On behalf of PA NOW & Philly NOW, I am deeply grateful to everyone who showed up on Saturday, October 30th for our Solidarity Rallies & Ride in support of the survivor/victim who was sexually assaulted on October 13th and the scores of others whose pain and trauma has never been acknowledged.
This action was pulled together very quickly and we know many wanted to join us but had previous commitments. We started with a Rally at the 15th Street/City Hall Septa Station. We then boarded the Market Street, Elevated line to 69th Street Station in Upper Darby, where we concluded with a rally in the Grand Hall. This was the beginning of a conversation precipitated by the horrific sexual violence on SEPTA on Oct 13th and we hope to build on these gatherings to collectively have sustainable progress towards ending RAPE CULTURE in our region. To be SAFE & SECURE in Public spaces including transit is a HUMAN RIGHT!
The primary reason for being here is because we were outraged that, yet another sexual assault took place in a public space this time on public transit. Even more outraged that there has not been an outpouring of support or even acknowledgment of the trauma of the survivor/victim of the SEPTA sexual assault that happened on October 13th. That it is commonplace as with other incidents of sexual assault, to basically gloss over such attacks and have no real SYSTEMIC RESPONSE in addressing sexual violence and ending it! No solidarity was expressed with the survivor of this incident and survivors of so many other sexual assaults; no action plan was put forth to address violence in our public spaces and public transit.
Ending violence against women is one of our 6 priorities of the NOW.
FACTS (from RAINN-Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network rainn.org):
*Every 68 seconds another American is sexually assaulted.
*Nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. While we know that a person of any gender or sexual orientation can be sexually assaulted, transgender and non-binary individuals and communities experience shocking amounts of violence and discrimination.
*A majority of child victims are 12-17. 34% of victims of sexual assault and rape are under age 12, and 66% of victims of sexual assault and rape are age 12-17
*Only 25 out of every 1,000 rapists will end up in prison.NOW was founded in 1966 with the purpose of advocating for women’s rights.
NOW’s 6 core missions include ending violence against women. Safety has become a concern for transit workers and riders. We require training for our communities to be proactive bystanders to stop the violence. We demand a collective & coordinated response from SEPTA, law enforcement, elected officials, administrations at the state, local, and federal levels as follows:· Immediately institute live monitoring of cameras on public transport.
- Increase SEPTA security measures including the use of trained social services personnel at stations/trains/buses.
- Enhance public engagement of the See Something Say Something Campaign· Inform all passengers of the SEPTA App to report violence, the emergency call button on trains, and other tools to safely engage as a bystander.
- Work with community partners across PA to address local problems so they don’t spill onto platforms and trains/buses.
- Elaborate budgets allocated to public safety.·
- Publish available Stats/data on violence on SEPTA and stations.
- Investigation into the feasibility of a Bystander Law in PA.
Many thanks to our speakers!
At the Philadelphia: 15th Street/City Hall Septa Station: Nina Ahmad, Interim President of PA NOW, Leslie Richards, General Manager of SEPTA; Keir Grey, ESQ, former Public Defender, Rachel Copen, and Teresa White-Walston, Acting Co-Executive Directors of WOAR, Cherelle Parker, Majority Leader in PHL City Council and Councilmember 9th District, Larry Krasner, District Attorney, Helen Gym, City Councilmember at large, Nadeem Bezar, ESQ, from Kline Specter who represents clients who have experienced child abuse in alternative placement settings, sexual assault on college campuses, human trafficking. A statement was sent by Councilmember Cindy Bass (District-8) & Councilmember Kendra Brooks (At Large) stopped by as well.
At the Grand Hall at the 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby: Jeannette R. Geter, Interim PA NOW Vice President, Candice Linehan, Assistant Executive Director of Delco Victim Services Assistance (formerly WAR), Congressmember Mary Gay Scanlon, Laura Wentz, President Upper Darby Council & PA CLUW President, Christine Reuther, Delaware County Council Member, State Senator Tim Kearney, Sheik Siddique, Upper Darby Council member (District 6), Gina Hackett, Upper Darby School Board Vice President, Mary Onama, Executive Director, Montgomery County Victim Services Center, Leslie Richards, General Manager, SEPTA, Nina Ahmad, PA NOW Interim President.
Thanks to Colleen Kennedy for the videos.Thanks to Naroen Chinn & Ahsan Nasratullah for the pics.
In Solidarity,
Nina Ahmad, Ph.D
Interim PA NOW President
