As a portrait photographer and someone that photographs a lot of models I see a different side of people one that many don’t see in one of those sides is the external facing side. One we all have and is very obvious to everyone.

What I mean by this is how we look to other people and how others perceive us by the way we look. This to some can mean many things and can stir up many emotions both good and bad. Personal parents and how someone represents themselves is ultimately their choice, they have the right to go along and wear whatever they feel is right for them. They have the right and the choice to go along and change their external facing side to match their internal facing side.

Women don’t wear lipstick for other people, they were lipstick for them it makes them feel good, and if it makes them feel good then they should do it.

How they dress and how they represent their external side does not mean they open to sexual violence, and it certainly doesn’t mean that anyone should think, do, or otherwise anything to them without them explicitly agreeing.

Violence is never the answer! Although us men are not the sole perpetrators of sexual violence and abuse we do have a moral responsibility to not only ensure the safety of those around us but also to educate and remove any thought that this type of behaviour is okay in our society.

I know there are men out there that actually think that sexual violence, intimidation and mental abuse is okay. My message to them is that it is not okay and there is no place in this or any other culture for those thoughts or behaviours.

Men that act and behave in this way are missing something the lives, they missing thought process that allows them to feel like men without the need to intimidate or show their authority over someone else. They need help. Serious help!!

The feeling of power that this gives them is only short lived and continuous and without positive change within those men and from the people around them it will continue.

While this campaign involves a lot of women I believe that it is the men that need to take charge of this. It is the men that need to stand up and say no it is not okay and is the real men that need to show leadership and courage to stand up and educate the males which think they are men!

Victims are not fools! They are victims! They victims because someone else decided to make them a victim they themselves did not choose that, so why is it that we blame them and shame them because of it?

Victims of sexual violence have a right to be protected and have a right to be heard! They should not be looked down as criminals or people that are responsible for the actions of others.

That stop shifting the blame and put it back where it belongs and that my friends is not on the victims!

Speaking out against sexual violence and victim blaming is something we can all do!

It’s not only up to the people that are directly affected by sexual violence to speak out, it’s up to all of us as community to take a stance and speak out.

Sexual violence in our community touches more lives and affects more people than you can imagine, and to shift the blame onto the victim creates a culture of secrecy. Victims don’t want stand up and be heard for the fear they will be ridiculed and be told it’s their fault.

I’m not sure about you but I can’t see how victim is at fault, but hey!!

Let’s make a change.