MAE | FESAI
F.R.I.E.S.
F.R.I.E.S: Finding Real Initatives to Empower Survivors. But what does it really mean?
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FRIES is comfort. FRIES is my go to. FRIES is my code word. When I was having one of those days, I would call a girlfriend and invite her to meet me for wine and fries - eating, laughing, sharing, all while helping me get through the most grueling time of my life. The combo special of fries and friends made me feel safe to talk about what I couldn't even talk about with myself. Now, I’m extending the invitation to you. Come meet me for F.R.I.E.S. and be unapologetically gluttonous in our truth together.
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" I told stories for a living. But there was one story I hid for 20 years. My own.
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Revealing it meant exploitation, loss of privacy, and revictimization, a compelling reason why many stay silent about domestic violence. Let's change the system to protect stories, because it's yours to tell, not theirs."
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- Mae Fesai
FRIES is aimed at proposing legislation for the immediate needs of Domestic Violence Survivors.
According to WomenOnGuard.com, nearly 23.04 people per minute face intimate partner violence annually in the United States, and 1 in 3 women have experienced physical violence with an intimate partner.
We seek to enhance privacy rights and prohibit the exploitation of testimonies from survivors of domestic violence, ensuring their safety and security.
FRIES endeavors to bolster economic empowerment for survivors, granting them greater access to vital resources that can aid in their recovery and contribute to their independence.
FRIES strives to standardize legal services on a county-by-county basis, ensuring that survivors have consistent access to the legal support they need, regardless of their location. By advocating for these essential changes, FRIES aims to create a more equitable and supportive environment for survivors of domestic violence, empowering them to reclaim their lives and autonomy.
So few cases are reported due to the punishment society inflicts on survivors for speaking their truth. The incident is punishment enough itself. Having to navigate that amongst ridicule, accusations, isolation from friends and family, and a breach of privacy is what women face when reporting their abuser publicly. The abuser may be forgiven, but the victims deserve to be listened to. They should not have to be suffocatingly questioned on their honesty.