April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), an annual campaign to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it. Good Vibrations is very proud to collaborate with iconic nonprofit Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR) by hosting four events to highlight their crucial work and blending the two organizations’ strengths on behalf of survivors of sexual assault, focusing on uplifting survivors to celebrate and reclaim pleasure, desire and intimacy on their terms!
To launch this month of awareness and education, BAWAR and Good Vibes will host a free Meet and Greet on March 27th, 6:30pm-8:30pm, at the Good Vibrations Lakeshore store (3219 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland, CA 94610). Enjoy snacks and sips and meet staff members from BAWAR and Good Vibrations. Peruse SAAM workshop content and materials, meet the facilitators, ask questions, RSVP, and celebrate a pleasure-based approach in the anti-sexual violence movement!
Historically, this movement has been more focused on issues surrounding violence and less focused on including discussion of sex, sexual pleasure and sexual connection, and has not always validated the needs and/or practices of many communities, such as People of Color, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, sex workers and people who practice kink, polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. By centering our bodies, our pleasures and our desires as a potential site for healing, we engage in an act of reclamation that can prove integral to the process of transcending trauma.
Sexual Assault Awareness Month Workshops: BAWAR and Good Vibrations present a Sex Ed for Survivors* workshop series.
On April 10th, 17th & 24th, from 6pm-8:30pm at the Good Vibrations Polk St. store (1620 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109) we host a three-part workshop series to be collaboratively facilitated by BAWAR and Good Vibes staff. Participants are encouraged to attend all three, though each workshop can be attended on its own. Experience a different kind of sex education that deconstructs myths, blasts apart biases, and invites in a truly intersectional approach, with attention to the ways the bodies of people who have experienced sexual violence may be impacted, both somatically and psychologically. While these are not intensives, participants should expect to leave with introductory-to-intermediate level information, exercises and ideas.
The BAWAR/Good Vibrations team will provide presentations, facilitate group discussions and give toy demos. Participants will be invited to participate in PG- rated exercises (no touching, exposure or disclosure required!) and will ALWAYS be given the option to step out if they need some space. This workshop series centers the experience of survivors; however, it is not necessary to identify as a survivor to participate.
The individual workshop descriptions are below. While this is not group support or therapy, participants can contact BAWAR at bawar@bawar.org or call the BAWAR office at 510-430-1298 for information and referrals to such support. For immediate emotional support, please utilize the 24-hour hotline at (510) 845–7273.
*The word ‘survivor’ is being used here as shorthand to denote individuals who have experienced sexual assault. It should be noted, however, that not all who have been impacted by sexual violence identify with this word.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite; attend one class or all three. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Two pricing options are built into these RSVP pages: a $10 entry fee for those who can afford it, and free admission for those who need that option.
Educational Outreach & Affiliate Manager Andy Duran says, “Good Vibrations has had a longstanding relationship with BAWAR, providing donations and sex positivity trainings for their staff and advocates throughout the year. It became clear that there aren’t a lot of resources designed to help support those who have experienced sexual assault in reclaiming pleasure and intimacy, both alone or with partners. This topic is incredible important, not just to us but to the communities we serve, and we knew more needed to be done. We are honored to offer this new workshop series!”
Good Vibrations Staff Sexologist Carol Queen adds, “Working to serve a diverse customer base, Good Vibrations staff often meet survivors of sexual assault or trauma; this is a significant source of sexual distress and problems. We are so very glad to offer this resource designed to give people access to pleasure and support.”
