Messages are often subtle, or simply accepted as normal in our conversations but if we begin to listen closely, truly break down the way we frame stories where people experience harassment or abuse, we can begin to see the patterns and make the connections between the way we think and the way we speak. VALOR (formerly the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) had a chance to speak with a few people who specialize in the role of language and its connection to sexual violence.

Jackson Katz, Maria La Ganga, and Matthew Baum walked us through person to person conversation, the way the media frames stories around sexual assault, and even how these stories actually set the tone and attitudes of an entire community.

When it comes to understanding the role we each have in creating more inclusive and safer communities, words matter. Language matters.