[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H6075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TIPS FOR PREVENTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Missouri (Ms. Bush) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BUSH. Mr. Speaker, St. Louis and I rise, many of us being 
survivors of sexual harassment and violence, because we are tired of 
victim blaming. We are tired of being told that if we had just done 
this or done that it wouldn't have happened to us. We are tired of 
being told to feel guilty about what we wore or what we said. We are 
tired of our truth being dismissed.
  Today, I rise to change the narrative and give some tips instead for 
how to prevent sexual violence. So let's talk about it.
  If you are thinking about putting drugs in someone's drink, don't.
  If you can't keep yourself from committing sexual assault, always 
have a trusted friend by your side to stop you from committing sexual 
assault.
  If you encounter someone who is drunk, unconscious or asleep, do not 
commit sexual assault against that person.
  If you see someone walking by themselves, just leave them alone.
  If you are worried about committing sexual assault, make sure you 
wear something that will remind you not to, like a sign or a sticker.
  If you think you might commit sexual assault, always carry a whistle. 
When you find yourself about to commit sexual assault, blow the whistle 
until someone else stops you.
  To every survivor of sexual violence, know that no matter how hard 
the media or your peers or your family or others try to make you feel 
that what happened to you was your fault, it was not.
  Hear me when I say this: It was not your fault.
  Know that your congresswoman is working every day to build a world 
where sexual violence no longer exists, a world where survivors are 
protected, where we have access to the care that we need, which 
includes abortion care, a world where the instinct to blame the 
survivors is replaced with one to provide healing and care.
  Know that in this moment that I love you and that there are others 
who love you and want to make sure you are healthy, and you are 
protected. We see you. We hear you. We love you.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the advocates for giving us all these great 
tips.

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