Today we are talking about courage as a sexual assault survivor in this difficult time we face as a global community. It may be that you are currently held captive in this COVID confinement or perhaps you are an adult who has survived sexual assault as a child. Whatever situation you find yourself in today, we want to help you heal from the most violating crime and let you know that there is help for you. Even though many services have been suspended due to the coronavirus, we can assure you that we are open and available whenever you need us. The courts are also open and there are safe places to retreat to. We have received a resource guide from the National Sexual Assault Coalition which we are going to walk listeners through today, discussing what is currently happening in our nation as far as sexual violence goes. What becomes clear is that all the programs in the nation are committed to finding new and innovative ways to serve victims. Even though we are not all the same boat, we are in the same storm, so connect with us so that we can support you along your journey to healing. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The situation of captivity and seclusion that some victims suffer during the pandemic. 
• A word of reassurance: all the helplines, courts, and safe places are operational 24/7. 
• Find out how you can reach out for help without even speaking a word. 
• How social distancing regulations have increased the risk of abuse for the elderly. 
• The current situation might exacerbate preexisting traumas in sexual assault survivors.
• The expected increase in the need for sexual assault services once the stay at home orders are lifted. 
• How we are collaborating with health care providers and administrative agencies to help victims during the pandemic. 
• Understanding that the everyday stress surrounding the crisis might trigger survivors. 
• The importance of realizing that no two crimes, response, and interventions are the same.

Tweetables:

“Courage is the ability to do what is right even when we are afraid.” — Shari Kastein [0:03:56]

“The physical distancing that we have been required to keep during this time, during this global pandemic, has increased the risk of abuse among many older adults who are now isolated in their homes and in the facilities that they may reside.” — Shari Kastein [0:05:24]

“Please know that it may not look like the services we are accustomed to but we are doing our very best to get programs to be out there to do what they do best—and that’s answering your call.” — Shari Kastein [0:13:18] 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Shari Kastein — https://www.sharikastein.com/

Shari Kastein on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/shari-kastein-65754339/

Shari Kastein Email — [email protected]

Family Crisis Centers — http://www.familycrisiscenters.org/

Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault — https://www.iowacasa.org/

Iowa Victim Service Call Center — http://www.survivorshelpline.org/

Iowa Victim Service Call Center Hotline — 1800 770 1650

Iowa Victim Service Call Center Help Text Number — 20121

National Sexual Assault Coalition — http://nccasa.org/our-work/initiatives-projects/national-sexual-assault-coalition-resource-sharing-project/