Navigating the Impact of the Supreme Court Hearings

Most of us cannot turn on our choice of media without hearing about the sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh. Since the 2016 election cycle countless survivors have bravely shared their stories of harm caused by powerful individuals, most of them men, through acts of sexual violence. These stories are so important, and the national conversation they have generated is critical.

These conversations have an impact on all of us, and for survivors they are a constant reminder of some of our most painful experiences. For some, it may stir up memories of experiences that have long been buried. For others, it is another reminder of the trauma that haunts us daily. It is common for post-traumatic stress responses to intensify when we are inundated with these conversations, and for many survivors anxiety and sleepless nights are all too familiar.

If you are finding it difficult to navigate the impact of sexual violence in the news, here are a few tips:

1. Listen to your body. If you notice you are feeling sick to your stomach while scrolling through your Facebook feed, give yourself permission to disconnect from social media for a bit. Our bodies are wise, and will often tell us when we are getting overwhelmed if we can learn to tune inward.

2. Validate your feelings. Remember that your feelings are always valid, even if they are different from other survivors or those closest to you. Some of us may feel angry right now, while others may feel deeply sad. Still others may feel energized and empowered. When you notice yourself having an emotional response, give yourself validation by simply naming that feeling and reminding yourself that it is OK to feel it.

3. Cope in whatever way feels best to you. Right now you may really want to talk about your own experiences of sexual violence with those closest to you. You may also feel like blasting ABBA tunes and not talking about sexual violence at all. There is no hierarchy in coping strategies - whatever works best to help you stay healthy and supported is what is best for you. If you are not sure how to cope, this handout will provide you with more information on post-traumatic stress and how to cope with the impact of it.

4. Be clear about your boundaries. It is likely that many of your friends and family members are also being impacted by these conversations, and they may want to talk with you about it. They may also want support from you. It is important to get clear with yourself about what your boundaries are and to be clear about those boundaries with others. Boundaries you may want to consider include what you want to talk about, with whom, in what context, etc.

5. Remember that you are not alone. Identify who your trusted sources of support are. This could include a close friend, an online support group, a therapist, or a local crisis line. Remember, the Rape Recovery Center crisis line is available 24/7 by calling 801-467-7273. Other professional supports include the national sexual assault crisis line provided by RAINN 1-800-656-4673, and the UNI general mental health crisis line 801-587-3000.

Meet Our Newest Volunteer Class

Three times a year the Rape Recovery Center hosts a volunteer training to prepare new advocates as they join our team. This past Saturday we had a dynamic group of individuals, pictured below, complete this training. Over two weeks these folks spent 40 hours learning about crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and the resources/systems survivors will interact with throughout their recovery. Now that they are certified Rape Crisis Counselors, we are thrilled to add these compassionate individuals to our volunteer ranks!

“The training was an incredible opportunity and I learned so much. My main takeaway is to really understand the complexity and nuance of every survivors situation, and to just be their person for that moment. The facilitation was excellent and I feel as though I’ve learned so much about excellent facilitation and teaching.” - Training Participant

Are you interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more on our volunteer page.

Partner Spotlight: West Jordan Domestic Violence Coalition

The West Jordan Domestic Violence Coalition aims to serve the areas of West Jordan, Taylorsville, Sandy, and Midvale. The goal of the coalition is to educate the community on the services available to them and to counter the root causes of family and sexual violence. The coalition consists of nonprofits, government, and residents to facilitate these goals. Every month the coalition members learn from each other and collaborate to help keep the city free of violence!

“I believe in the work the West Jordan Domestic Violence Coalition does because its community focused and I love being part of a collective working for change.  ”

— Mary Robinson, Director of Education and Prevention at South Valley Services

This Saturday, the annual Fall Family Festival will take place as part of the coalitions efforts to connect West Jordan Families to resources while having fun. More than 15 non-profits and city agencies will come together to share information with our community. We will provide bounce houses, pumpkin carving, food, and prizes. Please join us for a fun and educational opportunity!

If you are interested in joining this coalition and add your voice we encourage you to reach out to us at maryr@svsutah.org.

Volunteer Spotlight: Robbin Daffin

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 Robbin Daffin. Robbin has used her time and talents in many ways to support the efforts of the center, from creating beautiful floral arrangements for our annual gala to providing information about our services at community events. Read more about Robbin and her experience at the center below!

What motivated you to become a volunteer at the Rape Recovery Center?

I have finally come to a place in life where my the abuse that happened to me doesn’t define me or scare me, if that makes sense. I've always wanted to share my strength and story with others and help people that have similar experiences. With the Me too Movement and how triggering our political climate has been for survivors this felt like the perfect time to volunteer. And I just moved back to Utah last year so there's that too.

What have you enjoyed most about your time as a RRC volunteer?

I adore the staff, the community and educating people when I am tabling an event. And I really want to do the HRT team training. 

What is most challenging about your volunteer work at the RRC?

Staying positive and not letting some of the stories that have been shared get to you. The things people talk to you about, even at a tabling event, can be really hard and a bit triggering. Self care is really, really important and needed. 

Tell us a little more about how you spend your time outside of volunteering for the RRC - hobbies, passions, work, school? 

I am a freelance florist for my business Hope & Evolution - I had the privilege of doing the flowers for RRC gala! I love sharing the beauty of this world with others. And I just took a job with Ronald McDonald House here in Salt Lake City as a Guest Services Manager. I love it! It's also an amazing organization that gives back to the community, families and children. And, like RRC as rewarding as it is, it's also really hard at times. Self care is key.

I'm married to an amazing woman, and have 4 kids (2 from my 1st marriage and 2 grown from my wife, Mary) We have 2 doggies, Olive Larue and Lenny Bean, and a cat named Max. I love gardening, rearranging my house and bikram yoga (I am not the most flexible person, but I do love a challenge!)

You have immersed yourself in the very difficult work of addressing sexual violence. What gives you hope as you approach this work? What is your message to others looking to get involved in this work, or considering volunteer work at the RRC?

What gives me hope is that I came out of a very tough childhood and have been sexually assaulted twice as a young adult and I AM HERE AND VIBRANT AND STRONG AND I HAVE A REALLY KICK ASS AMAZING LIFE. I know I am not special in this, being a survivor and coming out strong. We just all need that group, or sounding board or person that says "You are worthy! This isn't who you are! Most people aren't assholes! You can be OK and feel whole again!" 

I think that's a pretty damn good reason to volunteer for RRC. And its also perfectly fine to want to help others and find out you aren't quite there yet. I tried volunteering for something like this when I was 24, I wanted to study social work. But, it wasn't time, I was not ready. I'm turning 49 this month, it took me another 24 years to find that voice and be confident in it. Everyone has there own healing process and timeline and THAT'S OK. But when you're ready, RRC is absolutely an amazing place to share your voice and help others. 

On behalf of all of us at the Rape Recovery Center we thank Robbin for dedicating her time and talents 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. 

Interview with @mollythestripper!

We sat down with @mollythestripper to learn a little more about her and the event she hosted at Trails to raise money for the Rape Recovery Center. In just one night, she raised over $8,000 to support the RRC and survivors in our community, and we are excited to hear what inspired this incredible event.

Hi Molly! Thanks for taking the time to talk. To start, tell us a little bit about yourself!

I'm a single mom to a beautiful 8 year old daughter and I'm an exotic dancer currently, but I'd love to eventually be a writer/director/producer for TV and film, focusing on musical and comedy genres. I take classes online and out of state studying writing screenplays ect and have several projects in the works right now.

Would you talk about the event you hosted at Trails? Why did you choose to work with the Rape Recovery Center for this event?

I had been to previous events to support the RRC at Yellow Rose Tattoo and an event hosted by Nice & Easy and it was such a great time and it felt so good to support something local that was so incredibly important. I started to wonder if I could do something similar and if I did if it might inspire others to do the same. It was scary because I work in a sexually oriented business and I was worried what the response would be. But even from the beginning I had a ton of support and it turned out phenomenal. It was such a special experience with the other dancers who also donated their tips for the entire night. As we sorted the money we all cried and felt how amazing it is to feel like we had made a difference for those who have been affected by sexual abuse which included some of us personally and friends and family close to us.

What message do you hope to share by hosting events like these?

I hope to share that it's not taboo to talk about sexual abuse and rape and that there is somewhere you can go for help.

What do you think is the next step to address sexual violence as a community?

Like many, I believe that educating young men and women early on about having healthy sexual relationships is important.

What’s next for you? Any plans for charitable projects in the future?

Yes! I plan to have another event at Trails in the near future. And I also have a picture book coming out in September called, Narcissism for Beginners: The Selfish Book for Charity, and 50% of proceeds will go towards the RRC.

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.