For Immediate Release
January 20, 2016
Contact: Tracy D. Wright, [email protected], (919) 871-1015
Raleigh, NC- On January 21, 2016, advocates from the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) will attend the National Justice Ride in Oklahoma City along with hundreds of activists, artists, and community members of color from across the country to stand with survivors of sexual violence. The event is organized by Black Women’s Blueprint to stand with the survivors of Daniel Holtzclaw and to stand symbolically with every survivor of sexual violence. Holtzclaw is an Oklahoma City police officer convicted of raping 13 African American women. It’s estimated that there may be as many as 32 women that Holtzclaw assaulted while on duty, using his police authority to prey upon members of the African American community.
Black Women’s Blueprint is a civil and human rights organization of women and men. Its purpose is to take action to secure social, political, and economic equality in American society. Thanks to generous support from NCCASA’s national partners, advocates will make the trip to Oklahoma City where they will attend the national event and take a stand against the sexualized brutalization of Black women and girls as the Holtzclaw sentencing is read. Black Women’s Blueprint states that the Holtzclaw case “reaffirms the glaring reality that a critical need exists for sustained action to address the on-going campaign of dismissal and disdain against Black women sexually assaulted and brutalized by State agents. The existence of Black women survivors, their truths and narratives must be spoken out loud. We must speak the names of those who give us permission, and tell their stories not only when they’re dead, but while they are still alive.”
“As a coalition that actively works against racism and oppression, it’s imperative for our advocates to stand up and show support for survivors not only in North Carolina but across the country,” said Monika Johnson-Hostler, Executive Director of NCCASA. “By attending the National Justice Ride in Oklahoma City we hope to remind survivors that they are not alone.”
“As sexual assault advocates it is our responsibility to serve ALL sexual assault victims. Part of that responsibility is challenging and calling out people in positions of power who misuse that power. Another huge part of that responsibility is understanding how history, the ISMs, and present day events shape who perpetrators target and why,” said Kristen Howe, Director of Training and Education for NCCASA. Howe added, “Daniel Holtzclaw targeted women and girls who he thought would not report and if they did would be viewed as less credible. As a white ally I confidently say that you can’t talk about Holtzclaw without talking about racism, power, oppression and history. I call on my fellow white advocates to speak out, share in the outrage and to support our women of color coworkers, friends, leaders and the victims not only today and this week, but next week, next year and for as long as racism and sexual violence exist.”
In addition to having staff present in Oklahoma City, NCCASA will utilize social media to show solidarity for the victims and support for the ally organizations involved. As advocates working to end sexual violence, this is our work. NCCASA can be followed on Twitter @NCCASA and on Facebook at North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault.”
About the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the North Carolina Coalition Against Sexual Assault (NCCASA) is a nonprofit organization that serves as the sole statewide expertise and alliance working to end sexual violence through education, advocacy and legislation. NCCASA provides prevention education, intervention resources, and public policy to end all forms of sexual assault. Our dedicated staff works with over 80 rape crisis centers across the state in addition to the military, law enforcement, college campuses, attorneys and allied professions to create a coordinated response to sexual assault.