Sexual Assault - What Is It ?????

How many times have you asked the question was I just sexually assaulted? How many times have you thought, this doesn't feel right but were unsure of what just transpired? There are the blatant overt acts that we all know of as sexual assault but it is the ones that receive less attention that leave us questioning whether or not we were actually sexually assaulted. “Sexual Assault and abuse is any type of sexual activity that you do no agree to, including: inappropriate touching, vaginal, anal, oral penetration, sexual intercourse that you say no to, rape, attempted rape, child molestation. Sexual Assault can be verbal, visual, or anything that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact or attention.”(Womenshealth.gov) So many don’t know where to turn when unsure as to whether or not they have been victimized. If it feels wrong then it probably was, trust your instincts, trust your judgment, you know when something feels wrong.

Sexual Assault is very difficult to deal with and address. Knowing whether or not one has been violated makes taking the next step easier. I have found that in St.Lucia we are not all aware of the various forms of sexual assault. We have been told to fear those we don’t know and to be on the look out for the male abuser. Sexual Assault is usually perpetrated by someone known to you, and while the larger majority of sexual assaults are perpetrated by males, females can and do commit sexual assaults. We ask that if you are unsure whether you were sexually assaulted, that you contact us and ask any questions you may have. Part of what we are trying to do is not only raise awareness and provide information but to educate and provide support. We know that many are concerned with confidentiality and we want to reiterate that with us you need not be concerned about that. We are attempting to provide services desperately needed but not found in St.Lucia. We have started a rape support group and are opening it up to anyone who would like to seek aid on their healing journey. Many feel that they are alone on this journey, you are not sadly many around you are dealing with the some of the same things you are. Sexual assault has the distinct nature of making survivors feel alone, ashamed and guilty; we at PROSAF are here to let you know that while we can’t turn back the hands of time we can help make the future brighter. Suffering in silence is no longer the only option. Maya Angelou said” There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” You have been through enough, take the time to start moving forward and start healing. We have started conducting the second part of the study and welcome all who want to participate; we understand the strength it takes to come forward and share your story, we also understand that you may not be ready to take that step; know that we are here and that you have support. We are working  to make it better for you, for St.Lucians.

Sexual Assault is something that was done to you, you are not defined by it. There is hope for a better and brighter future. You can contact us even if you are not ready to participate in the study and only want to talk. We are here. You are not alone. We know Christmas is coming up and this can be a difficult time for some; feel free to reach out to us. 

TO THE WOMEN OF OUR COUNTRY

Sexual assault is a huge problem in St.Lucia and often it is downplayed as simply regrettable sex. We, Souyenne Dathorne & Velika Lawrence, find it necessary to encourage awareness in our community. We believe, that one of the factors affecting our society today is forced sexual intercourse. Over the past couple of years there has been quite a bit of media coverage around the issue and we would like to give you a chance to share your stories. There is strength in numbers, part of what we are hoping to accomplish is to show that you are not alone. We want to give you a chance to share your stories confidentially.

We have taken the responsibility of encouraging and demonstrating the benefits of actively fighting against sexual abuse. We understand that many people will find it impossible to speak up and speak out and protect themselves; by themselves. Our goal is to help survivors of forced sexual intercourse and to support them. We urge survivors to realize that the abuse endured, does not define you as a whole but is only part of who you are and the experiences you have lived through. We would like to empower you to speak out actively. We understand the decision to speak out is not an easy one and it is YOUR choice only, but we hope that through research we will be able to offer better resources to all who are dealing with sexual assault. We ask that you to come speak with us in a confidential environment. Our aim is to raise awareness and provide support.

We can be contact by the numbers on the bottom, through facebook or by email.

Yours Sincerely

Souyenne Dathorne & Velika Lawrence

We can be found on Face book:

PROSAF- Surviving Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean 

PROSAF_ThePower OfOne

Twitter: 

@Prosaf_Sueezzy

@VelikaLawrence

Website: 

http://www.prosaf.org

Email:

ssaitco@hotmail.com

thepowerofone_v@hotmail.com

Telephone

1-758-724-9991(sue)

1-758-723-6466(vel)

1-305-771-7019(us line)

NOT YOUR FAULT

PROSAF - SURVIVING SEXUAL ABUSE IN THE CARIBBEAN

Many have lived through unbelievable acts of sexual violence. This can be through force or lack of consent and what was done was wrong, but blame is too often placed not on the wrong-doer but on one-self. Many have been made to feel guilty, culpable, shamed for acts that were forced on you. I want you to know that none of this is your fault no matter what you were told. No one asks to be raped, molested, sexually assaulted or forced into sexual intercourse. I know how difficult it has been carrying this around with you wondering what you did to deserve this, wondering what you could have done differently; it is not your fault, there was nothing you did that caused this to happen to you. The abusers are the one at fault in all of this. While our culture isn’t one that understands what you have been through I am here to let you know that it was not your fault and you are not alone. There are many who have been through what you are going through.

Sexual Assault is a terrible thing to have to live through. But you are a survivor, and speaking out and letting it go is one step in the right direction, one step closer to taking charge of your life and moving from being a victim to a survivor. You are not alone on this journey, and remember this was never your fault.

Taking A Stance

To many of us don't get the help that we need. To many of us have no where to turn. To many of us are blamed for what was done to us. Sexual Assault - isn't something that anyone calls on themselves. It's unbelievable that someone would blame a victim for a crime like this. There has to be a time when ppl understand the nature of Sexual Assault; when ppl understand the damage is causes & the broken lives it leaves in its wake. There has to be a time when people put the blame, judgement, punishment where it's due. How can we excuse their actions, how can we blame victims. It is completely baffling as to how one can sit back and excuse the actions of a man who preys on children, who sexually abuses them. Or a man who rapes a woman, who violates her personal boundaries, who robs her of a chance of happiness. How do we excuse those people? How are we more willing to excuse their actions? How do we give them the benefit of the doubt, how do we believe a child has made this up, or seduced her abuser. That she's somehow complicit. How can we blame someone who was raped? How do we accuse her of asking for it or calling it on herself or of somehow enticing him? It is appalling that so many stand with child molesters & rapists, stand behind them proclaim their innocence or their lack of guilt even after allegations have been made. What kind of world do we live in? We question why victims don't come 4th- It is because they are blamed, it is because they stand alone, it is because they have no support. It's because we live in a society where they're allowed to roam freely. It is because society excuses their actions and blames the victims. I will continue to say that SA isn't something that we roll over and get over the after effects are lasting. Maybe people need to understand exactly what we have to deal with on a daily basis. How we feel, what we think, how we are affected. Mayb then- what more will it take to see where we are coming from; don't our stories and our cries for help & support mean anything?