The Voice of Southwest Louisiana April 2018 Issue

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Peace from Pieces WILL YOU SPEAK? By Carra Sergeant, LPC Licensed Professional Counselor April 2018 has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Embrace Your VOICE”. Sexual violence permeates our society. It happens every day, in every community, in every city, in every state and in every country. Its impact is so devastating, that it shatters its victims and loved ones at their very core. This month, I want to shed a little light on a very difficult topic. WHAT EXACTLY IS SEXUAL ASSAULT/ VIOLENCE? Generally defined, sexual assault/ violence is ANY type of unwanted sexual contact. Sexual violence/assault is NOT about sex…it is about POWER AND OPPRESSION. Lack of the consent is what distinguishes sexual violence/assault from consensual sex. Consent must be given freely and is more than a simple yes. Consent involves a dialogue about desires, needs and levels of comfort and is an active, sober, and verbal “YES”. Consent can be withdrawn at any time… at which point, “NO MEANS NO”. Forms of sexual violence/assault include, but are not limited to, any of the following: • Rape/Incest • Unwanted sexual touching • Sexual Harassment • Nonconsensual image sharing • Sexual exploitation WHAT ARE THE FACTS? The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) notes the following: • One in two WOMEN have experienced sexual violence other than rape in their lifetime. • One in five MEN have experienced sexual violence other than rape in their lifetime. • One in five WOMEN have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lives. • One in fifty MEN have experienced completed or attempted rape in their lives. • One in three GIRLS are sexually abused before the age of 16 years • One in six BOYS are sexually abused before the age of 16 years • An estimated 67.5% of all instances of sexual assault/violence go unreported WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE/ASSAULT? SURVIVORS: Each survivor reacts to sexual violence in her/his own unique way. Personal style, culture, and context of the survivor’s life may affect these reactions. Some express their emotions while others prefer to keep their feelings inside. Some may tell others right away what happened, others will wait weeks, months, or even years before discussing the assault, if they ever choose to do so. It is important to respect each person’s choices and style of coping with this traumatic event. SIGNIFICANT OTHERS: Sexual violence can affect parents, friends, partners, children, spouses, and/or co-workers of the survivor. As they try to make sense of what happened, significant others may experience similar reactions and feelings to those of the survivor. Fear, guilt, selfblame, and anger are but a few reactions they may experience. In order to best support the survivor, it is important for those close to them to get support. This can include advocacy-based counseling in an individual, family or group setting; information and referral services; and 24- hour crisis intervention assistance. COMMUNITIES: Communities also feel the effects of sexual violence. Schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, campuses, and cultural or religious communities 20 April 2018 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM Volume 5 • Number 9
may feel fear, anger, or disbelief if a sexual assault happened in their community. As with any form of violence, sexual violence tears at the fabric of community wellbeing. Additionally, there are financial costs to communities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice (1996) the cost of crime to victims is an estimated $450 billion per year. Rape is the most costly to its victims, totaling $127 billion annually. SOCIETY: Sexual violence endangers critical societal structures through climates of violence and fear. Fifty percent of sexual violence/assault victims lost or were forced to quit their jobs in the year following their assault due to the severity of their reactions. Public Health officials have noted that development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is likely in 50 to 95 percent of sexual violence/assault cases. Loss of potential lifetime contributions and achievements, as a result of sexual violence, is a cost to society that can’t be measured. WHAT CAN I DO? The only person responsible for committing sexual assault is a perpetrator, but all of us have the ability to look out for each other’s safety. Whether it’s giving someone a safe ride home from a party or directly confronting a person who is engaging in threatening behavior, anyone may be able help prevent sexual violence. It’s not always easy to step in, even if you know it’s the right thing to do. Some common reasons that we do not take action are: • “I don’t know what to do or what to say.” • “I don’t want to cause a scene.” • “It’s not my business.” • “I don’t want my friend to be mad at me.” • “I’m sure someone else will step in.” It’s okay to have these thoughts, but it’s important to realize that your actions could possibly have a big impact on the outcome of a situation. MY LOVED ONE IS/I AM A VICTIM. NOW WHAT? After sexual assault, it is hard to know how to react. You may be physically hurt, emotionally drained, or unsure what to do next. Recovering from sexual abuse is a process and sometimes a long one. There is no timetable and there is no “right” reaction. You may experience some of the following emotions: • Anger. You might feel anger for a number of reasons: towards yourself for not being able to stop the assault; or towards the perpetrator for carrying out the assault. It can be difficult to keep anger from affecting the way you communicate. Let yourself acknowledge this emotion and find another outlet to express it. • Anxiety. You might feel anxious about responding the “right” way or worried about how this event will impact your relationships. As a victim, believe that the assault was not your fault. As a loved one, reassure the survivor that the assault was not their fault and that you believe them. • Confusion. You might feel confused by what happened or why it has happened. Sadly, sexual assaults are more common that we’d like to think. • Disbelief. After a traumatic experience, it’s common for survivors and those around them to experience denial. It’s important to focus on acknowledging your/their story. • Sadness. It is normal to feel sad, hopeless, worried, or powerless. You might mourn how life has changed in light of the assault. Self-care strategies and coping skills can help you move through these feelings. LET’S CHANGE THE CONVERSATION How you talk about sexual violence/ assault matters. Become an agent for change by using your voice to shift how others think about and react to this critical issue. Victims are NEVER to blame. It doesn’t matter what someone was wearing, how they were acting, if they were drinking, or what type of relationship they had with the person who abused them. Healing and justice will look different for every survivor. Healing is an ongoing process. Everyone heals in their own time and their own way. To read more about sexual violence/ assault and its prevention, check out the following online resources: www.nsvrc.org www.sapr.mil/sapr-source www.centerforsafetyandchange.org Chances are that you know someone who has experienced sexual violence even if they haven’t told you. They are listening to how you talk about the issue, and deciding whether you will understand and believe them and help them feel safe. Sexual violence thrives when it is not taken seriously. Silence empowers the perpetrator. Speak up! Speak out! Don’t allow victim blaming/ shaming to go unchecked. Your voice is essential in setting the record straight on sexual violence. EMBRACE YOUR VOICE! Carra Sergeant, LPC PEACE FROM PIECES COUNSELING SERVICES For an appointment, call 337-515-6716 Volume 5 • Number 9 WWW.THEVOICEOFSOUTHWESTLA.COM April 2018 21
Page 1 and 2: April 2018 Vol 5 No 9 Spring Spring
Page 3 and 4: editor’s By Brenda Hill Spring pr
Page 5 and 6: SWLA news Editor’s Note: This ser
Page 7 and 8: SWLA health, wealth & wellness Info
Page 9 and 10: Welcomes Dr. Danielle Dixon Pediatr
Page 11 and 12: The new guidelines for pap smears h
Page 13 and 14: their lives. Almost 80 million peop
Page 15 and 16: Volume 5 • Number 9 WWW.THEVOICEO
Page 17 and 18: SOWELA Hosts Sixth Annual Women in
Page 19: Volume 5 • Number 9 WWW.THEVOICEO
Page 23 and 24: PHOTOGRAPHY Louisiana Reauxl • Lo
Page 25 and 26: Accounting • Assurance • Auditi
Page 27: Shaklee Healthy Foundations... Ever

The Voice of Southwest Louisiana April 2018 Issue

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?