SAAM Blog Week 4: Communities Act Together

SAAM Week 4: Communities Act Together, Written by Courtney Dunkerton

In the aftermath of Helene we saw the power of community acting together, united in a common purpose to help all those impacted by the floods. Western North Carolina pulled together and showed up for each other until ALL community members were located and safe. We saw a statewide outpouring of mutual aid and support while WNC showed the world their persistence, resourcefulness, and grit.

The challenges included loss of any means of communication, information or emergency services as well as no infrastructure to deal with widespread flooding. Anguish over loved ones missing, scattered and isolated across the mountains and valleys was not helped by agitators who also showed up. These worked hard to spread misinformation, and to demonize and divide people for political gain. But the community response was stronger than the troublemakers. 

In the immediate aftermath, and in the following weeks, we listened to the needs and stories of the rape crisis programs that worked in affected areas and were amazed at the sacrifice of advocates who continued to show up. Some who lost everything still chose to be there to answer the crisis line. They understood the nature of sexual violence.

Violence affects us all. Sometimes, it is the violence of catastrophic weather events that leaves individuals displaced, unhoused, unemployed and unsafe while having to navigate the aftermath with the mental health impact of trauma or PTSD. Sometimes it is the invisible disaster of sexual violence that does the same. And sometimes they happen together, compounding loss and trauma. 

Sexual violence does not take a pause when disasters hit. In fact, the risk increases.

“The immediate and long-term effects of disasters heighten risk factors for sexual violence perpetration and victimization. They also create and worsen existing barriers to safety and healing for survivors and accountability for people who sexually offend. As a result, sexual violence often becomes a tragedy within the tragedy of disaster.”

Rape crisis centers respond to survivors’ needs, by showing up for survivors literally in any weather, and can significantly contribute to an individual and an entire community’s resilience. 

During this Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we want to highlight how communities can act together to value and prioritize the safety and wellness of every community member, just as our WNC neighbors showed us the way.

Together, we can open lines of communication and listen to what ALL survivors need. 

Together we can get assistance to the ones most isolated from resources. 

Together, we can practice statewide mutual aid.

Together we can build bridges and clear pathways to resources and partnerships. 

Together, we can remove barriers and confront misinformation with clarity and truth. 

Together, we can!

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has created the resource, Sexual Violence in Disasters that can help communities to act together to prepare for and ultimately prevent sexual violence in or out of disasters. 

Written by, Courtney Dunkerton, NCCASA’s Human Trafficking Program Coordinator