassroots organizing are key tools to end sexual violence in our society.

Walk Against Rape aims to:

• Raise awareness in San Francisco around issues of sexual violence.
• Provide a space for survivors of sexual violence to heal and celebrate their survival.
• Educate communities about the resources available in the aftermath of an assault.
• Raise money for San Francisco's only community based rape crisis center.
• Create community around shared experiences of sexual violence so as to not isolate further the experience.
• To make visible what has historically been silenced and invisible.

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Watch SFWAR video of 2007 Walk YO! Youth Outlook TV video of 2007 Walk

Imagining a World Without Rape:
Second Annual Walk Against Rape

Over 400 people marched through San Francisco, for the Second Annual Walk Against Rape. As survivors celebrated the power of community to end rape, their loved ones, friends, and committed residents of San Francisco were present bearing witness. SFWAR intern and Walk participant Camille Bates said, "Just when the heat had gotten to me and my energy was waning we reached the Duboce intersection with the freeway over head. We stopped here to take a break; our break almost broke the bridge as we raised our voices in a unified yell, shout, cheer, scream. It was as if the strength of survivors and those supporting us were in harmonious agreement, reinforcing that we can keep surviving. This moment embodied the spirit of the entire walk." The Walk culminated in a celebration in Dolores Park where youth dance troupe performed, spoken word artists entertained, guitars blared healing music, and speeches compelled us to come together and stop sexual violence.

This year SFWAR partnered with the Activism and Social Change Program of New College in promoting and coordinating the WALK. With "Imagine a World Without Rape" signs taped to their clothing, students engaged in street outreach at Montgomery, Powell and Embarcadero BART stations. These students helped break the silence surrounding sexual assault by distributing flyers announcing the WALK and information about sexual violence, including resources for survivors. During the WALK, they led chants, held signs that read IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT RAPE, and created an interactive art -based healing space at the rally.

Walk Against Rape embodies the type of community action SFWAR views as essential in ending sexual violence. Over the last thirty-five years the anti-rape movement has truly changed how the world views sexual violence; by continuing to create spaces like Walk, one day we will end the epidemic of sexual violence. I'm proud and grateful to be a part of this community and to witness the individual and collective healing this event promotes.

If you want to be involved in our Walk Against Rape 2010, please contact Alma Munoz at almamunoz@sfwar.org or 415-861-2024 ext. 301.