First-Ever Prisoner Rape Survivor Summit : Los Angeles!

[Joanne98]

Los Angeles:
First-Ever Prisoner Rape Survivor Summit

LOS ANGELES, February 13, 2007 – Stop Prisoner Rape (SPR), a national
human rights organization dedicated to ending sexual violence in
detention, is proud to host the first-ever Prisoner Rape Survivor
Summit, in Los Angeles on February 16-17, 2007. Former inmates from
across the country, all of whom endured devastating abuse while
incarcerated, will gather to share their stories and to develop a
unique
set of policy recommendations for the prevention of this type of
violence.

“These brave men and women define what it means to be a survivor,” said
Lovisa Stannow, Co-Executive Director of SPR. “They have suffered
unspeakable pain, but instead of being silenced by their trauma they
are
transforming themselves into advocates, speaking out in the hope of
protecting others.”

Since the passage of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003,
SPR
has worked hard to ensure that survivors of rape behind bars are able
to
contribute to the meaningful implementation of the law. At the Survivor
Summit, participants will develop detailed recommendations for ending
prisoner rape, which will be submitted directly to the National Prison
Rape Elimination Commission. The Commission is currently drafting
national standards for addressing sexual violence in detention and has
assured SPR that the survivor recommendations will be taken into
account
in that process.

“The only way I can imagine turning what happened to me into something
positive is to make America’s prisons safer,” said Garrett Cunningham,
who was raped by a corrections official in a Texas state prison. “As
survivors, we know first-hand about the horrors of prisoner rape. We
have perspectives and insights that no psychologist, academic or
government official can provide.”

In addition to developing policy recommendations, Survivor Summit
participants will have the opportunity to hone their public speaking
and
advocacy skills. Through group sessions led by mental health experts,
participants will also get to tell their stories, hear about the
experiences of fellow survivors, and explore as a group the challenges
and opportunities they have identified in their efforts to heal.

###

For more information about the Survivor Summit, or to speak with a
summit participant, please contact Amber Durfield at 213.384.1400 x 102
or [e-mail].

[ThomCat]

1. I wish this would get more coverage.

I hope they have an impact.

[Joanne98]

2. Me too. It's their first one ever. What brave people. I'm going to

make sure it's posted here tommorrow.