April 23, 2020

by Diana Valle, MCRCC Advocate

Click to view "I Believe You" video message to survivors. 

I just moved to Monterey from San Diego 8 months ago, after I graduated from my Master's program and I acquired my very first professional job at CSU Monterey Bay.

While in grad school, I worked for UC San Diego's campus sexual assault resource center. They have a campaign where they promote the phrase, "Violence does not equal love in any language." They make promo materials, like buttons, with the phrase written in various languages. During outreach events, it felt wonderful to see students' faces light up when they'd say, "This is written in my language!"

Memories like those inspired me to make a similar video message to survivors during SAAM 2020. I went with the phrase "I believe you," because I believe these are some of the most important words someone can say to a survivor of sexual assault. My face and voice are represented in the first clip, with the English version. Other languages represented include Turkish, Mandarin Chinese, Assyrian, Marathi, Taiwanese, Tagalog, Farsi, and Spanish (in that order).

The women in the video proudly support the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center. Although they would like their names to remain anonymous, I think Monterey is so lucky to have such considerate, caring people in the community. 

P.S. The last woman in the video is my mom!