The meaning of no
March 01st, 2021
With the onset of #MeToo and the backlash against sexual assault, it should be getting safer for women of all ages. Yet, the World Health Organization reports that one in three women will be sexually or physically assaulted in her lifetime. (These rates are very similar for non-binary people and other feminized people, too.)
What are young adults to do about what is clearly rape culture? Sarah Ratchford has published Fired Up about Consent (Between the Lines $19.95) to provide advice and information.
The guide is a practical, survivor-informed primer for young people who want to learn how to build joyful, mutually satisfying sex lives and relationships. Sarah Ratchford defines rape and sexual assault, busts the myths behind toothless messaging and outdated advice, and provides sex-positive scripts on how to ask for and offer a clear, enthusiastic, and freely given “Yes!” Along the way, Ratchford touches on #MeToo, gender identity, masturbation, virginity, porn, sex work, reporting assault, and more, all through a radically inclusive and intersectional lens.
Ratchford’s message: only with empathy, compassion and resistance can we move forward into a new culture of consent. 9781771133524
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Sarah Ratchford is a non-binary, feminist journalist with a focus on social justice. They cover sexual health and consent, reproductive justice, trans health, and feminist activism. Their essays, features and news stories have appeared in The Walrus, The Toronto Star, Chatelaine, Flare, Elle, Refinery29, and Cosmopolitan. They’ve hosted and produced a number of VICE documentaries on sex work law, trans health, and abortion access. Fired Up about Consent is their first book.
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The Fired Up series is for young people who want to know more about what to change and how to change it. Each book provides a short and concise look at the basics and gives readers of all ages the best reasons to get fired up and take action. The books are written by young activists from the frontlines of social justice movements. Past titles include Fired Up about Capitalism by Tom Malleson and Fired Up about Reproductive Rights by Jane Kirby.
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