Dialogue Needed on Sexual Violence

To the Editor:

Thank you for publishing the fabulous article on Eve Ensler and V-Day (“Staging an End to Abuse,” April 19). Ms. Ensler’s movement-building approach is inspiring. You showed the impressive work she is doing to address violence against women — an issue that has received insufficient attention. The federal Violence Against Women Act and programs such as the Ms. Foundation’s Safety Program have started to bring about change, but more needs to be done.

What is missing in your article, though, is an understanding of the larger funding picture for advocacy on the issue of sexual violence. The high-profile nature of Ms. Ensler, The Vagina Monologues, and V-Day makes fund raising easier for them than for many of us. We need to bring all the organizations working in the trenches to prevent violence against women and children into the media spotlight. We need a broader dialogue about the problem of child sexual abuse and the challenge in finding funds to address it. We need those foundations that have begun to support the prevention of violence against women to recognize that a history of sexual abuse as a child makes one much more at risk for serious health problems, social distress, and further victimization later in life.

Fran Henry
President
Stop It Now!
Haydenville, Mass.