Support

by Cindy Gretchen Ovenrack Crabb

In a time when sexual assault and abuse are an increasing problem; even in so-called radical and punk communities, and when most women have been sexually abused in one way or another, Cindy Crabb (Doris Zine) brings us a document showing ways to prevent sexual violence and support survivors of sexual abuse. The zine helps to define consent, some letters that Cindy has received, listening, talking about sex, power dynamics, comics by Fly, and much more! A crucial resource that reads much like a regular issue of Doris.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Mental Health, Relationships, Self Help, Queer, Gender and Sexuality

64 pages, Pamphlet

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Hallo Weena · Rating 5 out of 5]

My sponsor recommended this zine to me, after having several other people recommend it over the years.

Reading this zine took me a while, because its really heavy subject is hard to endure. This zine made me cry, laugh, gave me headaches, put me to sleep-it really made me feel. So please, be nice to yourself and DO NOT RUSH THROUGH! If your body starts giving off an uncomfortable response, shut the zine!

I know its hard, but it's worth it. I learned a lot about the assaults I've lived through, how consent can be established in multiple comfortable ways, and a lot about myself. I hope this zine helps you, or a friend.

[Maggie Gordon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This zine-turned book is a good compilation of ideas of how to support survivors. However, it is a bit too zine-y for my taste. The articles don't have a particular flow, and some are hard to read because of formatting. I would love to see this cleaned up, expanded, and released as a larger volume.

[Micah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zine: http://www.phillyspissed.net/sites/de...

It's been a long time since I revisited how I deal with consent, especially sexual consent.

I date plenty of folks who don't have an extensive sexual background, or who date normies with no consent training, or who date people who just aren't comfortable talking about and during sex. I think I used to be that way, though it was a long time ago, back when I believed that a partner would fix me, would know just what to do so I didn't have to communicate my needs/wants/fears. I barely remember being that person. And now I talk all the time about sex. And dating these people they're always so surprised, they tell me it's different (hopefully better) than they're used to, which is all nice, but it doesn't mean I'm actually good at it. The bar is so low that any kind of effort looks remarkable.

This zine reminded me of all the shit I need to work on, all the traumas my friends and sweethearts have that I don't know about, the traumas and lack of traumas I'm dealing with internally. Every other page I would get angry and sad that it's not required reading in public schools, in anarchist circles, in social situations that involve any kind of touch, that it took me this long to get to it.

I'd never read any of the Doris zines before this, now that I have I totally get it.

Five stars, would aggressively recommend to anyone within earshot.

[butterbook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked: I really appreciated seeing all this shit talked about in a de-intellectualized way. Particularly good were the sections about defining consent, tutorial on 'active listening' and personal stories about different people's process of recovering from sexual abuse or trying to be supportive to those recovering from sexual abuse. Even if you have never experienced abuse, even if you don't think you know anyone who has experienced abuse (p.s. you do, you just may not know it), read this zine. . Description borrowed from Microcosm Publishing: In a time when sexual assault and abuse are an increasing problem; even in so-called radical and punk communities, and when most women have been sexually abused in one way or another, Cindy Crabb (Doris Zine) brings us a document showing ways to prevent sexual violence and support survivors of sexual abuse. The zine helps to define consent, some letters that Cindy has received, listening, talking about sex, power dynamics, comics by Fly, and much more! A crucial resource that reads much like a regular issue of Doris.

[Tinea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the zine I most often recommend.

It is for people who have survived assault and abuse, and for people who know or will know a survivor. That's all of us.

Please read this, it'll make you a better lover, stronger friend, and help you heal.

[Clio · Rating 5 out of 5]

this zine was recommended to me by a date and it totally changed how I was approaching being an ally to other survivors. I would advise anyone to read it in a heartbeat, though it may be tough on the eyes there is some small small type up in there.

[Barnacle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have used this zine countless times, passed it on to friends, and even used it to make packets for a skillshare/discussion group I did years back.

I love it!!!!!!

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

so helpful and needed

[Tyler · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A GREAT ZINE! That is all.

[Popcorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the most helpful and important zine/book I've found on supporting survivors. I would recommend it to absolutely everyone.

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book opened my eyes, in very crucial ways.

[REO Bookwagon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought it a few years ago.

[Kater · Rating 5 out of 5]

VERY IMPORTANT SHIT TO READ AND TALK ABOUT OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER.