I wear red lips, because...

April is the month that I wear red lipstick every day.

Why?

For a campaign to raise awareness called Red My Lips. I support this global campaign that raises awareness about sexual violence and combats victim blaming.

I wear red lips, because when I was hitting puberty in fifth grade, I had an older man check out my ass. My step dad was furious and insisted that I no longer wear clothing that goes above my knees. I also wasn't allowed to wear any makeup. I had to change my appearance. It was not my fault and I was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because in high school my class went to New York City and a man grabbed my ass on the subway. It was not my fault and I was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because a girl I used to babysit, was assaulted by her step father that always creeped me out. It was not her fault and she was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because at my first job I tried to be friends with a guy. His family invited me to his birthday party. I was the only non family member there. I was his surprise birthday present. When I told him I wasn't interested in him romantically after he touched the small of my back at work one day, he went off on me. He stalked me. It was not my fault and I was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because at my next job an employee I was training asked me to dance for him and tried to follow me into the bathroom. It was not my fault and I was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because I know someone who was bullied. The bullies told him he was gay and held him down and shoved a stick up his butt. It was not his fault and he was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because working in health care means that my breast and ass will get grabbed. That I must accept inappropriate comments. I understand most aren't in their right mind, but their subconscious thinks I'm less. It is not my fault and I'm not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because on my first ever vacation, I got separated from my group after a night of drinking. I searched frantically for a safe area, not behind hotel rooms. I found the pool area and passed out on a patio chair. My phone had died. I woke up to a security officer with his tongue down my throat and his fingers inside me. I came to and shoved him off of me to roll over and vomit. I did not get a good look at him, I did not scratch him for identification, I vomited. I stumbled back to my room. Later that day when I met up with the others and told them what happened, they were slow to believe me. I tried to report it to this family resort. What if I hadn't woken up? The language barrier has me believing no justice was served. I am still scared of going places alone at night, and get anxiety around security. It was not my fault and I was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because I recently met a woman who had escaped sex trafficking. She feared for her life. It was not her fault and she was not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because I could go on and on with people I have crossed paths with in life. It is not their fault and they were not asking for it.

I wear red lips, because every 98 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. And every 8 minutes, that victim is a child. Meanwhile, only 6 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. Other statistics are just as sad.

I wear red lips, and it's hard. I normally don't wear lipstick. It is a very bold color against my pale skin. It gets everywhere. It doesn't stay pretty. However, every day I have to live with my past. Every day more are affected. This is a bold statement that needs made. The word needs spread. It isn't pretty. It needs fixed. Fault needs put on the right place. And the right questions need to be asked and answers need to be heard.

I wear red lips.

Will you join me?
Tomorrow?
This week?
This month?
Next year?

I will wear red lips until April showers bring word power. Red my lips. Read my lips, my words matter.