POETRY >If you’re a man
If you’re a man
⚠️ I wrote this poem in solidarity with survivors of abuse, especially child abuse, sometimes abbreviated to CSA.
If you're a man
And you're not trans
Big chance is
You won't know
Some of your blood's
Known abuse
One off or not
Or was it you?
Which is messed up
The whole thing is.
NOTES:
As far as I'm aware, many cis men don't have a clue what their family members (“blood”), friends, co-workers, fellow students have been through and about ongoing experiences of sexual violence in their community -unless they are actively or have been involve as a perpetrator.
My belief is that this ignorance plays a part in problematic interactions between cis men and non-cis men.
Shame silences. That's why I think it's vital for ALL schools to educate young people about consent. And for all men to educate themselves. Until sexual violence no longer exists, like racism, it's everyone's problem.
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