"Let's Face it! Working Together to End Sexual Violence" April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

An impressive crowd filled the Seniors Center on Tuesday for the “Let’s Face It! Working Together to End Sexual Violence” workshop. In fact, so many people showed it left organizers scrambling for seating, but that certainly wasn’t a problem, is was inspiring to see that many people come out for the event recognizing April as sexual assault awareness month. The Three Sisters Program, Konon:kwe Council, Sexual Assault Resource and Response Team and Akwesasne ACT NOW sponsored the event. The event was meant to open a dialogue about sexual assault, what it is, what does it mean, and how it affects you and the community. There were several speakers whose main message was that there are several organizations here in the community that are ready to listen and help you.

Randi Barreiro talked about the Konon:kwe Council and introduced all the programs available and the contact people. Debra Martin, spoke about being a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) and the Sexual Assault Response Resource Team (SARRT). Konwahahawi Herne spoke about the ACT NOW program, on intergenerational trauma, how to share information and conversations about STDs and HIV. Karonienhawi Thomas is an investigator for the SRMT Tribal Police. She spoke on violence in our community, children living in violence and the need for a collective community mind to end violence. She showed statistics for 2013, and there are already 100 domestic incidents and 15 sexual offences, and it’s only April. Beverly Cook spoke on being a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, how they collect evidence at a hospital, the treatment for a sexual assault, referrals available, testifying in court and healing for the victim. She also explained how minimizing assault desensitizes the victim and how re-traumatizing the victim happens. Amie Barnes with the Haudenosaunee Coalition for Women’s Empowerment spoke of the importance of supporting the victims. Carrie Marlow with the Three Sisters Program spoke of being an advocate for victims of sexual assaults and domestic violence. She did a presentation on free apps to download, such as ‘Circle of 6’ and also how cases of assault are being posted on different media posts like twitter and youtube.

A brave young man spoke about being a sexual assault victim and how he found his way to healing.

Brochures and information were available. Emergency contacts are:

Three Sisters 855-374-7837 or 518-358-4406

SRMT Police Department 518-358-9200

SRMT Indian Health Services 518-358-3141

Child Abuse Hotline 800-342-3720

The Three Sisters Program can be reached at 1-855-3SISTER