Response Policy Statement

Domestic and sexual violence is an epidemic. 1 in 3 women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime and nearly 1 in 5 women have been raped in their lifetime.¹ We also recognize that domestic and sexual violence impacts other genders as well. 1 in 7 men over the age of 18 have reported being a victim of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime.¹ 30% to 60% of domestic violence perpetrators have also abused children in the household.² Domestic and sexual violence is a community issue that is pervasive and destructive.

Reaching Our Brothers Everywhere (ROBE) seeks to address the injustices faced by victims of violence and participate in creating a world without violence. Through our work, ROBE wants to transform our communities to create a future of equity and safety for all individuals. A future without domestic and sexual violence must include economic justice, racial justice, health equity, reproductive freedom, and personal independence. The relationships we build with our brothers and sisters are integral to a transformative future. Accountability to each other leads to achieving the goals of equity and safety for all.

With our visualization of a better future, ROBE looks to create a culture that is inclusive, values individuality, respects autonomy, and seeks change. Oppression, whether it is patriarchal, sexism, racism, heterosexism, or other forms of oppression, are not tolerated. Forms of oppression impedes our ability to meet our goals and lead to additional trauma for victims of violence.

Through our collective leadership, we will work to support members and engage the public in ending domestic and sexual violence. To do so, we must be engaging with victims, survivors, and their families to ensure their safety and healing. We demand accountability for abusive individuals but envision the inclusion of transformative justice as opposed to the criminal justice system. We also recognize that this work cannot be done in silos, thus we acknowledge the importance of community partners.