I have a weekly segment on Breakfast Television
Montreal (Thursdays at 8;10 a.m.) called Mom
Talk, where I interview guests about any and everything us parents worry
about when it comes to our children and ourselves. Education, sex, drugs,
alcohol, peer pressure, eating disorders, divorce, mom shaming, loveless
marriages, etc. No subject is ever too much. So, in line with this issue’s
recognition of International Women’s Month, I decided to write about something
I recently posted on my Facebook page.
The last thing I want is for anyone to feel sorry for me, because what
happened to me sure as hell doesn’t define me. I made this public because too
many women were being shamed and blamed for their sexual assault.
“She shouldn’t have
been alone with him.”
“What was she wearing?”
“Why didn’t she scream?”
“Why is she speaking
up now?”
Is that
what you would ask your daughter if she came to you with her truth about any
type of sexual assault? And that famous question of “Why didn’t she speak up
sooner?”
Go back to
the day you lost your virginity. Afterwards, did you get on the phone with mom
and dad, grandma and grandpa to give them the details? Of course not. Why?
Because anything that is sexual is usually private. And when someone takes
advantage of you in a sexual way, TRUST ME when I say it CAN be hard to speak
up and tell anyone about it.
You’re
ashamed, you feel helpless, and sometimes even guilty. Thank goodness for my
parents who believed me and supported me through all of this. Not everyone is
as lucky as I am. Ok, so I was taken advantage of by a family member when I was
in elementary school, and then by my psychologist
when I was a teenager. And more recently, I was sexually harassed at a work
event. But these men (cowards) have no power over me at this point in my life.
If anything, they have made me into the person that I am today.
Last
October actress Alyssa Milano encouraged the spreading of the phrase #MeToo, a
phrase that social activist and community organizer Tarana Burke created in
2006 as part of a grassroots campaign to promote “empowerment through empathy”.
All of a sudden, women started to find their voice and their courage to speak
up about their sexual assault. We realized in that moment that SO many women
were victims of sexual assault. Our mothers, sisters, friends, neighbours, and
colleagues had all been silent victims.
The #MeToo
gave us life! It made us realize that we are not alone and that by standing
together and sharing our stories, just
maybe someone could be spared. It’s empowering to finally be able to speak
out against sexual assault without fear, shame, and embarrassment. The #MeToo
declarations started a conversation of sexual harassment that we (women) all
knew was going on, but were too afraid to discuss. Women are finally finding
the courage to name their alleged abusers…do you know what that means for women
in the future? Hope! Women are not being harassed by nameless and faceless perpetrators. These abusers now know that their
victims will have a supportive movement behind them to call them out, and
that’s a start.
We still
have so much work to do as a society. Many men are asking, “How can I help?”
Some are oblivious and think that there’s no way this is happening to so many
women on a regular basis. There is
still so much work to be done. I look forward to the day where I can have a Mom Talk episode to discuss the topic of
sexual assault and dissect what #MeToo really means to victims.
As a mother
of two sons, it is my duty to ensure that they are raised to be respectful to
women at all costs. Hopefully you are doing the same in your household. Thankfully,
my sons have male figures in their lives – their dad, grandpa, godfathers –
modeling what respect for women looks like. And for that I am forever grateful.
Are you
having these conversations with your children? You must be proactive in
discussing the subject. Don’t think your kids are safe from sexual assault…it
can happen to anyone. Parents tend to struggle with the type of information to
provide to their children…how much is too much? Truth is, they probably know a
lot more than you think they do.
We always
say that education begins at home. So, if it does, let’s make a conscious
effort to do better. Teach your kids (boys and girls) about consent, respect,
and boundaries. It’s never too soon.
Until next
time…
Catherine
In The Latest Issue:Latest Issue:
- A Bittersweet Farewell
- The new Laval Aquatic Co...
- The End of an Era:
Articles
Calendar
Virtual- ANNUAL TEACHER APPRECIATION CONTEST
- APPUI LAVAL
- ARTS & CULTURE
- CAMPS
- CAR GUIDE
- CCIL
- CENTENNIAL ACADEMY
- CHARITY FUNDRAISING
- CITYTV
- COSMODÔME
- COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
- COVER STORY
- DINA DIMITRATOS
- ÉCOLE SUPÉRIEURE DE BALLET DU QUÉBEC
- EDITORIALS
- ÉDUCALOI
- EDUCATION
- EMPLOYMENT & ENTREPRENEURSHIP
- FÊTE DE LA FAMILLE
- FÊTE DU QUARTIER SAINT-BRUNO
- FAMILIES
- FESTIVAL LAVAL LAUGHS
- FÊTE DE QUARTIER VAL-DES-BRISES
- FINANCES
- GLI CUMBARE
- GROUPE RENO-EXPERT
- HEALTH & WELL-BEING
- 30 MINUTE HIT
- ANXIETY
- CHILDREN`S HEALTH & WELLNESS
- CLOSE AID
- DENTAL WELLNESS
- EXTREME EVOLUTION SPORTS CENTRE
- FONDATION CITÉ DE LA SANTÉ
- GENERAL
- HEARING HEALTH
- MESSAGES FROM THE HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA
- MENTAL HEALTH
- SEXUALITY
- SOCIAL INTEGRATION
- SPECIAL NEEDS
- TEENS
- THE NUTRITION CORNER
- THE NUTRITION CORNER - RECIPES
- VACATION DESTINATION
- WOMEN'S FITNESS
- WOMEN'S HEALTH
- HILTON MONTREAL/LAVAL
- HOME & GARDEN
- INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
- JAGUAR LAVAL
- LAVAL À VÉLO
- LAVAL FAMILIES TV SHOW
- LAVAL FAMILIES MAGAZINE CARES
- LAVAL URBAN IN NATURE
- LE PARCOURS DES HÉROS
- LES PETITS GOURMETS DANS MA COUR
- LEON'S FURNITURE
- LEONARDO DA VINCI CENTRE
- LFM PREMIERES
- LIFE BALANCE
- M.P. PROFILE
- MISS EDGAR'S AND MISS CRAMP'S SCHOOL
- MISSING CHILDREN'S NETWORK
- NETFOLIE
- NORTH STAR ACADEMY LAVAL
- OUTFRONT MEDIA
- PASSION SOCCER
- PARC DE LA RIVIÈRE-DES-MILLE-ÎLES
- PÂTISSERIE ST-MARTIN
- PIZZERIA LÌOLÀ
- PLACE BELL
- PORTRAITS OF YOUR MNA'S
- ROCKET DE LAVAL
- SACRED HEART SCHOOL
- SCOTIA BANK
- SHERATON LAVAL HOTEL
- SOCIÉTÉ ALZHEIMER LAVAL
- STATION 55
- STL
- SUBARU DE LAVAL
- TECHNOLOGY
- TEDXLAVAL
- TODAY`S LAURENTIANS AND LANAUDIÈRE
- TODAY`S LAVAL
- WARNER MUSIC
- THIS ISSUE
- MOST RECENT
Magazine
Why is She Speaking Up Now?
Articles ~e 105,7 Rythme FM 4 chemins Annual Teacher Appreciation Contest Appui Laval Arts & Culture Ballet Eddy Toussaint Camps THIS ISSUE MORE...
CONTESTS Enter our contests
CONTESTS Enter our contests
CALENDAR
Events & Activities
COMMUNITY Posts Events
PUBLICATIONS Our Magazine Family Resource Directory
LFM BUSINESS NETWORK Learn more
COUPONS Click to save!
COMMUNITY Posts Events
PUBLICATIONS Our Magazine Family Resource Directory
LFM BUSINESS NETWORK Learn more
COUPONS Click to save!
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Subscribe to the magazine
Un-Subscribe
E-NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our E-newsletter Un-Subscribe
WRITE FOR US Guidelines & Submissions
POLLS Vote today!
E-NEWSLETTER Subscribe to our E-newsletter Un-Subscribe
WRITE FOR US Guidelines & Submissions
POLLS Vote today!
ADVERTISERS
How to & Media guide
Pay your LFM invoice
SUGGESTIONS Reader's Survey Suggest a Listing
LFM About Us Our Mission Giving Back Contact Us
SUGGESTIONS Reader's Survey Suggest a Listing
LFM About Us Our Mission Giving Back Contact Us
PICK-UP LOCATIONS
Get a copy of LFM!
TERMS & CONDITIONS Privacy | Terms
ISSN (ONLINE) 2291-1677
ISSN (PRINT) 2291-1677
Website by ZENxDESIGN
TERMS & CONDITIONS Privacy | Terms
ISSN (ONLINE) 2291-1677
ISSN (PRINT) 2291-1677
Website by ZENxDESIGN