PAVE HOLLYWOOD STANDS UP AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE IN WAKE OF SPACEY, WEINSTEIN ALLEGATIONS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NOVEMBER 8, 2017

***MEDIA ADVISORY***
PAVE HOLLYWOOD STANDS UP AGAINST SEXUAL ABUSE IN WAKE OF SPACEY, WEINSTEIN ALLEGATIONS
“THERE IS NO SHAME IN BEING A SURVIVOR.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – To date, 13 men have come forward to allege Kevin Spacey sexually harassed, assaulted or attempted to rape them. Five accusers say they were teens at the time. This tragic news comes on the heels of the crushing, heartbreaking Harvey Weinstein allegations of the same nature. The two high profile cases have inspired sexual assault survivors across the country to shatter their silence.

Angela Rose executive director of PAVE (Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment) and leader of the PAVEHollywood initiative says, “We applaud the bravery of these survivors to speak out and shatter the silence about emotional and sexual abuse. It’s a travesty that these entertainers feel pressured to keep their assaults quiet for fear of jeopardizing their careers and personal safety. We stand by the men and women of Hollywood who are starting this important conversation about abuse of power in the workplace. Nobody should feel shamed into silence.”

See the complete list of Kevin Spacey’s 13 accusers in USA Today here: Kevin Spacey scandal: A complete list of the 13 accusers and PEOPLE Celebrity compiled a list of all of the Hollywood figures who’ve spoken out against Harvey Weinstein here: All of the People Who’ve Spoken Out Against Harvey Weinstein.

PAVE Ambassador, Hollywood stuntman, and ‘American Ninja Warrior’ Flip Rodriguez who shared his personal sexual abuse story in June this year, says, “As a male survivor, I applaud the men who have shattered the silence of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood. It’s time to make the uncomfortable comfortable to talk about because there is no shame in being a survivor.”

Rose added, “Although these crimes in Hollywood are making headlines now, it’s crucial to note that abuse of power and sexual misconduct are happening in towns across America. The time is now to change the culture and make respect and consent the norm.” PAVE’s innovative youth education programming engages young men and women to be a part of the solution.

PAVEHollywood works to educate and empower members of the entertainment industry to shatter the silence and prevent sexual violence. Producers, directors, casting professionals, talent agents and studio executives have come together to take a stand against sexual assault and make a difference in their community.

In 2015, amidst the allegations of Bill Cosby’s sexual assault, Angela Rose and PAVE spearheaded the campaign to revoke the comedian’s Medal of Freedom with a White House petition that was addressed directly by President Obama. PAVE’s mission is to empower survivors of sexual assault to thrive after trauma. PAVE also works with students and schools around the United States to spread the message about the definition of consent.

Angela Rose, PAVE’s founder, has her own remarkable story of surviving kidnapping and sexual assault that was featured on 48 hours and the Oprah Winfrey Network. Angela has been featured on Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, CBS This Morning, Fox News, MSNBC and CNN. She was invited to the White House’s launch of the It’s On Us Campaign following her contributions with former Vice President Joe Biden to The White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault, helped launch Congresswoman Annie Kuster’s Bipartisan Taskforce to end sexual violence. Last year Angela was invited to speak at the 2016 United State of Women Summit hosted by the White House.

Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment (PAVE) is a multi-chapter national 501c3 nonprofit that works to prevent sexual assault and heal survivors through social advocacy, education, and victim support. www.ShatteringTheSilence.org

###

For more information or to schedule an interview with Angela or Flip, please contact vanessa@javelindc.com.