This article mentions sexual assault and domestic violence. Please be advised.
“A world void of sexual violence.”
Someone in the United States is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds, according to the RAINN, a national anti-sexual violence organization. However, this better world is the vision of the Sexual Assault Center, and they have a mission to turn it into a reality.
SAC was founded by two Vanderbilt University students in 1978. Starting with its Crisis and Support Line, SAC has since expanded to include counseling, financial aid, assistance with understanding the potential legal action and the SAFE Clinic, which offers rape kits and additional medical services.
While based in Nashville, they strive to provide support throughout Tennessee, as discussed by Lorraine McGuire, vice president of community relations at SAC.
“Our mission is to provide healing for children and adults and families affected by sexual assault and to end sexual violence through counseling, education and advocacy,” McGuire said.
The 24/7 Crisis and Support Line, (866) 811-7473, offers support for survivors of sexual violence as well as the people around them.
“It’s not just if you’re in your immediate crisis, it can be if you’re triggered by something you hear, by something somebody says to you. You can call and get the support, and they’ll talk through with you how you’re feeling and processing and also let you know of resources in your area to receive counseling,” McGuire said. “It’s also for somebody who’s asking, ‘How do I support somebody who’s just been assaulted? Whether that’s a child or a friend, what do I say?’ It really is a support line as well.”
There is also virtual counseling available through SAC for anyone living in Tennessee.
At SAC, education is seen as the most important element to preventing sexual violence, driving them to offer programs that start as young as elementary school. Rather than just focusing on unhealthy relationships, SAC teaches healthy relationship aspects to look for, such as consent. SAC also provides college outreach programs, including presentations to faculty, staff or students.
Have you heard of the “Red Zone”? SAC works to raise awareness about this critical period between the first day of class and the last day of Thanksgiving break when freshman female students are most likely to be sexually assaulted.
SAC has worked with various universities across Tennessee, including UT, offering staff education programs, discussions with Greek life communities and on-campus police training based on the wants of the colleges. Within UT, SAC has worked collaboratively with UT, compiling data from the Safe Bar program.
Safe Bar aims to reduce the risk of drinking through education, such as bystander intervention training or what to do when you see something happening in a bar or public setting. SAC also equips bars with drug-detecting cards and various other tools.
Alcohol does not cause sexual violence, but it can be a risk factor as it can reduce inhibition and increase aggression. Nearly half of the cases where women have experienced sexual assault involved alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both, according to a 2001 study published in “Alcohol Res Health.”
Here in Knoxville, there are in-person resources for survivors of sexual assault.
The McNabb Center’s Sexual Assault Center of East Tennessee offers 24/7 services for in-person care, and all services are free. SACET’s 24/7 crisis hotline, (865) 522-7273, can connect callers with trained advocates. SACET offers comprehensive support to survivors, including advocacy, therapy, sexual assault forensic exams and educational outreach.
“SANEs (sexual assault nurse examiners) are also available 24/7 to conduct hospital-based evidence collection after an assault, accompanied by an advocate who provides resource information and explains options for reporting to law enforcement,” Jordan Deshler, a sexual assault advocate at SACET said.
The Knoxville Family Justice Center offers connections to 33 organizations, such as the YWCA and the SACET, for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence. Further, the Knoxville Family Justice Center can provide information about the potential routes of legal action and help reduce the barriers that can make it hard for victims of domestic violence to leave their situation. Their support line is (865) 521-6336.
On campus, the Office of Title IX offers support and instruction about medical, safety and investigation options.
Title IX and the Center of Health and Wellness co-chair the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention team, which consists of 30 members both on and off campus.
“Together, we work to move upstream to prevent prohibited conduct before it occurs. The RSVP team is instrumental in lending their expertise to planning Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which is held annually in April. This year, Vols Walk for SAAM, the on-campus awareness walk, will be held on April 16,” Laura Bryant, the deputy Title IX coordinator for prevention, training and evaluation, said.
A world without sexual violence is a tall order, but the efforts of SAC and these other originations help to create a safer, more educated community in Tennessee and beyond.
