Back To School With the RRC

Each year, millions of youth, from kindergarten to college, will go back to school. According to the American Association of University Women (AAUW), almost half of middle and high school students reported being sexually harassed at least once within a school  year. It’s important that all students are able to have a safe and healthy school environment. Whether you're a freshman in college or a parent of a kindergartener, we know that sexual violence is a difficult topic to address. Which is why we want to make sure that you have the resources that you need!

Here are some helpful things that all students, parents and educators can do to start this process in their schools and homes:

1. Talk About it! A lot of people don't want to talk about sexual violence, consent, or healthy relationships and that's understandable; but unfortunately, if we can’t talk about it, we can’t address it. Start the conversation, no matter the age. If you need support to do so the RRC education team can hold workshop for your school or group.

2. Know your rights and resources. Every student from early education to higher education has the right to access and thrive in their education. These rights are protected under Title IX and other national and statewide policies. Find out who is your school Title IX coordinator or liason (every school has to have one) and, if needed, our advocates can help guide you along the way. You can read more about Title IX, the Clery Act and look up all coordinators for campuses in Utah here. 

3. Learn and practice consent. We often hear that consent is simple, however, that isn’t always the case. Learn what consent is and practice holding yourself and others accountable to respecting boundaries. Planned Parenthood has a helpful model based around FRIES or that consent is freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic and specific. 

4. Be an upstander! The “bystander effect” says that people are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. It’s important that we all learn how intervene as bystanders and also stop violence from happening whenever possible. You can request an Upstander Training from the Utah Department of Health here.

5. Know when to ask for help. You can't do it all and there will be situations where you will need to ask for help. If in doubt contact our confidential crisis line at (801) 467-7273. 

We wish everyone a safe and happy school year! 

RRC is now a Google Fiber Community Connection

Left to Right: State Representative Angela Romero, Jacob Brace (Community Impact Manager, Google Fiber), Shireen Ghorbani (Board Chair, Rape Recovery Center), Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, and Mara Haight (Executive Director, Rape Recovery Center). 

The Rape Recovery Center is excited to announce that we are Salt Lake City’s third Google Fiber Community Connection, bringing super fast Internet to our clients, volunteers and staff! In addition to receiving Google Fiber’s fastest Internet service, the RRC is now equipped with devices and an improved network for clients to privately research resources and information, like accessing the Sexual Assault Kit Tracking System offered online by the Utah Department of Public Safety. We also developed child care resources for clients, thanks to Google Fiber’s additional support of resources that enabled our center to have a Smart TV and Chromebooks that allow our volunteers to offer digital literacy, educational games and entertainment while their parents seek our services.

“The Rape Recovery Center is honored to offer our clients, staff and volunteers the power of technology as a Community Connection. During this inspiring time when more survivors than ever are finding courage to come forward, many feeling empowered by online spaces and resources, we are proud to partner with Google Fiber to provide this tool for survivors in our community!​”

— Morgan Stinson, Rape Recovery Center

We celebrated this new partnership by inviting the community to a launch event, hosted at the center on August 21, 2018. We were thrilled to share the afternoon with the Google Fiber team, and several of our key allies including Representative Angela Romero and Mayor Jackie Biskupski.

We heard comments from Jacob Brace, Google Fiber's Community Impact Manager, who highlighted the incredible work of Google's Salt Lake City Community Connections. These include the YWCA, the International Rescue Committee, and the Rape Recovery Center. 

Rape Recovery Center Executive Director Mara Haight shared the exciting new opportunities for healing and empowerment the partnership with Google Fiber provides the center and our clients. Mara shared "This is what true empowerment looks like - giving survivors the access they need to find information, support, and healing on their own terms." 

Representative Angela Romero speaks at the Rape Recovery Center's Google Fiber Community Connection celebration 

Finally, Representative Angela Romero shared comments about the intersections between technology and policy. Representative Romero highlighted how her recently passed legislation, HB 200, supports a web-based tracking system for sexual assault kits and electronic training resources for law enforcement. These measures aim to improve transparency, accountability, and enhance trauma-informed care within the criminal justice system for survivors of sexual violence.  "I just want to thank Google Fiber for supporting non-profits like the Rape Recovery Center. A lot of people don't feel comfortable going through this process alone...the support of Google Fiber and the resources at the Rape Recovery Center give people the opportunity to heal." 

Survivors are encouraged to stop by the Rape Recovery Center any time during our regular business hours to utilize the technology provided by Google Fiber. The center provides a safe environment for you to check the status of your recently submitted rape kit, connect with other survivors online, and use the internet to find the resources and support you need in your healing journey. 

 

RRC Welcomes a New Front Office Staff

The Rape Recovery Center is thrilled to announce the addition of Shenia Sellers to our staff. Shenia has been hired into the role of Administrative Assistant, and will be the first face you see when you visit the center. Shenia will answer the agency phone, greet visitors, and help us keep the office running smoothly. Learn more about Shenia below!

Shenia was born in Mexico, raised in Arizona and lived in Hawaii as she finished her BA in International Cultural Studies, emphasizing in Anthropology and Communication. Her work experience is diverse having a background in customer service, accounts payable and receivable, and administrative experience in corporate and academic setting, as well as working with executive level management. She is passionate about social justice issues affecting women, undocumented immigrants, minorities, and gender equality.

In her free time Shenia likes to spend time with her husband, family, and friends eating and hanging out. She also like to glamp, paint, craft, watch Netflix, listen to podcasts, play board games, and read horror movie plots so she doesn’t have to watch the actual movies. She’s enjoys wellness and learning new self care and self love routines.

Join our Hospital Response Team!

We are excited to announce that the Rape Recovery Center is looking for several individuals to join our Hospital Response Team. You can view the details of this job opportunity here, and read on to learn more about our Hospital Response Team. 

24 hours a day, 7 days a week our Hospital Response Team Advocates respond to calls from Salt Lake County hospitals to provide resources, support, and information to survivors. Our team of advocates accompany survivors during their forensic exam, also known as a "rape kit." This process can take anywhere from 3-6 hours, and our Advocates are there for the whole exam to provide support. 

With a record number of individuals coming forward to report their experiences of sexual violence, we need compassionate and dedicated individuals who can help us ensure that every survivor has access to supportive services during their forensic exam. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Troy Koltermann

The Rape Recovery Center (RRC) could not do the work we do without our incredible volunteers. In 2017 the 117 individuals on our volunteer force provided 11,938 hours of service, a value of $143,246! One of the fabulous individuals on our volunteer team is Troy Koltermann, who is a volunteer on our Outreach & Access Team. Troy can be found representing the Rape Recovery Center at events across Salt Lake County, spreading the word about the work we do. Troy is also a professional photographer, and has donated his services to the RRC for special events. Read more about Troy and his experience at the center below!

What motivated you to become a volunteer at the Rape Recovery Center? When I first started volunteering at the Rape Recovery Center it was about 6 months after I had finished training with the Department of Defense and became a certified Sexual Assault Advocate.  It was my first real experience outside of the bubble I was living in at the time and was able to see really how much work needed to be done.  I felt like all the the training that I went trough would be for nothing if I couldn't do more to help make a difference.  I researched places that I could volunteer my time with an organization that I felt was making a difference and that lead me to the Rape Recovery Center.

What have you enjoyed most about your time as a RRC volunteer? I love it when I am able to provide someone with information or resources that they need and hand no idea about.  One of the most memorable moments I have had as a volunteer was talking with a group of kids at the end of the conversation we went around the room and asked people what they learned.  One of the girls said that they didn't know that their were people that cared.  Being able to give that one person hope in their recovery just because we cared is what makes all the work we do worth it.  

Tell us a little more about how you spend your time outside of volunteering for the RRC:  I got out of the Army in April of 2017 the initial transition was a little difficult for me but I was able to settle in doing things that I love.  I have focused full-time on my photography.  I have some very lofty goals and like to use my talents to make a difference.  One of the key moments in my photography education was hearing a quote that said "take photographs of things that need to change or things that need to be celebrated". I currently am a full-time student at SLCC and work as a photographer as well.  I spend more time working on personal projects then I do taking on paying clients.  

You have immersed yourself in the very difficult work of addressing sexual violence. What gives you hope as you approach this work? The biggest thing that gives me hope is knowing that I can make a difference is someones life.  I think as a society we have come a long way in the last 5 years but we still have a long way to go.  I know I can't change everyone at once but I can make a difference one person at a time.

What is your message to others looking to get involved in this work, or considering volunteer work at the RRC?  Just do it.  It is extremely rewarding.  There is something about being a volunteer that allows you to notice things that you didn't notice before.  I find myself talking to people almost every day that can benefit from what we do.  A few years ago I either would not have noticed or would not have known how to respond to them.  By volunteering you can give people hope, that is one of the first steps to helping them heal.  

On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center we thank Troy for dedicating his time and talents to the center, and for his commitment to survivors! 

If you are interested in joining the Rape Recovery Center's volunteer team, visit our volunteer page here to learn more. 

Mid-Year Impact Report

2018 has been a transformative year so far for the Rape Recovery Center, and for survivors of sexual violence. With a record number of survivors coming forward to share their stories, our center has provided more services than ever before. In the first six months of 2018, the Rape Recovery Center offered 12,098 services to 1,392 survivors, and reached 6,884 community members through our outreach and prevention services. We have seen a 122% increase in survivors served since 2017, and a 57% increase in services provided. 

We need the support of our community now more than ever. Help us ensure that every survivor who needs our services is able to receive no cost, comprehensive healing. Whether you choose to become a Partner in Healing, join our volunteer team, or host a community fundraiser, your investment ensures our continued impact on the lives of survivors, and on our community as a whole. Learn more about getting involved here. 

Practicing Self-Compassion

Here at the Rape Recovery Center, we talk a lot about self-compassion. Self-compassion is critical to your health and well being. Self-compassion is one of the pillars of healing trauma and it is a great tool to address burnout for our staff and volunteers. In our culture, self-compassion is often discouraged. Too often, we try to motivate ourselves and others to change through shame and blame. However, research tells us that people are more likely to practice positive self-care when they are compassionate towards themselves.

What is Self-Compassion

Dr. Kristin Neff has spent many years researching and writing about self-compassion. She tells us that there are three important skills in fostering self-compassion: (1) Self-kindness, or treating ourselves like we would treat a friend, (2) Common Humanity, or reminding ourselves that others suffer like we do, and (3) Mindfulness, or learning to be in the present moment without judgement.   

Source: http://compassioninspiredhealth.com/2015/10/26/be-kind-to-yourself/

Why is Self-Compassion Important in Healing Trauma? 

One of the most painful aspects of trauma recovery, especially for survivors of sexual violence, is the shame and self-blame survivors experience. We beat ourselves up for what happened. We go over the details in our minds and all the ways we think we "should" have acted differently. This leads to an immense amount of suffering.

By practicing some self-compassion, we can arrive at a mental space where we can respond to painful thoughts with kindness, connectedness, and mindfulness. This might sound like: 

• "I am OK just as I am. I did the best I could with the skills and knowledge I had at the time.
• "I am a human, with a brain that responds just like other humans, and part of our common humanity involves pain and suffering."
• "I am going to choose to be with this pain that I am experiencing, and notice how hard it is for me in this very moment."  

When we approach our post-traumatic responses in this way, they often have a shorter duration and become less overwhelming over time. At first, it may feel impossible! Just like any new skill, the more we practice self-compassion the more intuitive it becomes. 

Want to Learn More About Self-Compassion?

If you would like to learn more about self-compassion training and find some practices to try at home, visit selfcompassion.org. They have some great exercises you can try at home and lots of helpful resources. 

If you are a survivor of sexual violence and would like some help exploring self-compassion and healing from trauma, call us at 801-467-7282 to schedule a service planning meeting. You can also call our 24-hour line to learn more about our services at 801-467-7273, or visit the services section of our website here. 

Partner Spotlight: Weekends of Recovery with Men Healing

One in six men will experience sexual violence in their lifetime, and most of them will never access healing services to assist in their recovery from this trauma. Over 30 years ago a group came together to promote healing and recovery for male survivors of sexual violence. What started as a one day conference eventually evolved into what is now called a  "Weekend of Recovery," an opportunity for male identified survivors to come together in their healing journey, guided by a group of licensed therapists over a three day weekend retreat.  Today, these weekend retreats are offered through the organization Men Healing. 

According to the Men Healing website, "The Weekend of Recovery program will introduce you to a variety of approaches for managing emotions and life stressors, as well as promoting relaxation. Everyone will have opportunities to choose how to tell your story – through words, through art, through movement, and/or through music. We’ll also include time for rest and to enjoy the beautiful physical environments that are available at each of our Weekend of Recovery venues. A goal is for all participants to have a range of skills and experiences to take home with them."

Weekends of Recovery are offered in Utah, Ohio, and Washington. Registration is now open for the October 19-21, 2018 retreat in Clinton, Washington. To find more information about registering for a weekend of recovery, and to apply for a scholarship, check out their website at www.menhealing.org. 

“The day that my life changed for the positive was the day my story was shared. It was the hardest thing that I had ever done. I have been depressed, suicidal, addicted and almost lost my family a couple of times. My story was the hardest part of my life and yet it was the most freeing. I got it out of me....I finally was able to have a voice after 20 years of holding on to the darkest secret that I felt was going to destroy me and everything and everyone I knew if it was shared. I still remember the day I shared my story. I walked out on a break after sharing and just stared at the mountains. I took a picture so that I could remember exactly how it felt to tell the story. The smells, the sights and the cold rain cloud that sat over that place of healing.”

— Weekend of Recovery Participant

Woman of Color Support Group is Now Every Tuesday!

Seeking support as someone who has been impacted by sexual violence is always a difficult thing to do. For women of color, experiences with racism and discrimination often make it even more challenging to seek support and find people you trust. Statistics indicate that women of color are at an increased risk for sexual violence,  as we understand that systems of discrimination often result in violence. Some examples of how women of color are impacted:

• Native American women are the victims of rape and sexual assault at a rate that is 3.5 times higher than that of any other race in the United States.  Furthermore, Native American and Alaska Native women are more likely to be victims of sexual violence committed by a stranger or acquaintance rather than a family member or intimate partner.  Approximately 70% of these perpetrators are non-Native.
• For every African-American woman who reports her rape, at least 15 African-American women do not report theirs.
• According to a compilation of studies, between 21-55% of Asian women report experiencing intimate physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime.
• Married Latinas are less likely than other women to immediately define their experiences of forced sex as rape and terminate their relationships; some view sex as a marital obligation.

Martha Mendes, Staff Therapist 

Given these startling statistics, the Rape Recovery Center is now offering a weekly support group specifically for women of color who are survivors of sexual violence. This group is open to anyone over the age of 14 who self-identifies as a woman of color and has personally experienced sexual violence, or is navigating the impact of sexual violence against someone close to them. The group is led by Rape Recovery Center therapist Martha Mendes. We interviewed Martha to find out more about the group. Check out the interview below! 

Why did the Rape Recovery Center decide to launch the WOC support group?

The RRC was approached by a community member who requested to have a group support specifically for Women of Color who are survivors of sexual violence.  The RRC team thought that offering a support group specifically for Women of Color was a great idea, and would offer more support to this population.  

What is the structure of this group? What can people expect when they attend?

This is a support group, therefore, the facilitator hopes that participants have a space where they can share some of their re-traumatizing experiences, know that they are not alone in this oppressive environment, feel the support and genuine empathy from the other participants who may be experiencing a similar situation, and learn healthy coping skills from one another.  In this group we do not process any trauma, hence we do not share details about the sexual assault/s and/or the experience of the primary survivor's assault (for secondary survivors).  

What are some of the unique dynamics that WOC survivors experience?

Sexual violence is a powerful weapon of oppression, and racism is too!  Unfortunately, we live in a society that is still oppressive towards people of color.  Primary and secondary survivors who are people of color, not only have to navigate a society that invalidates survivors of sexual violence, but they also have to continue to navigate a society that perpetuates oppression and marginalization against them due to their skin color, ethnicity, and/or place of origin (just to name a few).  

Racism is strongly institutionalized and it is still very much present in our criminal justice system and most systems.  Therefore, it is even harder for survivors of sexual violence who are people of color to be seen, validated, and even feel safe and protected.  Perverse distrust in the criminal justice system and our society in general is something very real for most survivors of sexual violence who are people of color.  In addition, many social service agencies that aim to support and help members of the community also perpetuate oppression towards people of color.  Consequently, many survivors do not reach out to social service agencies for help and support.  Talking about sexual violence and oppression towards people of color is very complex and the many intersections of our identity makes this even more complex.  What I just briefly explained is only the tip of the "iceberg" when we talk about the unique dynamics that WOC survivors experience.

Additionally, for many women of color there is a very strong connection/identification with their families, culture, and racial or ethnic groups.  Consequently, it may be extremely hard for them to report any sexual violence when the perpetrator was/is a family member, family friend, acquaintance, or a member of their community/ethnic group.  Cultural ideas and cultural gender roles may also make it harder for them to share, report, and even understand that what they are experiencing is sexual violence.  This is why in this WOC support group, we talk about our many identities and their intersections, our cultural ideas, cultural gender roles, and try to understand these complexities through a Feminist Multi-Cultural perspective.

Why is this group important to you as the facilitator? 

As an immigrant and woman of color, I feel very strongly about dedicating extra time and effort to making connections and building bridges with marginalized and oppressed populations in general.  There is a tremendous need for support and healing, and also there is the barrier of distrust and fear - I understand and I have felt it too.  I wish the RRC could count on endless funding to be able to reach out to all marginalized and oppressed populations.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  I want to feel hopeful and empowered and I want others to feel the same. Since the opportunity of opening a support group for women of color presented itself, I took it without hesitation.  I believe that it is better to start somewhere than not starting at all!  I hope that with time, we are able to reach out to other oppressed populations, and open more specific services for them too.  

What else do you want people to know about this group? 

In this group we do not pretend that we have experienced exactly what you are going through - everyone has different life experiences.  Nevertheless, we can find commonalities and support each other with kindness, love, patience, and empathy.  I also hope that we can learn from each other through valuing and respecting each's others intersectionalities of identities and uniqueness. 

Who is invited to attend this group? 

This group is open to all primary and secondary survivors of sexual violence who self-identify as women and are people of color. 

If this group sounds like it would be a good fit for you, we hope you will join us! To get started, call the Rape Recovery Center at 801-467-7282 and let us know you are interested in joining. Interested, but nervous about attending? Hear more from Martha below. 

References 

• http://endsexualviolencect.org
• United States Bureau of Justice Statistics (National Crime Victimization Surveys)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Department of Justice
• Department of Health and Human Service
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Building Safe & Healthy Qummunites

The Utah Pride Center's new building, located at 1380 Main Street in Salt Lake City. 

This month, through a partnership with the Utah Pride Center, the Rape Recovery Center will launch a new program for LGBTQ youth. On June 22, 2018 the we will host our first "Qummunity Workshop," offering youth aged 10-20 a space to build community and discuss topics like self-love, healthy relationships, and consent. Youth will meet in separate age defined groups at the recently relocated Utah Pride Center from 5:00-7:30 pm. Details of the event can be found here. 

This will be the first of many similar workshops, using a newly designed curriculum created specifically for LGBTQ youth through a collaboration that started two years ago. According to Rape Recovery Center staff, "It was super important to us that folks with a personal investment in the community be a part of this project. That’s why many of our favorite community partners are involved with producing this curriculum, including Utah Pride Center, LGBT Resource Center at the University of Utah, and Utah Domestic Violence Coalition."  

According to the Center for Disease Control’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, those in the LGBTQ community are more likely to experience sexual violence. At the Rape Recovery Center we recognize that experiences of oppression and marginalization contribute to these statistics, and work to empower communities that are most vulnerable to violence through culturally relevant programming. 

When asked about what attendees can expect when they attend a Qummunity workshop, Rape Recovery Center staff shared "I think folks may have assumptions of what this workshop will entail based on who is co-hosting! Which is totally understandable; with a name like “Rape Recovery Center”, it is not too far-fetched to assume we will be talking about consent at some point! However, we are hoping that the young folks in our workshops will get a chance to really explore the topic in a fun and understanding environment. During these workshops, we’ll do our best to avoid lecturing people on consent, and instead, try a more interactive and collaborative way. Our goal is to get people moving, talking, and building connections WHILE discussing issues pertaining to violence in the LGBTQ+ community.  If nothing else, we hope participants leave feeling empowered and hopeful and connected to others in the community."

To learn more about this program or to request accommodations, please contact Luis Lopez at l.lopez@raperecoverycenter.org. 

Over $100,000 Raised to Support Survivors & Prevent Sexual Violence

We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the amazing community of supporters that surround the Rape Recovery Center. This week our community raised $101,270 for the vital services we provide here at the center!

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Hope & Healing Gala

We wish to thank everyone who sponsored, donated to, volunteered for, and attended our Hope & Healing Gala last Friday June 8, 2018. Through this annual fundraiser, we raised $70,925! Not only will these funds support the vital healing services and prevention education our center provides, they also fill us with hope for the future we are building together. Each one of the hundreds of individuals and businesses who made our gala a success remind us that we are not alone in this fight, and that good is all around us. 

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Still Not Asking For It hosted by Ashley Love and Yellow Rose Tattoo

On Sunday June 10, 2018 the third annual "Still Not Asking For It" (SNAFI) tattoo flash fundraiser was held. Thanks to Ashley Love and the incredible people over at Yellow Rose Tattoo, $23,617 was raised for our center. This event was one of many SNAFI events, all held on the same day around the globe. We are humbled by the incredible kindness and generosity shown by the tattoo community through SNAFI, and feel so inspired by Ashley Love and her crew. These funds will help our center keep up with the rising demand for services and ensure that survivors are supported in their healing. Thank you to everyone who participated in this years SNAFI event! 

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V-Day Club at Westminster College

The fabulous V-Day Club at Westminster College dropped off a check for $6,728 dollars, all proceeds from their annual Vagina Monologues performances.  These students worked tirelessly to put on a beautiful production back in February, and both their show and the proceeds from it have an profound impact on raising awareness and support for survivors of sexual violence. On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center, THANK YOU to the everyone who made the 20th anniversary of the Vagina Monologues a success!

2018 Volunteer of the Year: Bobbi Gordon

Each year, the Rape Recovery Center selects one volunteer from our team of over 100 incredible individuals to honor at our annual Hope and Healing Gala. On June 8, 2018 Bobbi Gordon will receive the 2018 Volunteer of the Year award, and we could not think of a more deserving individual. In just over a year, Bobbi has given nearly 250 hours of service to our agency across multiple programs. Whether she is answering our 24 hour crisis line, responding to the hospital to be with a survivor during their rape kit exam, or tabling at community events Bobbi's passion and compassion always shine through. 

We asked Bobbi what inspired her to volunteer at the center. She shared, "In November 2016 I decided I didn't like where our culture and community had ended up. I realized I needed to become more involved with my community and local causes. I wanted to find a way to work with people I knew would be most greatly impacted in the upcoming years and the Rape Recovery Center was one of the first organizations I thought of."

Bobbi describes herself as "a hard core animal lover and a bit of a hippy." She has worked in Animal Care since the age of 14 and one day plans to have a little house on a big lot with her own pet pigs, goats, chickens and a garden. Bobbi is also passionate about conservation and works hard to minimize her impact on the environment. Bobbi says, "My favorite place to be is home with my critters, family, and friends."

When asked to share about her time volunteering for the Rape Recovery Center, Bobbi said "When I went to the first day of the 40 hour training I was terrified that I would not be able to do this. As the training progressed I felt more comfortable but knew I'd definitely never be able to do Hospital Response Team! When the HRT training came up I was still positive I couldn't do it but I'd made it this far and really wanted to go where the greatest need was so I jumped in and I can't imagine going back. I have learned that I am stronger than I realized, as are the survivors that I work with. Sometimes I'm with a client just for 2 hours, sometimes for 7 hours, but I always know that for that time I made sure they didn't feel alone, they felt heard, believed, and supported."

On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center, we thank Bobbi for her service and commitment to survivors. Join us at the Hope and Healing Gala on June 8th as we thank Bobbi and raise funds to support the critical services of the center. 

Celebrating Comunidades Unidas: 2018 Partner of the Year

The Rape Recovery Center is thrilled to announce our 2018 Partner of the Year, Comunidades Unidas (CU), who will be honored at this years Hope and Healing Gala on June 8th. The mission of Comunidades Unidas/Communities United is to empower Latinos to recognize and achieve their own potential and be a positive force for change in the larger community. CU’s programs focus on preventative health, community organizing, family well-being, and immigration rights/services. The critical work that CU does touches the lives of thousands of individuals annually. 

Comunidades Unidas staff, Promotoras, and volunteers in 2017

Through our partnership with Comunidades Unidas, the Rape Recovery Center has been able to expand our reach to Latinx communities and survivors. This partnership has enriched every level of service at our agency, with collaborations in client services, outreach, and long-term coalition building. Rape Recovery Center Advocacy Coordinator Katherine Aguilera states “Communities United personifies grassroots advocacy. As an agency, they take on a community voice and speak for those who are scared, alone and hidden. CU works to empower the voices of those who are most vulnerable. They have shown a commitment to our agency, and have helped us bridge a gap. Through our partnership, we have seen a tremendous increase in accessibility and knowledge about our services. They've assisted in the de-stigmatizing of sexual assault. Through their contribution, healing from sexual assault has become a reality for many."

We have seen the impact of this partnership in the number of Latinx survivors reaching out for our services, which has grown by nearly 10% since our collaboration began in 2016. The importance of this partnership is critical when we consider that 50% of Latina's will experience sexual violence in their lifetimes (NISVS, 2010) and that nearly 20% of Salt Lake County residents are Latinx.  Rape Recovery Center Client Liaison and advocate Emma Zevallos shares the impact that the partnership with CU has on the lives of the survivors she serves, stating “Estoy muy agradecida de poder colaborar con Comunidades Unidas, tuvimos una interaccion donde en conjunto ayudamos a un cliente. Logramos tener exito al ayudar a esa familia y me hizo sentir muy feliz y agradecida de que Comunidades Unidas ayude a la comunidad Latina. Valoro mucho su trabajo, y orgullosa de poder trabajar con ustedes. Lo que hacen por la comunidad es realmente especial y apreciamos su dedicacion y apoyo. Si se puede! Gracias.”

The Rape Recovery Center extends a huge thank you to all of the staff, board and volunteers at Comunidades Unidas for the important work they do to support and empower Utah's Latinx community. We look forward to highlighting the important partnership between Conunidades Unidas and the Rape Recovery Center at the upcoming Hope and Healing Gala. We hope you will join us on June 8th as we celebrate hope, healing, and recovery and raise funds for the critical work of supporting survivors and ending sexual violence in Utah. Buy your tickets today! 

Pillar of Hope Awardee: Centro de la Familia de Utah

Program facilitators Stephany Murguia-Vega from the Rape Recovery Center and Javier Campos from Centro de la Familia de Utah offering congratulations to the families graduating from the 8 week Nuestras Familias, Nuestra Salud program. 

Each year the Rape Recovery Center honors an organization or individual in our community with the "Pillar of Hope" award for their work in moving forward our mission to end sexual violence in Utah. This year, we have selected Centro de la Familia de Utah (CDLFU) for their incredible commitment to sexual violence prevention in the Latinx community. For the past two years, the Rape Recovery Center has worked in partnership with CDLFU to develop and implement a sexual violence prevention curriculum for Latinx families. 

It is often said that "an ounce of prevention is equal to a pound of cure." Recognizing the wisdom in this sentiment, the Rape Recovery Center employs a small but mighty team of prevention educators who work with youth and families throughout Salt Lake County. Our educators work to empower individuals with information about healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. Our prevention team recognizes that these topics are heavily influenced by the cultures and identities of the individuals they work with, and in partnership with community organizations like CDLFU we have created several culturally relevant prevention programs.

Children participating in the Nuestras Familias, Nuestra Salud program.

Last year our team launched Nuestras Familias, Nuestra Salud (or Our Famlies, Our Health). This one of a kind program is offered in both Spanish and English to Latinx families through a partnership between the Rape Recovery Center, CDLFU, and Talk to a Survivor. During a pilot session in 2017, 12 families met weekly over 8 weeks to participate in the program.

This cohort of nearly 70 individuals came together every Friday night to enjoy dinner with one another as a group, followed by breakout sessions on topics like defining healthy and unhealthy relationships, dealing with difficult emotions, and healthy communication. From toddlers to grandmothers, each member of the family is invited to engage in these conversations with others in their age group. 

After the completion of this pilot program, we found that families who participated report a significant overall increase in non-violent problem solving skills and decrease in attitudes that promote sexual violence (based on pre and post test data). "It was amazing to see the way this [program] created hope and spaces for healing in the families we had the privilege to work with," says Rape Recovery Center Outreach and Access Coordinator Stephany Murguia-Vega. 

In early 2018, a second cohort of families began the Nuestras Familias, Nuestra Salud program. This second group of families graduated on April 20, 2018. Through this important partnership we hope to create many more opportunities for families and communities to come together and learn about preventing sexual violence. "Our partnership with CDLFU has opened up new and incredible possibilities for sexual violence prevention in Utah. This partnership really illustrates the power of collaboration and community building," says Mara Haight, Rape Recovery Center Executive Director. 

Join us at the Hope and Healing Gala on June 8th, 2018 to honor the incredible work that Centro de la Familia de Utah has done to move this project forward.The funds raised at our annual gala help support important prevention programs like Nuestras Familias, Nuestra Salud, as well as the spectrum of healing services the Rape Recovery Center offers. 

Volunteer Spotlight: Melissa Tingey

The Rape Recovery Center (RRC) could not do the work we do without our incredible volunteers. In 2017 the 117 individuals on our volunteer force provided 11,938 hours of service, a value of $143,246! One of the fabulous individuals on our volunteer team is Melissa Tingey, who has been an advocate on our 24 hour crisis line for the past 3 years. We reached out to Melissa to find out more about her, and her experience volunteering at the center. Check out our interview with Melissa below! 

Melissa Tingey, RRC Volunteer Advocate

What inspired you to volunteer your time with us? Wanting to help in the community, and make a difference when someone needed someone there to listen and offer assistance.

If you could pick any superpower, what would be and why? To make everyone laugh, knowing that I was able to brighten someone's day for a good reason seems like a great power to me.

What is your dream vacation destination? Europe

One thing that would surprise someone to learn about me is...I did gymnastics growing up, and coached for several years after.

What have you learned from your time volunteering with the RRC? Sometimes it doesn't matter your experience or what you know, but rather your willingness to help others.

What would you say to people considering volunteering their time to the Rape Recovery Center? You never know when you would be in a situation that you would need services from others, choose to be that person that can offer the services.

On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center we thank Melissa for dedicating over 400 hours of volunteer service to the center, and for her commitment to survivors! 

If you are interested in joining the Rape Recovery Center's volunteer team, visit our volunteer page here to learn more. 

Coping With Triggers Through Mindfulness

It seems like everywhere we turn we are hearing about the age old wisdom of mindfulness, and all of the ways we can benefit from this practice in our modern world. At the Rape Recovery Center, mindfulness is weaved throughout our full spectrum of services that address the impact of post-traumatic stress. 

For survivors of sexual violence, natural survival mechanisms lead to fight, flight, and/or freeze responses when traumatic memories are triggered. These triggers often lead to thoughts and behaviors that ultimately impede our ability to skillfully respond to what is happening in the present moment. The practice of mindfulness offers a neurobiological antidote to the natural trauma response of the brain, making it a pretty awesome tool for any of us who have experienced sexual violence. To read more about how mindfulness can be used as a tool for those who experience post-traumatic stress, check out this great article from mindful.org. 

We know that learning mindfulness skills can be pretty tough, and can even feel impossible, when you have experienced trauma. With a healthy combination of self-compassion and patience, mindfulness skills can start to feel more and more accessible to survivors of sexual violence. If you are interested in exploring how mindfulness might fit into your recovery, check out the resources below. 

Experienced mindfulness practitioner and therapist Tara Brach has provided a library of resources on her website, including a guide for beginners. She also publishes weekly one-hour talks that are a great, free resource to anyone exploring mindfulness and meditation. Linked above is one of our favorite "Tara Talks" where she addresses the connection between trauma and mindfulness practice.

There are also many mobile applications that provide guided mindfulness exercises. One of our favorite apps is Buddhify, which is available on both android and apple devices. We love this app because if provides a wide variety of exercises in categories like stress and difficult emotions, sleep issues, and growing the lovely. 

There are also many great books on mindfulness. Rachel Goldsmith Turow has written a workbook on the subject, titled Mindfulness Skills for Trauma and PTSD that is available on amazon and many major booksellers. 

The Rape Recovery Center also provides a spectrum of mindfulness-informed services for survivors of sexual violence. These services include (1) short-term coping-skills focused counseling, where we use mindfulness strategies to cope with the impact of trauma, (2) a mindfulness-focused group called WiseMind, and (3) long-term therapy services using mindfulness-oriented interventions for post-traumatic stress. If you decide you would like to deepen your practice with some support, call our office at 801-467-7282 to schedule an appointment.  

We hope you will find these tools useful, and that you will share your own favorites in the comments below! 

Celebrating Hope & Healing

The 6th annual Hope & Healing Gala will be held at Publik Coffee Roasters on June 8th, 2018.  Each year the Rape Recovery Center invites our community to come together in celebration and support of our work to empower survivors and prevent sexual violence. During this defining moment of survivor leadership and #MeToo momentum, we are so thrilled to connect with the Rape Recovery Center community and raise funds for this crucial work. With a record number of survivors reporting their assaults and seeking healing services, the funds raised will go directly to support the work of the center. 

Survivor art exhibits from the Hope & Healing Gala (2013-2017)

In addition to raising funds for the center, the Hope & Healing Gala is an opportunity to share messages of healing and recovery. A survivor art exhibit provides a unique and powerful opportunity to engage the community in the healing of survivors.

Our Pillar of Hope Award highlights the leaders in our community who are working to end sexual violence. Past winners include state Rep. Angela Romero, researcher and forensic nurse Julie Valentine, and the organization Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources.  

Pillar of Hope Awardees, 2013-2017

Finally, the Volunteer of the Year award celebrates one of the outstanding volunteers who give time and energy to the Rape Recovery Center. Our volunteer force of over 100 compassionate individuals give their time to support survivors and educate the community. Past honorees include Ben Simon, Juanita Giles, and Midge Delevan. 

Join us on June 8th to celebrate hope, healing, and a future without sexual violence! Check back soon to find out who our 2018 awardees will be. 

Highlights from the 2017 Hope & Healing Gala

Voices of SAAM 2018

Teresa Stafford, Senior Director of Victim Services and Outreach at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, and Mara Haight, Executive Director of the Rape Recovery Center at the Utah Sexual Violence Conference. 

As we pass the half-way point of Sexual Assault Awareness Month 2018, we are inspired by our community and the survivors who we have connected with over these past two weeks. 

Our SAAM 2018 experience kicked off with a Facebook Live event, where we took our followers on a tour of the Rape Recovery Center. We took some stops along the way to talk about our exciting SAAM events. For those who missed it, check out the video here. 

Phoebe Galvez, Rape Recovery Center staff therapist and organizer of "Speak, Swing, Sway: Zumba with inSpire Up" poses with all who attended for an evening of body love and movement. 

Our next stop was the Utah Sexual Violence Conference April 4-6th. Several of our staff attended this annual conference, learning from many incredible speakers in the field of sexual violence treatment and prevention. When asked about her experience at the conference, Executive Director Mara Haight said "It was inspiring to hear from national leaders like Tony Porter who shared his perspective on the importance of men's engagement in this movement to end sexual violence. Connecting with advocates and service providers from across the United States helped me expand my understanding of what survivors need to feel supported in their recovery. I appreciated hearing from Teresa Stafford from the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center about the unique needs and barriers that survivors of color face. I also enjoyed learning from Mira Yusef and Valerie Davis about their work with the Resource Sharing Project, which is working to ensure survivors have meaningful access to services throughout our communities. Finally, it was an honor to share space with and learn from individuals who are making a change here locally, folks like Emily Bagley who presented a workshop on art-based healing initiatives." 

We've celebrated the theme of SAAM 2018, "Embrace Your Voice" in many ways - marching in solidarity with other local activists and advocates at "Take Back the Night" on April 5th, bar hopping with our supporters at "Let's Get Consensual" on April 7th, shakin' it with our community at "Speak, Swing, and Sway: Zumba with inSpire Up" on April 11th,  and getting creative with the Downtown Artists Collective at our "Coppice" art exhibition on April 13th and "Embrace Your Voice: Part 1" art workshop on April 14th. 

Heather Olsen, 1st place winner of "Coppice: An Art Exhibition," is pictured with her winning painting titled "Looking Forward to the Future." 

With 2 weeks left of SAAM 2018, don't miss the opportunity to connect with us. You can join us on April 28th for part 2 of our "Embrace Your Voice" community art workshop. We will be co-creating large art pieces that will be shared throughout the year on the walls of the Rape Recovery Center, and on display at our Hope and Healing Gala on June 8th.  We hope to see you there! 

Volunteer Spotlight: Ann Wright

The Rape Recovery Center (RRC) could not do the work we do without our incredible volunteers. In 2017 the 117 individuals who comprise the volunteer force of the center provided 11,938 hours of service, a value of $143,246! One of the fabulous individuals on our volunteer team is Ann Wright, who is an advocate on our 24 hour crisis line. We reached out to Ann to find out more about her experience with the center, and to spotlight her advocacy work with survivors. 

Ann Wright, RRC Volunteer Advocate

When asked about how she got involved with the RRC, Ann shared "The RRC office is near my dentist's office. Twice a year I would pass the RRC and finally one day I walked in and asked how I could help. I've done a variety of volunteer work over the years out of a desire to "pay it forward" in a general sense; women's issues in particular set my hair on fire, so I decided it was time to become an advocate." Since the time that Ann walked into our agency nearly three years ago, she has given over 1550 hours of her time on our agency crisis line and impacted countless survivors and community members through her advocacy work. 

We asked Ann to share the lessons she has learned over the past 3 years as a volunteer advocate. Ann shared "I have learned funny things, like how hard it can be to guide a breathing exercise over the phone; I had one young woman hyperventilating. I have learned good things, like how to be a better listener, and how to help a survivor remember who he/she is, and how to find my way through that binder full of resources when under stress or half asleep. I have learned terrible things that I already knew, like how insidious shame is, how willful ignorance is, how terribly vulnerable children are, how afraid people are... I have learned specific things from specific callers. For example, I have learned that hope begins to feel dangerous to someone who keeps getting shot down. I have learned that I must offer validation that is meaningful to the caller. I have to enter the caller's world." 

Finally, we asked Ann to share some words to those considering volunteer work with the center. Her advice? "Volunteer, do it." 

On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center, we thank Ann for her years of service and dedication to survivors! 

If you are interested in joining the Rape Recovery Center's volunteer team, visit our volunteer page here to learn more. 

2013 SAAM Art Project

Every April the Rape Recovery Center hosts a community art project during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Check out this video from our 2013 SAAM event!