This article was originally published in the Lynn Haven Ledger/Gulf Coast Gazette in October, 2017 as part two of three.
My name isn’t really Mary, but I need to stay safe, so that’s as good a name as any for this story. In the Spring of this year I was the victim of a sexual assault. But I put on denial as a cloak. At least at first. And there’s a big problem with denial, because it’s tricky in the way it keeps you from facing what’s really going on. If you continue in your denial, it tells you, the abuse can’t hurt you.
Then it happened a second time. I was reeling emotionally, and my brain spun out of control. The emotional toll it took on me and my child was horrific. I found myself homeless and suicidal. And I knew I couldn’t continue on this path. My precious child deserved better, and so did I.
I used Google, looking for help of some kind, and found Gulf Coast’s Sexual Assault Program. Out of my desperation, I called the 800 hotline number, and suddenly knew we were going to be ok. Because of my particular situation, I was afraid to go to the police, but when I reached out to the Rape Crisis Center, I was given the resources I needed to get over my emotional hurdle and begin the slow healing process.
Victim advocates have helped me with housing, accompanied me to the hospital, they’ve spoken with detectives on my behalf, and so much more. These wonderful victim advocates at the Rape Crisis Center know the steps to take and they help orchestrate everything to ease your burden.
Many times, as victims, we tend to think we have to go through it all alone, but we don’t. There’s a phenomenal resource available with caring individuals who will come alongside and walk your lonely, dark road with you. And it’s all free of charge.
Since July of 2015, the Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program has been available for any survivor of sexual assault regardless of age or length of time since the assault or trauma occurred. It doesn’t matter whether it happened last night or decades ago. And all services are provided at no cost. Our 24-hour hotline number is: 866-218-4738.
“Since the inception of the program in July of 2015 there have been over 200 calls to the Rape Crisis Hotline. Of those callers, many have received direct services by a victim advocate.”
The Gulf Coast Sexual Assault Program provides medical exams, psychological assessments, victim support services, and therapy, such as support groups, that are facilitated by victim advocates. These are open support groups and usually include some type of activity, like baking. Their purpose is to help victims of sexual assault work through the process and be supportive of them. Many relationships and bonding occur in these groups and then these groups, in turn, develop their own outreach to others.
Gulf Coast CAC and the Sexual Assault Program have seen positive transformative changes in the way victims of sexual assault are seen and treated from the local prosecutor’s offices, to local law enforcement. Victim advocates are also at times given the opportunity to do ride-alongs with the police.
Every month Gulf Coast CAC holds an Open House at their facilities where the public is invited to come and see the vital work that’s being done and the lives that are being rescued. Their next Open House will be held at noon on Friday, October 27th, at both locations, 310 and 210 E 11th Street, respectively, in Panama City. We welcome you to stop by, and then help spread the word.
Every April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and Child Abuse Awareness month, and Gulf Coast CAC is looking for additional Community Partners to help increase awareness. One of the wonderful aspects of these partnerships is that they are not costly to your business. There are different ways for you to become a Community Partner, and one easy way is to paint your door teal for the month of April. For retail businesses, you can display teal cut-out ‘ribbons’ on your windows showcasing the caring residents who have donated to the cause, like Sugar Boogers, located on Harrison in Panama City, will be doing.
“But…as bad as it was, I learned something about myself. That I could go through something like that and survive.” Nicholas Sparks
But it’s always a lot easier when you have an organization set up and run, and filled with caring advocates who stand ready and willing to bring you out of your nightmare and into the light of day.
Now that you know more about the Gulf Coast Children’s Advocacy Center and the Sexual Assault Program, you can help victims of sexual abuse. Remember the hotline number: 866-218-4738, tour their next Open House on October 27th, and if you’re a business owner, partner with them to paint the town teal for the month of April. You can visit their website at: gulfcoastcac.org or give them a call for more information at: 850-872-7760. And remember, because Gulf Coast CAC is a non-profit organization, they survive on your donations and fund-raisers to bring comfort and assistance to victims of sexual abuse at no cost to them.
There’s a whole lot of hurting out there. Help Gulf Coast CAC and the Sexual Assault Program make a difference for all victims of sexual abuse, and help us find a way to end the cycle of abuse for good.