Past Guests & Transcripts

For those who are not familiar, Vday.org is a global movement to stop violence against women and girls. Vday.org is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sexual slavery.

Vday.org has already raised 7000$L from Donation Jars already placed among various shops and sims. In addition, Brilliant Blondes is selling a Calendar created by Connie Sec.

All profits from the Calendar will be donated to Vday.org.

Friday Night Talkshow Transcripts: Calliedel Boa/ Vday.org

Wurlitzer: What can you tell us about Vday.org and how long has it been in existence?

CallieDel: V-day originally started in theatre. Eve Ensler, the author of the New York smash hit “The Vagina Monologues’, with the help and stories over 200 women was inspired to write these monologues to help raise awareness about the violence against women & girls. The overwhelming response to this inspired what we know today as V-day, or Vday.org. That was in 2002.

I would like to note bringing Vday.org into Second Life was not my idea. It was a combination of such artists and performers such as Lauren Weyland, ToryLynn Writer, Ada Radius, Calliope Delgado, Allie Tomsen, Paggles Whitman, Marin Mielziner, Erlic Chevalier, and many others who worked in collaboration to write, produce and perform “In The Pink” which was performed with actress and owner of Ivy Falls Talent Rekka Berchot in the theatre located there.

The group Brilliant Blondes made a calendar for 2008 and sold it, all proceeds from the Calendar went to Vday.org and I managed to get together a benefit performance with Valeria Pera where donations from her concert also went to Vday.org.

Wurlitzer: Describe the Missions of Vday.org

CallieDel: V-Day is an organized response against violence toward women.

V-Day is a vision: We see a world where women live safely and freely.

V-Day is a demand: Rape, incest, battery, genital mutilation and sexual slavery must end now.

V-Day is a spirit: We believe women should spend their lives creating and thriving rather than surviving or recovering from terrible atrocities.

V-Day is a catalyst: By raising money and consciousness, it will unify and strengthen existing anti-violence efforts. Triggering far-reaching awareness, it will lay the groundwork for new educational, protective, and legislative endeavors throughout the world.

V-Day is a process: We will work as long as it takes. We will not stop until the violence stops.

V-Day is a day. We proclaim Valentine's Day as V-Day, to celebrate women and end the violence.

V-Day is a fierce, wild, unstoppable movement and community. Join us!

Wurlitzer: What are some of accomplished victories throughout the years of Vday.org?

CallieDel: Public Awareness of Rape in the DRC Strengthens as Violence Escalates Following the V-Day and UNICEF events in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in September, which brought together many international reporters, the situation facing Congolese women has been highlighted in numerous international publications and online resources. In addition to the New York Times article Rape Victims' Words Help Jolt Congo Into Change by: Jeffery Gettleman, the following outlets have published articles aimed at bringing the issue of rape and violence against women in the DRC to millions of people worldwide. As one example, there are more.

Wurlitzer: How many regions throughout the world are associated with Vday.org?

CallieDel: Karama, Arabic for dignity, supports a regional movement to end violence against women and is led by women activists from eight sectors: politics, economics, health, art/culture, education, media, law, and religion. With headquarters in Cairo and a regional office in Amman, Jordan, V-Day Karama builds networks within and across Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Morocco, Algeria, Syria, Sudan, and Tunisia, providing a structure for activists in the region to come together and build the movement for women’s equity and rights. The V-Day Karama Program head office supplies training, funding, and ongoing support to these diverse women’s networks. Multinational conferences and forums take place annually to serve as vehicles for fundraising, visibility, and inspiration.

Wurlitzer: Callie please explain the conflicts and controversies Vday.org has been facing.

CallieDel: Before Vday.org stations refused to say vagina on air, TV stations ran entire segments on the play without mention of the word and newspapers hid under the safety of abbreviation. Eight years later the word vagina is spoken openly on TV and radio and printed freely in papers and magazines all over the world.

Wurlitzer: Who are some of the activists that are associated with Vday.org?

CallieDel: Since its inception, V-Day has been graced by the support of extraordinary women. Our "Vulva Choir" has grown year upon year. Following is a partial list of the performers who have worked to end violence against women and girls by participating in V-Day events over the years.

Kirstie Alley, Gillian Anderson, Glenn Close, Melissa Etheridge, Rachel Blanchard,

Jane Fonda, Teri Garr, Robin Givens, Ali McGraw, Marlo Thomas, Oprah Winfrey,

Gloria Steinem, of course Eve Ensler and a host of other people it would take more time to mention.

Wurlitzer: Vday.org is not only a female support group…there is also V-day men, can you describe how men are helping out Vday.org?

CallieDel: I think it’s making them aware the women are not property and deserve to be treated as they themselves would like to be treated. No one wants to get beat up, well almost no one anyway. Also, because of this…

I would suggest to men to visit the website, there is a group for men as well.

Wurlitzer: What are some ways we can take action to raise more awareness of Vday.org?

CallieDel: Become a College Organizer…

The V-Day College Campaign invites members of college and university communities around the world to present benefit productions of The Vagina Monologues and other select works on their campuses to raise money and awareness to stop violence against women and girls in their community and abroad.

Become a Community Organizer…

The V-Day Community Campaign invites women and men in communities and in High Schools around the world to present productions of The Vagina Monologues and other select works to raise money and awareness to stop violence against women and girls in their communities and abroad

2009 Spotlight Campaign…

Each year V-Day spotlights a particular group of women who are experiencing violence with the goal of raising awareness and funds to put a worldwide media spotlight on this area and provide aid groups who are addressing it. In 2009, the V-Day spotlight campaign is: Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power To The Women and Girls of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Many young students and youth groups have expressed a desire to be involved with V-Day

Violence against women and girls is widespread; one woman in three will experience violence during her lifetime, most often at the hands of someone she knows

View resources for people experiencing violence in their lives, or know someone who is experiencing violence

Stay in Touch, Donate and Shop. http://Vday.org

Wurlitzer: What will the spotlight campaign of Vday.org 2009 be focusing on?

CallieDel: In September 2008, V-Day founder/artistic director Eve Ensler traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On September 12th in Goma, and on September 19th in Bukavu, V-Day in partnership with UNICEF, organized two day-long events, "Women Breaking the Silence" as part of the joint global campaign: “Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls in Democratic Republic of Congo." The event featured for the first time in the history of the DRC survivors of sexual violence publicly speaking out against their rapes and the impact of violence on their lives. In front of authorities from the government of the DRC, the United Nations, various Embassies to the DRC, representatives from North Kivu civil society, and campaign activists, seven women told their stories of rape and issued a call to the world to put an end to the sexual violence that has afflicted hundreds of thousands of women and girls in the country.

Sexual violence in the eastern DRC continues at epidemic proportions. Rape is used as a weapon of war to torture and humiliate women and girls. This systemic sexual violence and femicide not only destroys women and young girls but also entire families and communities. Survivors often suffer in silence, fearing stigma and ostracism. In addition to the severe psychological impact, many survivors are left with genital lesions, traumatic fistulae and other physical wounds, as well as unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Local response to support survivors is hindered by a lack of resources. There is near total impunity for these crimes as perpetrators almost always walk free.

"Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource, Power To The Women And Girls Of The Democratic Republic Of Congo" is being initiated by the women of Eastern DRC, V-Day and UNICEF on behalf of UN Action Against Sexual Violence in Conflict. The campaign calls for an end to the violence and to impunity for those who commit these atrocities.

Wurlitzer: How can students get involved with Vday.org in their school/community?

CallieDel: Ways you can make a difference:

* Organize a school dance where the proceeds will go to a local organization that works to end violence

* Have an "Anti-Violence Day" at your school and invite local groups to share information and ways to help with your school

* Have a "Shoot Hoops to End Violence" drive

* Design and designate a Rape Free Zone in your high school

* Start a flower selling campaign and give the proceeds to a local 501(c)3 organization that works to end violence

* Have a Q & A Day that will create an opportunity for an open forum between girls and boys

* Organize a 'Take Back the Night" at your high school or in your town

* Work with your school librarian to create a section for women authors

* Contact your local women's shelters to ask what they most need and then have a donations drive

* Add a great women's quote to your email signature (AND the V-Day link! www.vday.org)

* Volunteer for 1 hour a week at a local shelter

* Organize a "Take Your Daughter/Mother/Sister/Grandmother to Self Defense Class" group

* Start a monthly "Movie Night In" with your friends to watch movies about women leaders

* Organize an 'Envisioning Group' in your area to brainstorm about how your world would be different if there was no violence

* Contact a local Worldwide or College Campaign event organizer to get involved with their event

***please work with your school's administration on any of the ideas you are interested in bringing to your school***

Wurlitzer: What are some statistics regarding violence against women?

CallieDel:

• According to a report in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 28 % of US female veterans reported sexual assault during their careers, with consistent rates found across eras (Women's eNews, 3/30/03).

• In the US Central Command region, which includes Iraq and Afghanistan, the number of US servicewomen's reported sexual assaults rose from 24 in 2002 and 94 in 2003 to 123 in 2004. In the US military overall, the number of assaults reported by US servicewomen in 2004 increased to 1,275--25% higher than 2003's total, and 41% more than in 2002. (reported in the Washington Post, May 7, 2005)

• Nearly 20% of women in New Hampshire say they have been raped. (NH Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, University of New Hampshire, and state authorities, 2007)

• In a survey in South Africa, 25% of the young men admitted to having had sex with a woman without her consent, before he was 18 years of age (Human Rights Watch).

• In the late nineties in South Africa, 40% of reported rapes and attempted rapes targeted girls younger than 17 years of age. (Human Rights Watch)

• In a survey of women in Seattle's Puget Sound area, 11 percent said they had been raped by their partners. (Group Health Center for Health Studies, Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center and the University of Washington. Reported in Seattle Times, May 16, 2006)

• In Seoul, Korea, 22% of adult women said they had been the victims of rape and attempted rape (UNIFEM, www.stopvaw.org).

• In Colorado, 24% (1 in 4) of women and 6% (1 in 17) of men have experienced a completed or attempted sexual assault. This equates to over 11,000 women and men each year experiencing a sexual assault in Colorado. In 1997, there were 1,794 rapes reported to Colorado law enforcement. If compared to the 1998 Statewide Survey, these reports constitute only 16% of sexual assaults. (Sexual Assault in Colorado: Results of a 1998 Statewide Survey. 1998. Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault)

• One in six American women has been the victim of an attempted or completed rape, and 10% of sexual assault victims are men. (2004 National Crime Victimization Survey)

• In a 1995 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease control of 5,000 students at over 100 colleges, 20% of female college students or one in five answered “yes” to the question “In your lifetime have you been forced to submit to sexual intercourse against your will?” (Douglas, K. A. et al. (1997). Results from the 1995 National College Health Risk Behavior survey. Journal of American College Health, 46, 55-66.)

• A 1993 study in Alexandria, Egypt, found that 47% of female homicides were ‘honor' killings of the victim after she had been raped. (El Youssef New Presses, Cairo)

And that’s just rape…

Wurlitzer: If somebody is experiencing violence in their lives or know somebody, how can they get help?

CallieDel:

In the United States:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE

Internationally:For assistance in other countries, or if you would like to learn more about organizations working to stop violence against women, please visit the Anti-Violence Resource Guide a collaboration between V-Day and the women’s website, Feminist.com.

This comprehensive guide features a range of listings including emergency hotlines, national organizations against domestic violence, publications divided by topic, links to VAW websites and many other helpful resources.

Wurlitzer: Where can you go to stay in touch with Vday.org news?

CallieDel: http://newsite.vday.org/subscribe

Wurlitzer: How can one donate to Vday.org.

CallieDel: You may donate to a Donation Jar in Second Life or go directly to the website http://Vday.org . You may also send donations to BBAccountant Braveheart, my alt created specifically for the purpose of managing funds and thanking donors. (Thanks to ToryLynn and Ada for that idea).

Wurlitzer: Are there any merchandise that you can purchase to help support Vday.org?

CallieDel: I have made a bracelet as well as the Brilliant Blondes have made a Calendar, as I am new to building I am doing my best to provide some products by April, the official annual 11th V-day. You may also visit http://Vday.org and chose the Shop tab. There are things one can order there as well.

Wurlitzer: What are some recent press releases concerning Vday.org?

CallieDel: V-Day in partnership with UNICEF, organized two day-long events, "Women Breaking the Silence" as part of the joint global campaign: “Stop Raping Our Greatest Resource: Power to Women and Girls in Democratic Republic of Congo." The event featured for the first time in the history of the DRC survivors of sexual violence publicly speaking out against their rapes and the impact of violence on their lives. In front of authorities from the government of the DRC, the United Nations, various Embassies to the DRC, representatives from North Kivu civil society, and campaign activists, seven women told their stories of rape and issued a call to the world to put an end to the sexual violence that has afflicted hundreds of thousands of women and girls in the country.

Wurlitzer: What’s the worst news stories you've heard about lately concerning Vday.org safe houses?

CallieDel: Raids, being discovered, and the associated violence. This was information emailed several months ago. Forgive me if I am unable to remember the exact quote. For the most part, lack of funding may be the worst news, although most of it is positive. It's relative. A cot and food and no fear, or as my physician put it, "Simply existence in their eyes, no life." He often travels to such countries.

Wurlitzer: What has Vday.org done so far here in Second Life?

People from many areas of theatre, Including Lauren Weyland, ToryLynn Writer, Calliope Delgado, Ada Radius, and many more got together last year to perform monologues’ they wrote from personal experience called “In The Pink” this included Rekka Berchot who also opened her theatre in Ivy Falls for the benefit.. The group Brilliant Blondes made a Calendar for 2008 and sold it, all proceeds from the Calendar went to Vday.org and I managed to get together a benefit performance with Valeria Pera where donations from her concert also went to Vday.org.

Wurlitzer: What made you decide to start Vday.org in Second Life?

CallieDel: It was my theatre company, Act-Up and other associates with the arts.

Wurlitzer: What are your goals of events, and awareness for the future of Vday.org in Second Life?

CallieDel: I would like people to understand, this is not simply a matter of a slap in the face, it is a real problem that exists. I am told it doesn’t fall in the medical realm, much of which we know is supported here in Second Life, yet a 10 year old girl bleeding to death in 5 hours due to FGM is medical in my book, not to mention the mental and emotional effects on these women. I am speaking World Wide.

Wurlitzer: Why is a charity in SL hard to promote, or get volunteers?

CallieDel: I honestly think people don’t see it as a serious issue. Although I feel someone in your life may have had one of these experiences because of the nature most do not reveal that information. It's not the same as saying one has Cancer or any other disease I say this because it seems AIDS has more support and public awareness.

Wurlitzer: What is the feedback you have got from this project, and what would you like to improve on?

CallieDel: I’ve been told the Calendar is a personal, “ego” type thing, and that is not true, without the photography of Connie Sec, the help of the models this would have never been done. I never felt it was about me, I spent a year in treatment with 28 Women, 25 of whom had experienced everything from abuse and battery to incest and severe emotional lessons they were worth nothing, causing mental issues. I like to help and I was closest to this especially after my experience. 5 are dead now.

I would like to improve on this being a full team effort and am thrilled when someone asks to join the group, (being group limitations that is an honor) I would like to see the staff of Vday.org recognize a virtual presence offers to raise more awareness. I think if they become involved they have potential to reaching a group of people as interested to help as those already involved. Again, I am a volunteer, helping the best way I know how.

Wurlitzer: How do you go about promoting Vday.org in Second Life?

CallieDel: Fortunately last year I was involved as Public Relations for “In The Pink” and I try to stay in touch with everyone I met through that.

Wurlitzer: Do you plan to take the Virtual aspect of Vday.org further than Second Life?

CallieDel: If such a time comes when Vday.org sees the advantages to a virtual presence I would do anything in my power to assist Vday.org. At this time there are no plans to my knowledge. I am hoping the cast and crew of “In The Pink” performs again to celebrate V-day’s 11th Annual. I hope to be able to participate in that as well. As far as Vday.org itself there are no plans to my knowledge at this time.

Wurlitzer: What organizations do you volunteer for in RL?

CallieDel: I offer service work with various shelters and still stay in contact and help people within my support network. The last organization I assisted in raising funds for was The Center For Affordable Housing.

Wurlitzer: What can we do, to get more involved in RL with your work here in Second Life?

CallieDel: Place posters in your office let other women know there is help and raise awareness to those that can help. You’d be surprised how many of your employees in the USA alone already experience harassment and abuse in the office or at home despite corporation rules. I only speak of America, stay informed and join Vday.org mailing list. Even an occasional bake sale to raise awareness and funds would be fantastic!

SLEnquirer.com

Got News? Get It Published!

A Virtual World NewsSource

You are viewing the text version of this site.

To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.

Need help? check the requirements page.