Picking Up The Pieces

| 05 March 2009

At a local level, we have the Sexual Assault Recovery and Prevention (SARP) center which serves SLO County. The SARP center staffs both full-time personnel and volunteers to answer a 24-hr hotline assisting survivors and loved ones in getting the support, medical care, and counseling they might need. They provide victim advocacy in the community at police departments, schools, medical centers, and legal proceedings. The SARP center office provides services such as short-term counseling as well as counseling referral for clients. The SARP center also provides educational programs for the public such as schools presentations on topics like sexual harassment, community classes on women’s empowerment and self defense, and training coordination with medical and law enforcement workers.

I have met some of the incredibly passionate and dedicated people who work at SARP centers. In speaking with some of them recently, I asked what had brought them into this difficult line of work. For a few, it is simply a way to put their feminist ideals to work. Others have had intimate experience with sexual assault and feel moved to help those similarly touched by it.  One crisis worker I spoke to has been involved in women’s and refugee issues for many years and chose to focus on rape as an issue which she felt able to address effectively. Another worker, also involved in the women’s community for years, said that the SARP center represented her “belief in human rights” and is “a place where I can work for positive social change.” They found that going through the SARP training is a mind-blowing experience that “changed their life.” The knowledge gained is invaluable but sometimes difficult; as one crisis worker put it, “you can’t go back once you know and are involved.” The best part of their jobs? They speak of the amazing people they get to meet and work with and the way that the survivors’ courage and strength touches them. One local crisis worker said, “I love the volunteers…the passion and their excitement....When I’ve had a hard day it helps me to see that in them.” The worst part of their jobs? The resources to help victims are limited and a common theme among crisis workers is that they can’t always do enough for certain groups such as children. “There are whole groups of the population that we can’t really reach,” said one. With all that they have seen and heard, I asked them whether they are more or less optimistic about the issue than when they started. For the most part, they are hopeful that social attitudes are changing and that some social progress is being made. Although the problem is a huge one, the ability to help individual people is there. They believe in the power of working at a small level to help people pick up the pieces and the larger effect that this could have.

My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by sexual assault, and my appreciation goes to those who work for them. Against the odds, these people are surviving, thriving, and making the world a better place.

If you are, or know a survivor in need of support, or if you would like to learn how you can help, please contact the SARP center at http://www.sarpcenter.org or at (805) 545-8888.