Amanda Nguyen and Beverly Gooden discussed advocating for rights for survivors of sexual and domestic violence as part of the Wisconsin Union Directorate’s (WUD) Distinguished Lecture Series Monday evening.
The virtual conversation, presented over Facebook Live and YouTube Live, informed viewers of Nguyen and Gooden’s experiences raising awareness and how to advocate for and support those who have faced sexual and domestic violence.
Nguyen, a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is the founder and CEO of Rise, a legislative reform movement which works to empower citizens on how to put their rights into laws. Rise has helped pass 32 laws, including reforms on survivor rights and gun violence, since its founding in 2014.
“The worst thing that happened to me wasn’t being raped,” Nguyen said. “It was being betrayed by America’s justice system. I think a lot of people realize that even if we go to the police and do what we’re told, the system is in heavy need of reform.”
When Nguyen’s first bill concerning survivor rights in Massachusetts was up for a vote, she was notified before the hearing that the speaker was not going to bring up her proposal in discussion. She was discouraged from attending the hearing, and thought that the bill would not gain support without the mention of it in the hearing. She decided to still champion for her bill by visiting each senator and representative's office for 14 hours.
Her bill was passed unanimously.
“It isn’t over, and if you have a chance to fight for your rights, you can absolutely do it,” said Nguyen. “It is your constitutional right to.”
Gooden expanded the global conversation on victim’s rights advocacy by introducing the #WhyIStayed hashtag to stimulate discussions between survivors over social media and has appeared on Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNN, TIME and The Washington Post.
“I started to Tweet a few things about why I stayed and it turns out that a lot of people have that same story,” said Gooden. “From there I thought, what could I do that was tangible, what can I do to go offline with this activism? So my idea was to think about what was the most difficult part about leaving that relationship.”
Gooden recalled how when she faced domestic violence, she had a difficult time leaving her ex-husband because she did not have the resources to pack up and leave. So, she created the Bolt Bag Project to empower survivors with the tools they need to leave domestic violence situations by providing toiletries, first aid kits and other essentials.
“It was really difficult for me to make my bag,” Gooden said about when she first left her husband. “He never found it, but I didn’t want any other survivor to live that. I wanted there to be something that was just available to you if you need to get up and run.”
Nguyen and Gooden encourage people to continue to support those who are facing sexual and domestic violence and to advocate for reforms in how the criminal justice system deals with cases of sexual and domestic violence.
“Keep on organizing,” said Nguyen. “The story of change is a progress, is a shared story and no one is powerless when we come together and no one is invisible when we demand to be seen.”
Resources are available for those who face sexual and domestic violence. UHS offers a 24-hour crisis line which is 608-265-5600, option 9. The Rape Crisis Center 24-hour crisis line is 608-251-7272.
Gina Musso is a Senior Staff Writer at The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as College News Editor and Features Editor, focusing coverage around student government, campus COVID updates and in-depth reporting. Follow her on Twitter @gina__musso.
