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By: Savannah Tipton  This year's National Night Out events were a success, with lots of fun activities, experiences, and great company! It was great to see everyone relax and have fun. There was a variety of information and organizations present at each location. Some of the highlights included delicious food, snow cones, bounce houses, mini ponies, face paintings, caricatures, and so much more! Thank you to our law enforcement partners for organizing these wonderful opportunities for agencies, law enforcement, firefighters, and the community to come together.
It was lovely to see everyone present and enjoy each other's company on a beautiful summer day. We want to thank all officers for showing up to participate and creating new connections. We are so grateful that we had the opportunity to share information about our agency, our services, and show our support for our law enforcement partners. We had a fantastic time at National Night Out and cannot wait to attend again next year. -Beacon of Hope Crisis Center Team By: Cheyenne Taylor  Women across the world came together after the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape case in 1992. This case revolved around an 18-year-old girl that was raped by her driving instructor. He was prosecuted and arrested for the crime but appealed his sentence, claiming that they had consensual sex. The Italian supreme court appealed his case, saying that the victim’s jeans were too tight for the rapist to have removed the jeans by himself. So, they argued that she would have had to help her rapist take her pants off, therefore making the act consensual.
Angered by this judgment, Italian women protested by wearing denim jeans and sitting on the steps of the Italian Supreme Court building. Images of these courageous women spread, and the news of the case shocked people across the globe. In 1999, the first American Denim Day was held in LA. Since then, each year, people worldwide wear denim to stand in solidarity with victims of sexual assault and speak out about the harmful effects of victim-blaming, which often results in more pain and suffering for sexual assault victims. Our agency encourages everyone who supports survivors of sexual assault to wear denim this year on #DenimDay in honor of all survivors. Help is Available:
#WeSupportSurvivors #WeServeAll #WeBelieveYou #SAAM By: Cheyenne Taylor  Robert Ingersoll, an American lawyer and writer, once said, “We rise by lifting others.” Today, we want to discuss the ways we can help uplift survivors of sexual assault. We can start by changing the way society speaks about survivors. Common myths about sexual assault are harmful to survivors and can prevent them from getting the help and justice they deserve. These myths include beliefs that survivors “got what they deserved” or that they were “asking for it.” These thoughts are communicated through questions like, “What were they wearing,” “What were they doing,” or “Why did they drink so much?”
The truth is these types of questions focus on the wrong person. When a stabbing occurs, we never turn to the stabbing victim and question what they were wearing to make themselves more at risk of getting stabbed. We know that it is not our place to question survivors, and there is no justification for causing this harm. However, when speaking about sexual assault survivors, we assume they are lying – even though less than 2% of people are reported to have lied about sexual assault1. We also focus on questioning the survivors instead of questioning those who sexually assault people. Survivors are shamed so much that many do not report their perpetrators and many perpetrators go free. In fact, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison2. Survivors feel so much shame for being sexually assaulted, but we can work together to take away those feelings of guilt. Instead of questioning survivors about their actions and what they did to “deserve” trauma that nobody deserves, we can show support to these survivors. We can offer support by using phrases like “It took a lot of courage to speak about this,” “It’s not your fault,” or “You are not alone. I am here to help.” We can also continue to check-in with them and give them the time to grieve and heal from their experiences. We should also validate their decisions. Listen to them without judgment and encourage them to make the best decision for themselves and their health. Additionally, we can suggest local resources to help the survivor. Beacon of Hope Crisis Center offers free services like protective order filing, safety planning, employment and financial assistance, emotional support, referrals for housing, jobs, and much more. Our victim advocates are here to support you. Speak with a victim advocate by calling our confidential crisis line at (317) 731-6140. If you are in immediate danger, please call 9-1-1. 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: Shelby Bubnick & Savannah Tipton  Focusing on the positives in life can be difficult after experiencing trauma. An excellent way to lift your spirits is to write down everything you are grateful for. You can do this weekly or daily, whatever works for you and your schedule. Keeping a gratitude journal can improve your mood, make you more resilient, and can even help you live longer. It’s simple! Start your gratitude journal with five things you are grateful for. Repeat this activity at least once a week.
TIPS
By Sandra Ziebold  We're having a community event and want to invite you to come. Join us for appetizers, drinks and amazing raffle items. Come and see our new office and learn more about the domestic violence and sexual assault advocacy work that we do. #Denim Day Do you know the significance of Denim Day? WHAT STARTED DENIM DAY: In the 1990s, the Italian Supreme Court overruled a rape conviction, stating that since the victim’s jeans were too tight, she must have helped her rapist remove her jeans, thereby implying her consent. Due to this the women in the Italian government protested by wearing denim into governmental meetings. Denim Day was started in the United States by sexual assault advocates supporting victims. Denim Day signifies solidarity with sexual assault victims while protesting the misconceptions that surround sexual violence. Denim Day is held to increase Sexual Assault Awareness during Victim's Rights Month and to help dispel the myths and misconceptions surrounding sexual assault. The Centers for Hope will be sharing information about Sexual Assault on April 19th at the Indiana State House and will also be hosting a walk on April 26th, 2017 at Monument Circle. To show support for sexual assault victims Beacon of Hope Advocates will be wearing denim on April 19th and on April 26th (national Denim Day). We encourage you to wear denim too and to stand with us against the destructive attitudes which surround sexual assault victims.  By The Beacon of Hope Team Starting this Friday! February 24, 2017! 8:00 P.M.! This is an online fundraising competition set up as brackets just like basketball season’s March Madness, only with non-profits being able to access a wide range of online fundraising tools for each agency to use and personalize! In order to stay in the competition and move to the next round we need help from ALL of our supporters! Not sure how Brackets for Good works? Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jskPh8hBh_8 How can you help Beacon of Hope? First we need you to go to https://indianapolis.bfg.org and set up your donor profile as soon as possible; now, today if you have a couple minutes. Then ON THE 24TH text the “Free Throw Code” to the number BFG gives you and Lids will donate $3 automatically to us! Remember you need to text on Friday, February 24, 2017. Next we really need your financial support too! If all of our supporters can donate at the suggested level of $50 each we can raise enough “Points” (or Dollars $$) and move on to Round 2 of the Tournament! Regardless of the dollar amount you are able to contribute we appreciate your support at any level. Make sure you ask your friends and family to join our team and give to Beacon of Hope Crisis Center. Be sure to share on all of your social media accounts also. You can help us so much just by sharing and asking others to join in supporting us. Thank you in advance for your support and may many blessings come your way! Use the hashtags #BFG17, #BFGIndy, #teamBOH when posting about giving and why Beacon of Hope is your choice this year.   Denim Day is a movement to prevent sexual violence through education and public awareness. April 27th is a call to action for all people to come together by wearing denim as a visible sign of protest against sexual violence.
By participating in Denim Day this April, you can play a role in the prevention of sexual violence. We're asking community members, elected officials, businesses and students to make a social statement by wearing denim on April 27th. Wear jeans as a visible means of protest against misconceptions that surround sexual assault. A ruling by the Italian Supreme Court is how Denim Day came about. In this ruling a rape conviction was sadly overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped her rapist remove them, thereby implying consent. The women in the Italian Parliament joined in solidarity wearing jeans the next day in support of the victim. Denim Day was born. In response to this case a movement evolved and now this is an annual event and wearing jeans on this day is a symbol of protest against erroneous and destructive attitudes about sexual assault. An L.A. social service agency was the first to establish a Denim Day in the US. Everyone on the Beacon of Hope team is wearing denim on #DenimDay April 27th to show our support and to do our part to help raise awareness and dispel harmful misinformation about sexual violence and survivors. Join us in raising awareness about sexual violence and consider donating funds to support our victim advocacy programs to help survivors. Invite others to wear jeans along with us for a day. Donations can be made online or can be sent to: Beacon of Hope Center for Women, Inc., P.O. Box 34318, Indianapolis, IN 46234. If you have any questions, contact us at (317)731-6131. If you are in crisis, call our hotline at (317)731-6140. For specific questions related to Sexual Assault ask to speak with our Director of Victim Advocacy Services. Thank you for showing your support for services for survivors of sexual assault on Denim Day, throughout Sexual Assault Awareness Month and all year round! Your participation on #DenimDay does the following: 1. Creates a supportive force field that makes it possible for sexual assault survivors to reach out for help 2. Promotes prevention through education 3. Encourages change both at an institutional and societal level 4. Makes a statement and when enough of us do it; we make a massive statement Thanks for making a positive difference! |
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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
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