Former NFL Player Launches Global Movement to Fight Sexual Assault Predators, Promote Institutional Accountability, and Unite Survivors

CHICAGO, October 14, 2022 (Newswire.com) - On Friday, Oct. 14, former NFL player Jon Vaughn will announce the launch of a groundbreaking new movement One Solidarity at The Foundation for Global Sports Development (GSD) ceremony where he is being honored with its prestigious Humanitarian Award. The former University of Michigan and NFL (New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers) running back, Jon Vaughn is one of more than 1,000 people, many of whom are Black men, who say they were sexually abused by U-M's former athletics team physician, Robert Anderson, during a time period spanning close to 40 years. Their claims have been supported by an independent report commissioned by the university in 2021. Vaughn camped out to protest in front of the University of Michigan's President residence to demand that the U-M administration acknowledge and address the Anderson allegations and sexual assault on campus.

PAVE Founder Angela Rose said, "The lack of response, compassion and empathy from the leadership of the University of Michigan is a travesty and sends a chilling message to all survivors on campuses across the country. The unimaginable harm caused by the crimes committed against Jon and countless other survivors by Dr. Anderson is exacerbated by the systems that protect the perpetrators and the establishment, actively conceal these abuses, gaslight survivors, and misdirect the public. Jon's powerful voice in our national movement deserves to be celebrated. He is a hero, a beacon of hope, and we couldn't be prouder to partner in shattering the silence of sexual violence."

One Solidarity is also launching in the wake of the appalling news about the US Soccer Federation's report of verbal and sexual abuse of student athletes.

"Jon Vaughn has displayed great courage in drawing attention to the damaging impact of sexual assault on athletes, as well as the prevalence of this abuse across the country," says Dr. Steven Ungerleider, GSD executive board member. "He is a worthy recipient of this award, and we applaud his tireless efforts to demand justice and change."

"I can't change what happened to me or the other survivor athletes at my university, but we aim to make this and every other campus safer today and in the future," said Vaughn. "We can shatter the silence about this dark issue plaguing us. This is a human problem that is sadly happening across the country. Coaches and medical staff are the most powerful and trusted people in a student athlete's life, and that trust continues to be abused. We invite you to join the One Solidarity movement to create needed change. We are an army of survivors unified and together, we will fight for victims' rights and to keep student athletes safe. I'm proud to partner with PAVE in this movement."

For more information, visit OneSolidarity.org. To donate and support this movement, please click here.

ABOUT PAVE

Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment (PAVE) is a national nonprofit that works to both prevent sexual assault and help survivors heal through advocacy, education, and survivor support. For over two decades, PAVE has trained hundreds of thousands of students, athletes, military service members, and maintains chapters across the world. PAVE has reached millions through social and traditional media, including NBC, CNN, & FOX. ShatteringTheSilence.org

Source: PAVE: Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment