Pandora's Aquarium: Wording on the home page - Pandora's Aquarium

Jump to content

Welcome to Pandora's Aquarium, a rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse survivor message board and chat room.
If you've been a victim of any type of sexual violence, you belong here. What you see below represents just a fraction of the resources and survivor support available. Register now to join our community and take full advantage of what this online support group has to offer you as you heal and recover, or sign in to remove this message.

You are not alone, we can support you as you heal, and you've made an important step toward recovery by reaching out. If you are unable to register or have any questions, please contact the staff or view our home page.

Guest Message © 2013 DevFuse

Public forum notice

Please note that this is a public forum open to guests. Your username, the content of your posts, and your homepage (if applicable) will be viewable by non-registered guests. Your signature, profile, and contact info (including email and messenger screennames) will be viewable ONLY by registered members. If you want to contact a moderator privately, click here for information.
Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

Wording on the home page Does it have to say "victim"?

#1 User is offline   MelK 

  • Grrr
  • View blog
  • Group: Member
  • Posts: 2,580
  • Joined: 24-January 10

Posted 21 May 2010 - 11:27 AM

Every time I come to pandys, I notice the wording on the Aquarium homepage, which says "If you've been a victim of any type of sexual violence, you belong here."

Does this have to say "victim"? I thought we were trying to get away from that word. Couldn't it say "If you've experienced any type of sexual violence, you belong here."?

Everything else about pandys is so great, and empowering, and supportive. Could this be changed to bring it in line?

#2 User is offline   tricky45 

  • Group: Member
  • Posts: 1,593
  • Joined: 05-May 07

Posted 21 May 2010 - 11:35 AM

Here here, I totally agree, especially if you look at where the origin of the word victim comes from!!! :yay:/> :yay:/> :yay:/>

View PostMelK, on 21 May 2010 - 11:27 AM, said:

Every time I come to pandys, I notice the wording on the Aquarium homepage, which says "If you've been a victim of any type of sexual violence, you belong here."

Does this have to say "victim"? I thought we were trying to get away from that word. Couldn't it say "If you've experienced any type of sexual violence, you belong here."?

Everything else about pandys is so great, and empowering, and supportive. Could this be changed to bring it in line?

#3 User is offline   Kristy 

  • View gallery
  • Group: Contributing Member
  • Posts: 13,077
  • Joined: 12-September 04

Posted 22 May 2010 - 07:41 PM

Hi MelK (and tricky!),

Thanks for sharing your concerns. We do understand that the word victim can seem disempowering to some and we do attempt to use the word survivor more frequently than we do victim. However, we elected to use the word victim early on to optimize our page to be located by search engines - many people who are looking for us seem to use the word victim. In addition, we don't think that the word needs to be avoided entirely. At one point, each one of us was victimized - control was taken from us and acknowledging that can be a very important part of the healing process.

Again, thank you for writing us. We hope our explanation has clarified our word choice.
Take care,
Kristy and the Moderating Team

#4 User is offline   Shannon 

  • I am as radiant as the sun.
  • View blog
  • View gallery
  • Group: Administrator
  • Posts: 19,160
  • Joined: 22-December 01

Posted 22 May 2010 - 09:58 PM

What Kristy said is just right - a lot of people who are recovering from sexual violence search the internet using the word victim. We want those survivors to find Pandy's and by including that word, we can assure that they will get the support they need :)/>

Shannon

#5 User is offline   MelK 

  • Grrr
  • View blog
  • Group: Member
  • Posts: 2,580
  • Joined: 24-January 10

Posted 23 May 2010 - 01:49 AM

Oh OK, the thing about the search engines makes sense and I want other people to be able to find pandys too.

Thanks for explaining.

Mel

Share this topic:


Page 1 of 1
  • You cannot start a new topic
  • You cannot reply to this topic

Pandora's Aquarium, Inc. is not intended to be a substitute for professional assistance. All members and visitors are encouraged to establish a relationship with a trained counselor, therapist, or psychiatrist. Pandora's Aquarium, Inc. offers rape and sexual abuse survivor-to-survivor support only. Despite any qualifications staff or members possess, they are not engaged in a professional relationship with any other member. Survivors in crisis are urged to seek local help by contacting 911 or their local rape crisis center. Use of this website constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Service located here.