Join Our CALL TO ACTION Against Sexual Assault at SB City Hall
The Resource is deeply concerned and disturbed by the alleged sexual harassment reported this week by Jennifer Tomaszewski, the City of Santa Barbara's finance and treasury manager. The alleged behavior has no place in our city and, if true, must be ended and prevented moving forward.
We urge you to join us in signing and sending this letter to our Santa Barbara City Mayor and City Council Members.
Your signed letters should be sent to the following email:
SBCityCouncil@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
Please share and invite others to join us!
Noozhawk published a report of Ms. Tomaszewski's allegations and the ensuing lawsuit on June 2nd, followed by The Independent on June 8th. Click the links below to read these articles:
Noozhawk:
The Independent:
Coincidentally, last week's Resource Livestream from our Safe Spaces series shined a light on the issue of sexual assault. We discussed the issue of workplace authorities often misusing their positions of power to violate their employees and disparage them if they come forward, as experienced by one of the survivors on our panel. We also discussed the importance of BELIEVING a survivor when they come forward. Melissa, who shared her story on our panel, revealed the shocking truth of the disbelief and invalidation that many survivors face.
Melissa was attacked by a robber who entered her home. Threatening her with a butcher knife from her kitchen, he forced her into a closet, robbed her home, and raped Melissa on her own bed.
She reported the crime and sexual assault to the police, who matched the perpetrator to a known felon. However, the police told Melissa that they did not believe she was raped because the perpetrator did not have any prior convictions for sexual crimes. When her attacker was found and arrested (and in possession of her credit cards), Melissa was so relieved—not just because her attacker had been found, but even more because she felt the police would finally believe that she was raped.
They did not. The perpetrator was never charged.
Melissa, we believe you, just as we believe Jennifer, and the survivors on our Livestream panel. Please join us in telling Jennifer and survivors everywhere, "We Believe You!" and thank you for having the courage to come forward.
Click the link below to hear Melissa's story and be educated and empowered by our panel of experts and survivors who stand strong together.