By: Savannah Tipton Sexual assault often results in no physical injuries to the victim, but this doesn’t make their experience any less traumatic. After an assault, victims may experience significant short-term and long-term effects.
Effects of Sexual Assault:
Sexual assault is often perpetrated by someone the victim knows (acquaintance, friend, family, etc.). The majority of assaults occur at or near a victim’s home (RAINN). Many of us were taught about “stranger danger” in the past and some people may still believe that no one they know “could do something like that.” Unfortunately, we do not get to live in a world free from danger. However, together we can raise our voices to make a change. Start by believing survivors. If someone discloses they have been sexually assaulted, listen and believe them. If they disclose shortly after an assault, encourage them to get an exam done at the hospital. Sexual assault exams are done for free in Indiana and an experienced SANE nurse (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) can collect evidence that may not be available later on. This is also an opportunity for survivors to get medical care, testing, and ongoing support. Referring survivors to community resources is another way to help and you can encourage them to speak with a victim advocate. Victim advocates offer free support, education, and community referrals. Advocates can also answer questions about protective orders and reporting to law enforcement. Want to get more involved? Get out in the community and start volunteering! There are a variety of volunteer opportunities to help survivors near you. Volunteers opportunities generally include fundraising, events, volunteer advocacy, and more. Visit the career tab to learn more about volunteer and internship opportunities at Beacon of Hope Crisis Center. Finally, show survivors you stand with them as an ally by sharing resources, statistics, and other information from services providers. The simple act of sharing a post has the potential to reach someone who may need help. Your voice has power, use it to support survivors. #AllyToSurvivors If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor in need of services, please contact our confidential crisis line at 317-731-6140. Advocates are a confidential source of support available to help survivors. By: The Beacon of Hope Team We want to say thanks to our Speedway PD partners for a really great meeting this week. The energy and excitement felt by both our teams was inspiring. The Chief and our CEO agreed on a renewal partnership through 2020. Speedway Police Department Captain Jason Dierdorff and Sergeant Mirantha Hockemeyer and Beacon of Hope Crisis Center CEO Sandra Ziebold and Director of Victim Advocacy Tiffany Wilson met and reviewed victim services data and engaged in lots of victim services focused conversation. We brought a total of 45 crisis bundles for adults and children that the officers will have on hand for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. In a moment of fleeing to be safe victims often leave with nothing. These crisis bundles will help meet immediate needs in the community of Speedway. "We want the Speedway community to know we share a passion for helping victims of crime. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center and Speedway PD work together to ensure services are available to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Intervening early saves lives. Reach out if another is asserting power and control over you and you are afraid. We can help you." - Sandra K. Ziebold, CEO Beacon of Hope Crisis Center By The Beacon of Hope Team A Global Giving Movement - November 28, 2017 Please consider Beacon of Hope Crisis Center because domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Central Indiana need support from generous donors like you. As the holiday season kicks off please don’t forget to participate in #GivingTuesday.
On November 28th people across the nation will be joining a movement of end-of-year-giving. As you make your choice of where to place your support at the end of the year, get details about our agency on pages 18 and 19 in the Indiana Business Journal 2018 Giving Guide. Please consider Beacon of Hope Crisis Center because domestic violence and sexual assault victims in Central Indiana need support from generous donors like you. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center is kicking off #GivingTuesday with a challenge. We are asking YOU to donate a crisis bundle for a victim in need. Crisis bundles serve the immediate needs of victims after trauma. You can learn how to make a crisis bundle by visiting our blog. Get a group together and start making a difference today. If you are interested in helping victims receive crisis bundles each month sign up for an easy-give monthly membership. Starting November 27th, donations can be dropped off at 6920 S. East St, Suite B Indianapolis, IN 46227. *Please call (317) 731-6131 before dropping off donations. While you shop on Cyber Monday, please don’t forget to donate a portion of your purchase by choosing Beacon of Hope Crisis Center while shopping with Amazon Smile. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. Learn more by visiting our website. We appreciate support from the community while we strive to provide services and resources to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Thank you! By Savannah Tipton Victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are regularly in situations where they cannot go home or gain access to basic items. To lift this burden, we are constantly preparing crisis bundles to serve those immediate needs. Creating a crisis bundle can be geared to the specific needs of a victim seeking services or preemptively prepared for victims with a general stock of commonly used items. It is important to think about a victim’s perspective and unique needs when preparing a crisis bundle. Crisis bundles should be prepared with a demographic and geographic location in mind. When making crisis bundles it is helpful to include items that are relevant to the weather or season. For example, when preparing bundles during a season of rain or faced with cold weather adding items such as hats and gloves may be beneficial. When preparing crisis bundles for hot and sunny weather add sunscreen or sunglasses. Everyday items that are taken for granted could easily benefit victims in need. Other considerations when making crisis bundles might include the variance in victims age, ethnicity, gender, if they have children, etc. Crisis Bundles Include:
Items for the crisis bundle are placed in reusable bags that can also contribute to meeting a victim’s needs. Encouraging items could include cards, notebooks, magnets, etc. with sayings such as “You Are Strong” “Think Positive” “Smile” or “Believe in Yourself.” There is no one size fits all way to make a crisis bundle, you may add or take out items to more effectively meet a victim’s needs. On average, a crisis bundle can be made with a small donation of $25. We need your help! You can provide a crisis bundle for a victim each month by signing up for our easy give monthly membership. Easy give memberships provide ongoing funding for essential programs offered by Beacon of Hope Crisis Center. Your monthly donations will go directly towards assisting victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Sign up for an easy give monthly membership today! |
About this blog
This blog is about our domestic and sexual violence crisis center, Beacon of Hope. We hope you find it full of helpful information, motivation, creativity, serious facts and positivity. We hope that it will help you know what is happening in our center, in our community and with our events. We hope you follow our blog in support of our organization and our mission. Archives
October 2024
Categories
All
|
|
CAREER opportunities © 2024 Beacon of Hope Crisis Center Privacy Policy Accessibility Statement Training Portal Login |