Join the Red My Lips army

Anybody who knows me knows that I am one with my red lipstick. Unless I am in my PJs I have red lips.

This month, I joined the ‘Red My Lips’ army; united in raising awareness about sexual assault and victim blaming. 

I can't imagine being raped. It must be pure terror. The scary thing is, at times it seems I am in the minority having never gone through that.

On the night of April 28, 2011, Red My Lips founder, Danielle Tansino (then 29), was out with friends.  She was later raped by a childhood friend of her then housemate.  After filing a police report, and following a traumatic experience with the court system, she was told by a female district attorney that they would not prosecute because, "Jurors don't like girls that drink."  

In this moment, she realised it was not 'the system' that fails victims of sexual violence...we ALL do.  We ARE the system.  What was almost more shocking than this realisation was the response from friends and family who suggested that the attack was a mere 'misunderstanding,' or attempted to frame it as a natural consequence of 'not being careful enough.'  Many others refused to hear or talk about it at all.  

As a social worker, activist, and fighter for social justice, the silence and myths surrounding sexual violence fuelled an intense outrage...an outrage that erupted in December of 2012 with the creation of Red My Lips.  

(Above: Both necklaces Pichulik, yellow earrings Cliquefashion SA) 

It's not too late to join. Grab a red lippy and join us on social media. 

Facebook: redlipstick4acause
Twitter: @redmylipsorg #redmylips
Instagram: @redmylipsorg