Like a twisted, ugly car wreck that’s impossible to ignore, a group of misogynist “pro-rape” men called the “Return of Kings” is planning a stunt Saturday, and — as much as I want to — I can’t look away.
The group, led by prolific blogger and self-proclaimed “pick-up artist” Roosh Valizadeh, is calling for its followers in cities around the world to meet at a coordinated time — in Chicago, such a meeting is set for 8 p.m. Saturday somewhere near the Loyola University campus in Rogers Park. Students, local residents and school and city officials have all expressed their displeasure. (Update: The Saturday events have reportedly been canceled, but this is still important information.)
Valizadeh, who says he’ll be hosting a similar gathering Saturday in Reykjavik, Iceland, may just be some kind of misguided social media performance artist, recklessly touting ideas without understanding their consequences. It’s certainly not a unique phenomenon in today’s media and political world, but I digress.
Rather than indulging the group’s ludicrous (or as one colleague said, “sad, pathetic and dangerous”) message, though, here is a list of resources that may help anyone encountering the sort of behavior Valizadeh seems to encourage. I hope this is as worthy of a “share” as the next Return of Kings meeting update.
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): The largest anti-sexual violence organization in the U.S. manages a national rape hotline that connects callers to trained staff members from sexual assault service providers in the caller’s area.
National hotline: 800.656.HOPE (4673) or www.rainn.org
Chicago’s rape crisis hotline:
Chicago metro area: 888-293-2080
More Top Picks Task Initiation Strategies For Adhd Adults
DuPage County: 630-971-3927
South suburbs: 708-748-5672
Need more support?
Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) describes itself as “an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the healing and empowerment of sexual assault survivors through non-judgmental crisis intervention counseling, individual and group counseling, and medical and legal advocacy in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. RVA provides public education and institutional advocacy in order to improve the treatment of sexual assault survivors and to effect positive change in policies and public attitudes toward sexual assault.”
www.rapevictimadvocates.org
Lara Weber is a member of the Tribune Editorial Board. The views expressed here are her own.