I spent any time with people from Sarcc, you probably heard us say the survivors never choose to experience sexual violence. They can choose how they heal from it art is privilege to be able to assist many survivors in our communities in this process.I spent any time with people from Sarcc, you probably heard us say the survivors never choose to experience sexual violence. They can choose how they heal from it Sarcc is privileged to be able to assist many survivors in our communities in this process. When we think about really solving the problem of sexual assault, we may need to change the way we talk about sexual assault.
Many times in our work educating the community or even talking with other systems about the experiences of survivors, we focus on the survivors. But this does though is it removes the actual person responsible for the violence from the conversation. What if instead of saying, “A survivor experience sexual assault,” we said, “A member of our community sexually assaulted this person.”
By my rate, this really changes the way we understand what happened. It helps us see who is responsible for the harm caused. It helps us remember that it is every day people in our community and most often commit his crimes of violence. It may even change the way we choose to tackle the problem.
Survivors will always be the drivers of the bus to their own healing at SARCC. Our work in the community can help us better see and understand the actions of those who perpetrated violence. Our long-term strategy has to focus on accountability and changing the behavior of those who cause harm. We see every day that healing is possible. From this, we know the changing behavior is also possible.
Highlights from this week at SARCC:
- Please help us spread the word about our SARCC o ween trauma informed movie night on 10/27 at 6 pm. This will be an LGBTQ Affirming space.
- All Hearts Are Welcome at SARCC tshirts are here and for sale in both men’s and women’s cuts. T-shirts are $15.
- SARCC is once again participating in the just detention international words of Hope project. We are distributing packs of cards for community members to complete to send warm wishes to incarcerated survivors of sexual violence. Due to time limitations following Covid restrictions and guidelines and prisons, JDI is requesting that these packets be returned one week earlier this year as in prior years. Our goal will be to complete all packets by the first week of November. To pick up packets of cards to complete, please stop by your office or email me if you need a drop off. This is a great volunteer activity for church groups or social circles.
- We are seeking a few volunteers to assist at YMCA trunk or treat event on Tuesday, October 25, and the Chamber’s networking and nonprofits tabling event on Wednesday, October 26. Please let me know if you can assist!
Resource of the Week: What is Sexual Violence?