SAN FRANCISCO — Good Vibes has partnered with with iconic nonprofit Bay Area Women Against Rape (BAWAR, which represents and serves all genders) to host four events through March and April.
“These highlight BAWAR’s crucial work and blend the two organizations’ strengths on behalf of survivors of sexual assault,” the company said. “We will focus on uplifting survivors to celebrate and reclaim pleasure, desire and intimacy on their terms!”
To launch Sexual Assault Awareness Month with awareness and education, BAWAR and Good Vibes will host a free meet-and-greet on March 27, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m., at the Good Vibrations Lakeshore store, located at 3219 Lakeshore Ave., in Oakland. The event will offer snacks and sips and the opportunity to meet staff members from BAWAR and Good Vibrations.
“BAWAR states that historically, this movement has been more focused on issues surrounding violence and less focused on including discussion of sex, sexual pleasure and sexual connection,” the company said. “Consequently it has not always validated the needs and/or practices of many communities, such as People of Color, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, sex workers and people who practice kink, polyamory and consensual non-monogamy. By centering our bodies, our pleasures and our desires as a potential site for healing, we engage in an act of reclamation that can prove integral to the process of transcending trauma. Sexual Assault Awareness Month Workshops: BAWAR and Good Vibrations present a Sex Ed for Survivors workshop series.”
On April 10, 17 and 24, from 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. at the Good Vibrations Polk Street store, located at 1620 Polk St., Good Vibes will host a three-part workshop series to be collaboratively facilitated by BAWAR and Good Vibes staff. Participants can attend all three, or each workshop can also be attended on its own. The workshop will deconstruct myths, blast apart biases, and invites, in an intersectional approach. It also will give attention to the ways the bodies of people who have experienced sexual violence may be impacted, both somatically and psychologically.
The BAWAR/Good Vibrations team will provide presentations, facilitate group discussions and give toy demos. Participants can participate in PG-rated exercises. The workshop series centers the experience of survivors; however, it is not necessary to identify as a survivor to participate.
While this is not group support or therapy, participants can contact BAWAR at bawar@bawar.org or call the BAWAR office at (510) 430-1298 for information and referrals to such support. For immediate emotional support, please utilize the 24-hour hotline at (510) 845–7273.
“Good Vibrations has had a longstanding relationship with BAWAR, providing donations and sex positivity trainings for their staff and advocates throughout the year,” said Andy Duran, Good Vibes’ educational outreach and affiliate manager. “It became clear that there aren’t a lot of resources designed to help support those who have experienced sexual assault in reclaiming pleasure and intimacy, both alone or with partners. This topic is incredible important, not just to us but to the communities we serve, and we knew more needed to be done. We are honored to offer this new workshop series!”
Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen, PhD, adds, “Working to serve a diverse customer base, Good Vibrations staff often meet survivors of sexual assault or trauma. This is a significant source of sexual distress and problems. We are so very glad to offer this resource for Sexual Assault Awareness Month that is designed to give people access to pleasure and support.”
Good Vibrations frequently supports nonprofits that address sexual assault and trauma. Last quarter Good Vibes’ GiVe program raised funds for San Francisco Women Against Rape and Boston Area Rape Crisis Center.
Additionally, for every copy of “The Sex & Pleasure Book: Good Vibrations Guide to Great Sex for Everyone” (authored by Carol Queen with Shar Rednour) sold during April, Good Vibrations will donate $5 directly to BAWAR.
