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

Grief of the 81 percent

Written by Hannah Preston, MPH

TW: Suicidal Ideation, Sexual violence, Eating disorders

While I could share the graphic details of how I became part of that statistic, I’m going to focus on something arguably worse: the grief that follows from that day forward. After a sexual assault, there is so much to grieve, and this grief comes in stages. It feels different and changes over time. The grief feels like a thick layer of grime on your skin. It feels like shame, sadness, hopelessness, but regardless of how hard you scrub, cry, mourn, or yell, it never truly goes away.

This might sound odd to someone who has never experienced such a heinous act. Of course, the act itself is horrifying, but what makes the aftermath so difficult? The grief that you feel is all-consuming. It shows up in the body in unexpected ways. The pain is not confined to just that one day; it lingers every day afterward.

Grief for the past, present, and future

I grieve the person I was before my first sexual assault. I carry the grief of losing my sense of power. I grieve how easily it was for someone to take a part of me, to steal my power from me entirely.

I grieve what I wish I could have told my 19-year-old self after it first happened, to reassure her that it wasn’t her fault. I grieve for my 21-year-old self, wishing I could say to her that she should be allowed to go out with friends without the worry of being taken advantage of.

I grieve that I now have to look over my shoulder while walking down the street, and I hold my breath if I am alone in an elevator with a man. Before, I didn’t have to learn breathing exercises to help with panic attacks. Before, I didn’t see my abusers in every man I drove by on the road. Before, I wasn’t scared. I grieve the phone call I made to my dad when I had to let him know that I walk to a coffee shop every morning, just in case one day I don’t show up, so there would be someone who would know to look for me. I grieve the look on others’ faces when I tell them what happened to me. I grieve the adults and institutions that wrote off what happened to me. I grieve being part of the statistic. I hate that I am part of the 81 percent. Even more so, I hate that the statistic is 81 percent. I wish we all didn’t have this in common, and that more stories were far and few between.

Grief in the Body

Grief never shows up in the way you expect. You can go through all the therapy in the world, and then, unexpectedly, on a wonderful day, you find yourself right back to that attack. After my sexual assault, grief manifested in many ways—not just emotionally but physically as well. The trauma I experienced resulted in a PTSD diagnosis, as well as anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Grief after my encounters made me a shell of who I was. Looking back, I was so deeply depressed. I was in the middle of not wanting to be here, but not wanting to die either. Some days, the highlight and lowlight of my day would be getting out of bed to simply brush my teeth and change my clothes, because that’s all I would do in a day. I would spend the remainder of the day in bed.

Grief also affected my relationship with food. I went through cycles of eating, not eating, overeating, and then repeating these patterns. I would go through similar phases with alcohol, not drinking, social drinking, drinking every night, and repeat. I felt constantly on edge. In the beginning, whenever I went out in public, I would shake and tremble, continually scanning the room for the person who hurt me. For the first three years, I experienced vivid night terrors, which weren’t always about my assault. Sometimes, I would dream about a loved one dying in front of me, someone I couldn’t save, or about a natural disaster—each dream sharing a common theme: powerlessness.

This all caused me to do poorly in school. I was initially afraid to tell my program that I had just gotten into my dream graduate program, in my dream field. The trauma caused me to almost fail out of school, and I was placed on academic probation, which caused even more grief and shame. I had just gotten my dream program, and I felt so much shame to have let someone else cause trauma that resulted in my poor academic performance.

Managing Grief

It has been five years since my first sexual assault and two years since my second. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to managing grief, but I can tell you that today, I am the healthiest I have ever been. I didn’t think living a life like this, filled with hopefulness, healthy relationships, and a true sense of self, was possible after my sexual assaults. I didn’t get to the place I am today easily.

The first step was acknowledging that it happened. I didn’t want to believe it; it was too painful. But once I accepted the pain, I opened a door to process and heal. It was one of the hardest choices, but it was worth it. The journey to healing is complicated and emotionally taxing. But I promise you it is so worth it. A considerable part of this step is identifying your support system. You cannot do this work alone, and you shouldn’t have to. Find your safe places, your support systems who can help pick you up on the days that you want to waste away, people who can help you through your journey. I found my people through close friends, an incredible therapist, and trauma advocates at my university.

The second step was learning how to reset my nervous system. After such an event, you will be under constant stress, which causes your nervous system to be on high alert.  Learning to regulate and reset your nervous system is crucial. I do this now through simple things like coloring before bed, and having a routine when I feel panic attacks coming on.

The other saving grace was therapy. I do not think I would be here today without my therapist. I was able to have a safe, neutral space to process what had happened to me. I did and continue to do various kinds of therapy. I do talk therapy, the most common kind of therapy, paired with EMDR and Brain Spotting. These types of therapy are not for everyone. But for me, I found EMDR and Brain spotting to be a way to process my most profound trauma in a way that no longer has me bawling on the floor in a panic attack. It completely dissolved my most jarring triggers around my trauma.

Grief is complicated, grief is unforgiving. Healing from trauma is challenging and complex. But know you are not alone in your journey.

As an advocate who has worked with survivors of sexual and domestic violence for over a decade, I truly believe the only way to eradicate gender-based violence, is to Learn, Act and Change. It is EVERYONE’S responsibility to learn the dynamics and nuances surrounding sexual violence. To learn that the 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men will experience some form of sexual violence. To learn that any person can experience or perpetrate sexual violence. To take the time to learn that oftentimes the harm doer is a person who the victim loves and has conflicting feelings on what justice mean for them. To learn that no one deserves to be sexually violated regardless of what they wear, had to drink, or does for a living.

Time to ACT! You can act by being an active bystander. Choosing what method works best, you can advocate for victims of sexual violence by doing something when you see something! You can act by advocating for legislation that protects funding and programming that provide services for victims and survivors of sexual assault. You can act by providing donations and volunteering for local programs that support victims and survivors.

CHANGE now! Change the narrative surrounding sexual violence and victim blaming. Change the narrative that perpetuates myths and lies that hinders victims and survivors from receiving the services needed. Advocate against processes that re-victimizes the person who has been harmed.

We lift up Sexual Assault Awareness in April. Let’s commit to learning, acting and changing every day of every month of every year to end sexual violence.

Written by LaTanya Foust, Culturally Specific Campus Technical Assistance Provider

We are thrilled to host two keynotes speakers for our 2025 Biennial Conference: Power Of Community. 

Teresa M. Stafford-Wright is a nationally recognized leader in the movement to end gender-based violence, with more than 25 years of experience in advocacy, organizational leadership, and systems transformation. As the Chief Executive Officer of the Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center, she leads one of Ohio’s most comprehensive agencies supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Teresa is also the Principal Consultant of Inspiring Change, LLC, where she empowers organizations and individuals to lead with equity, compassion, and cultural humility. A survivor herself, Teresa brings a deeply personal and trauma-informed lens to her work. Her voice has shaped local, statewide, and national policy, and she has partnered with institutions like the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the University of Tennessee’s Law Enforcement Innovation Center to enhance culturally competent responses from law enforcement. Teresa is the author of the memoir, Beyond Surviving: The Courage to Heal and Lead, and a contributing author to Sexual Assault Kits and Reforming the Response to Rape. She is a sought-after speaker, executive coach, and the recipient of multiple honors, including the Ohio Attorney General’s Robert Denton Special Achievement Award and the Visionary Voice Award from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. A passionate advocate for developing leaders of color, Teresa created Rise & Lead, an executive leadership program designed specifically for women of color working in the fields of rape crisis, domestic violence, human trafficking, and child advocacy. The program focuses on strengthening leadership skills, fostering community, and equipping participants to navigate and challenge inequitable systems. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice & a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Tiffin University, is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory® Administrator, and is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Tracy M. Stafford-Wright 

Rosie Hidalgo served as the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) at the U.S. Department of Justice from 2023 until January of 2025, after previously serving as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor on Gender-Based Violence at the White House Gender Policy Council from 2021-2023. She also worked at OVW as Deputy Director for Policy from 2014-2017. Currently she is a Visiting Research Scholar in the Human Rights Program of the University of Miami School of Law. She also is a consultant serving as a Senior Advisor at the Battered Women’s Justice Project with the Re-Imagining CCR Initiative. Rosie has worked in the movement to end gender-based violence for over 30 years as a public interest attorney and as a national policy advocate. At the outset of her career, she provided direct civil legal services through non-profit organizations in New York and at Legal Services of Northern Virginia. Prior to her work at the White House, she was the Senior Director of Public Policy for Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network for Healthy Families and Communities (now Esperanza United), a national resource center with a focus on providing training, research, and policy advocacy to prevent and end domestic violence and sexual assault. Rosie also served on the American Bar Association’s Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence. The daughter of immigrants, Rosie spent a total of 10 years as an adult living in three different countries in Latin America, including the Dominican Republic, where she helped establish and coordinate a community-based domestic violence prevention and intervention network and worked as a consultant for the World Bank on social services reforms. Rosie received her Bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University and her J.D. from New York University School of Law.

Rosie Hidalgo 

REGISTER For Conference 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time to increase public awareness of sexual violence and educate communities on prevention. In 2025, we join NSVRC’s with the theme “Together We Act, United We Change.”  This theme highlights the power of

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to reflect, take action, and commit to building a future free from sexual violence. NSVRC’s 2025 theme, Together We Act, United We Change, reminds us that ending sexual violence is not an individual fight—it requires collective action, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to justice for survivors. Each and every one of us has a role to play in creating safer, more supportive environments and preventing harm before it happens.

Survivors often turn first to their communities—not institutions—for support, safety, and healing. This is why creating strong networks of community care is so important. When we truly listen to survivors and provide tangible support like housing, food, or financial assistance, we are actively resisting the systems that often fail them. Community-led initiatives, such as survivor funds, crisis response teams, and peer support groups, create pathways for healing and resilience that institutions alone cannot provide.

This community-centered movement needs everyone. You don’t have to be a survivor to be part of the fight against sexual violence. We need educators, faith leaders, business owners, healthcare workers, and neighbors to step up, challenge harmful norms, and foster cultures of consent and accountability. We need people to have tough conversations, intervene when they see harm, and actively support policies that center survivors. Together, we can create a world where no one has to experience sexual violence — but until that vision is realized, we can ensure that those who do are met with care and unwavering solidarity.

Now is the time to act. Whether you’re organizing in your community, advocating for survivor-centered policies, or just supporting a friend in need, your role in this movement matters. Change happens when we show up for each other, not just in moments of crisis but every single day.

Written by Ellen Fiedler, MSW

March is Women’s History Month. Women have historically and modernly advocated for safer communities, free of violence of all kinds, including sexual violence. Women have used their voices, communities, experiences, and strength to lift up survivors, catalyze legal protections, and inform societal perceptions around sexual violence. Learn about a few of the many advocates throughout time who have dedicated their expertise and lives to preventing sexual violence. 

Recy Taylor

In 1944, Recy Taylor’s life changed when she was abducted and sexually assaulted by a group of white men while walking home from church in the Jim Crow South. Despite the men’s confession, the authorities refused to bring justice. In response to growing outrage, Rosa Parks and other activists rallied for a grand jury investigation. Recy Taylor endured threats and intimidation but refused to stay silent. Her bravery in testifying against her attackers marked an early moment in the fight for justice for survivors of sexual violence. Though the courts failed her, her courage continues to resonate with survivors today. In 2011, the Alabama Legislature issued a formal apology for their failure to prosecute Taylor’s attackers.

Rosa Parks

While Rosa Parks is best known for her role in the civil rights movement, her activism also extended to issues of sexual violence. After the Recy Taylor case, she became involved in advocating for Taylor’s justice and for raising awareness about the sexual violence that Black women faced. Her activism paved the way for many others to speak out and demand justice for victims of sexual violence.

Susan Brownmiller

Susan Brownmiller’s groundbreaking book, Against Our Will: Men, Women, and Rape, published in 1975, transformed social perceptions about sexual violence. Through comprehensive historical analysis, Brownmiller examined the cultural, social, and political factors that perpetuate sexual violence. She introduced the term “date rape,” which helped change the conversation around consent and sexual assault. Her work remains a touchstone in understanding sexual violence and continues to influence both activists and policymakers.

Mary P. Koss

Mary P. Koss’s landmark 1987 study, The Scope of Rape: Incidence and Prevalence of Sexual Aggression and Victimization in a National Sample of Higher Education Students, was the first large-scale survey on sexual violence prevalence on college campuses. Her research, which revealed the startling frequency of sexual violence, has had a lasting impact on policies and practices related to campus safety. Koss’s development of the concept of “rape culture” also helped shed light on the societal conditions that perpetuate sexual violence, informing a broader movement for change.

Amanda Nguyen

In 2016, Amanda Nguyen authored the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, which was signed into law by President Obama. As the founder of Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to codifying civil rights, Nguyen has tirelessly fought for the rights of sexual assault survivors. She also authored the Survivors’ Resolution, passed through the United Nations General Assembly. Her advocacy extends beyond legislation, igniting global movements to stop sexual violence and, more recently, to combat hate toward Asian communities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke, an activist and advocate since her teenage years, founded the #MeToo movement to bring attention to the pervasive sexual violence impacting women, particularly young Black girls. What started as a grassroots movement in Selma, Alabama, gained worldwide recognition when it went viral in 2017. Burke’s vision for a survivor-led movement continues to empower victims, providing a platform for their voices while encouraging healing and solidarity. Through her leadership, she’s helped shift the conversation on sexual violence toward justice and survivor-centered solutions.

Chanel Miller

Chanel Miller’s powerful memoir, Know My Name, published in 2019, gave a voice to her experience of sexual violence, the courtroom trauma she endured, and her journey of healing and advocacy. Miller’s courage to share her story has had a profound impact on how survivors are heard and treated in both legal and societal contexts. Through her writing and activism, she has become a prominent figure in challenging the culture of sexual violence and advocating for change.

End Note

These are just a few of the many advocates who have paved the way for sexual violence prevention. We recognize the important work that folks are doing every day, and from the local level to the national level, the work you do matters.

February is Black History Month, a time to recognize and honor the enduring contributions of Black individuals and communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the deep intersections between Black leadership and the movement to end sexual violence. Black advocates, survivors, and leaders have long been pioneers of the sexual violence prevention movement. 

The Legacy of Black Leadership in the Anti-Violence Movement

Black women have been pivotal in challenging sexual violence, often at great personal risk. Harriet Jacobs’ Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl was one of the first published accounts to reveal the abuse endured by enslaved women, breaking the silence on a reality too often ignored.

Ida B. Wells investigated and documented the false accusations and violence that threatened Black lives, showing how these injustices were used to uphold systems of power. 

Recy Taylor’s bravery in taking her attackers to court, despite their confessions going unpunished, sparked national organizing efforts led by Rosa Parks, who spent years advocating for Black survivors denied justice. 

Anita Hill’s testimony against Clarence Thomas shed light on workplace harassment, opening a conversation that continues today.

Tarana Burke’s #MeToo movement amplified survivor voices worldwide, turning personal stories into a call for systemic change. 

Their legacies remind us that the fight to end sexual violence is deeply rooted in history and must continue with steadfastness today.

Moving Forward Together

As we honor Black History Month, we must continue to recognize the inextricable link between Black leadership and the sexual violence prevention movement. True safety and care in our communities means ensuring that ALL survivors, including Black survivors are heard, believed, and supported.

At NCCASA, we recognize the transformative power of support services for survivors of sexual violence. Every call answered, every volunteer hour contributed, and every crisis chat initiated represents a step toward safety, healing, and empowerment. 

Throughout 2023-2024, 24,374 hotline calls were answered by dedicated advocates across our State, providing survivors with immediate support, safety planning, and referrals to vital resources. These conversations create avenues of care for survivors during moments of crisis. In addition to hotline calls, 3,100 crisis/support chats expanded opportunities of access for survivors to seek help in a confidential, trauma-informed way. These numbers inform us that more individuals—especially those who may not feel safe making a phone call—can and are receiving the assistance they need.

In addition to hotline calls and online support chats, 8,577 clients received in-person or remote services from local programs, meaning that survivors are accessing comprehensive care tailored to individual needs both throughout and after crisis. Additionally, advocates provided 2,446 support groups, with 21% of these groups specifically created for children. The utilization of these groups and services reinforces the need for both continued and intentional care. 

Local Programs Encourage and Facilitate Community-Building and Strength 

With 161,640.96 volunteer hours logged, community members across North Carolina have shown their unwavering commitment to creating safer environments for all. Volunteers do everything from staff crisis lines to organize prevention programs, and they play an essential role in fostering healing for survivors. The sheer number of volunteers across local programs and RCCs inform us about the peoples’ willingness to show up, as well as the collective concern for creating safer communities that clearly expand much further than the walls of local programs’ walls. 

Strengthening Communities Through Education and Training

Organizations provided 2,821 educational presentations about violence prevention, survivor support, and advocacy, ensuring that larger-scale impact is sustained in addition to direct care for survivors. In other words, local programs and RCCs not only recognize the importance of direct services on sexual assault response, but many of them also recognize the deeper rooted catalysts of sexual violence, for which sexual violence education is necessary for prevention.  Additionally, 972 professional trainings were conducted to equip service providers, educators, and first responders with the knowledge and tools necessary to support survivors effectively further expanding the impact of local programs and RCCs on professional, economic, and community development. 

These Are More Than Numbers 

These services are more than just statistics—they represent survivors across our State accessing the essential services they deserve to heal and the numerous advocates, volunteers, and community members who wake up every day with a commitment to care for their community–a safer one, in fact.

When we invest in survivor support and violence prevention by funding local programs and rape crisis centers, we invest in a future where sexual violence doesn’t harm a single individual–that is our shared vision. 

At NCCASA, we remain committed to uplifting these efforts and advocating for the continued funding and expansion of these life-saving services. We encourage community members to get involved—whether by volunteering, donating, or spreading awareness—so that every survivor in North Carolina continues to receive access to the support they deserve.

All data reported and sourced from Council For Women and Youth Involvement state grantees.

In the face of adversity, communities have the power to heal, unite, and create lasting change. The theme of our 2025 conference, The Power of Community, explores the vital role of community-centered approaches in supporting survivors of sexual violence and fostering collective resilience. We aim to deepen our understanding of how communities can work collaboratively to dismantle systemic barriers, nurture recovery, and implement effective prevention strategies. We invite you to join us as we examine how collective action and solidarity can pave the way for a safer, more supportive future. 

Do you have an idea for an interactive & engaging workshop that explores these ideas? Please fill out this form to submit a proposal! 

PROPOSAL DEADLINE: March 7, 2025

NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: March 27, 2025

NCCASA’s conference will be in-person and held in Raleigh, NC during May 2025.