Women Deserve to be Respected and Protected

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CW: Mention of sexual harassment and assault (including rape). Many of us have been dealing with gender-based violence in both our personal and professional lives for as long as we can remember. From the pervert in the library exposing himself to a young child, to the college rugby players who spike your drink and rape you, to the boss or co-worker who feels empowered to comment on your body in a professional setting. Most gender-based violence requires a power dynamic between the perpetrator and the victim, and the successful perpetrator needs his victim to be isolated and silent, so he can continue to get away with it. We can only break the pattern by speaking out and naming it. The goal of this blog is to compile resources to bring support to all survivors. By identifying different types of support we hope to help more women recognize when they are experiencing gender-based violence. It can often be insidious, and we are blamed and isolated, and ashamed. By speaking our truth, we hope to help our sisters escape the bonds of all forms of gender-based violence so that we can walk safely in the world, be our genuine selves, and thrive.  [video width="640" height="640" mp4="https://womeninsciencepdx.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/video-2619729.mp4"][/video] Gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence are just as pervasive in science fields, if not more. We have witnessed this as a community as the details of multiple incidents of sexual assault perpetrated by doctors at OHSU have come to light and have resulted in a lawsuit against individuals/leaders within the university. The details accounted for in the lawsuit are disturbing, but for many, not surprising. They paint a picture of a culture tolerant of discrimination and harassment, and one that fails to protect those that are victimized. Earlier this month, WIS PDX sent a letter to the OHSU President and to the OHSU board calling for accountability for their failings to protect the survivor/plaintiff of the lawsuit, as well as the countless other women who have been victim of this culture and have not received justice. We have received the response from OHSU’s president Dr. Daniel Jacobs:An email response from Dr. Danny Jacobs - President, OHSU to WIS While the university acknowledges the importance of accountability in the letter, it fails to claim its responsibility for this particular matter. Further, the university makes no mention as to what holding itself responsible means in terms of tangible actions that will serve to protect current and future OHSU employees and students. Instead, in response to these allegations, OHSU has hired Covington & Burling LLP to “examine [OHSU’s] institutional workplace environment related to sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation and racism.” As part of their investigation, Covington & Burling LLP are seeking personal accounts “if you have experienced, witnessed or have been impacted by harassment, discrimination, retaliation or racism at OHSU, or if you have any relevant information to convey.” Although we share many of your concerns and doubts about the potential of this investigation to radically change the culture at OHSU, we encourage our community to see this as an opportunity to make your voice heard. You can submit your experience directly to this investigators by:Email: ohsu@cov.comVoicemail: 212-841-1091U.S. MailOHSU InvestigationCovington & Burling LLP620 Eighth AvenueNew York, NY 10018WIS PDX is committed to supporting the community throughout this traumatic time in all ways that we can. If you would prefer for WIS PDX to submit your experience anonymously (or if you would like WIS PDX to keep a record of your submission), please fill out this survey. With each submitter’s consent, WIS PDX will also be compiling these stories to share with our community and any other party to make sure they are heard. We also want to offer support to any individual who needs it through this process. You are not alone and you do not have to traverse this alone.We recognize that this problem is much bigger and affects many more than just those at OHSU. WIS PDX became involved in this case in particular because so many of our members work (or have worked) at OHSU (as one of the biggest employers in Oregon) and it is the place where WIS began as an organization. But these problems are not isolated to OHSU by any means. Gender-based discrimination, harassment, and violence can be traumatic and damaging for survivors, to say the least, they also ultimately drive women from STEM fields. WIS PDX is committed to fighting these systems of oppression that prevent women from succeeding in STEM (and elsewhere). To hear more about the case and OHSU and the reactions from women in the WIS community, listen to our WISterhood Podcast, Episode 11: Seeing Our Anger and Frustration As Hope[video width="640" height="640" mp4="https://womeninsciencepdx.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/video-2619718.mp4"][/video] If you have experienced gender-based violence and require professional support or need more information about your rights or resources, please utilize the resources below. Crisis hotlines:

  • Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN):
  • The Anti-Violence Project (LGBTQ, HIV+, Spanish-Speaking Survivors):
    • 212-714-1141
    • Staffed by trained volunteers and our professional counselor/advocates to offer support to LGBTQ & HIV-affected victims and survivors of any type of violence.
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline:
    • 1-800-799-7233
    • Live chat
    • Deaf services video phone: 855.812.1001
    • Native survivors: 1-844-762-8483
  • 1in6 (male-identifying survivors): Online support line

PDX-based organizations working around gender-based violence:

Shelters in PDX

 Ted Talk about domestic violence Racism and sexual violence infoBlack women and sexual violence

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