Dear Survivors, Friends and Supporters of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center:
Like many of you, it has been difficult for me to read the series “Case Closed,” which was written by Rachel Dissell and Andrea Simakis and published on Cleveland.com last week and in The Plain Dealer special section today. The series follows the journey of Sandi Fedor, a grandmother who survived rape, as she navigated the criminal justice process.
First, to Sandi: I marvel at the mountain of courage that you have displayed. I am astounded by your resiliency and unwillingness to be deterred from holding your rapist accountable. I am in awe of your bravery in sharing intimate details of your story with Rachel and Andrea, and thus with each of us. And I am sorry that you were harmed by not only a ‘monster,’ but also by the service providers and systems that exist to help you. You did not deserve this. Your selflessness in telling your story publicly is inspiring and shall not be in vain.
Second, to Survivors of rape and sexual abuse: I suspect that hearing about Sandi’s experience may be triggering for you. While Sandi’s story is hers alone, there are familiar details, themes and patterns. Certain pieces may resonate loudly for you. Please know that you and your story are important, too. If you want support, please call, text or chat with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s 24/7 Crisis and Support Hotline: (216) 619-6192 or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat. We are here for you.
Third, to the individual professionals whose job it is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse and hold offenders accountable: We can – and must – do better. Yes, the work is hard. Yes, we need more resources. However, the foundation of helping a survivor recover and heal from sexual assault is to simply start by believing her or his experiences. Each of us must look in the mirror and ask ourselves what more we can do. We must not allow what has happened to Sandi to happen to any more women, men or children who muster the courage to report their sexual assault.
Fourth, to our City’s leaders: The path to improving our collective response to survivors of sexual violence is not a secret. We have the answers. We have the recommendations. We have the tools. We have the knowledge. And I believe we can find the resources. What we have lacked is the will to make it happen. I offer you Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s time, expertise and resources to right the wrongs that have happened to Sandi and so many other survivors.
Last, to those who are wondering what they can do to help: It is up to us to generate the political will necessary to bring about the changes we desire. That starts with what Sandi has bravely modeled for us – using our voices – and needs to continue from each person who is impacted by what they read this week. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will continue using our voice to advocate for a trauma-informed and victim-centered community response to sexual violence.
Change starts with you. Change starts with me. Change must start here and now.
Sondra Miller
President & CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Need support now?
Trained advocates are available 24/7 on our Crisis & Support Hotline.
Survivors of rape and sexual abuse can now access counseling, support groups, assistance with reporting and criminal justice processes, as well as other healing services at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s new Shaker Square Office. The new office location, at 13209 Shaker Square, Cleveland, OH 44120, is now open and serving survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sex trafficking.
“While Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has expended services regionally over the past few years, we know that there are many survivors in Cleveland who have yet to access healing services,” said Sondra Miller, President & CEO, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “African-American women experience sexual violence at a higher rate than other groups, and more than 80% of residents near Shaker Square are African-American. By opening this office, we hope to provide a safe, accessible healing space for African-American survivors to access services.”
The new office location at Shaker Square will provide counseling, victim assistance services, case management, Project STAR (Sex Trafficking Advocacy and Recovery) services for survivors of sex trafficking, and community outreach – at no cost to clients.
The office is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Survivors and their loved ones can learn more, and make an appointment to access healing services at the Shaker Square Office by calling (216) 619-6192 or visiting clevelandrapecrisis.org.
The Center signed a lease agreement in March with the Coral Group for the 4,890 square-foot space for 13209 Shaker Square in Cleveland, the space between CVS and the future Biggby Coffee in the northeast quadrant of the square.
The new office location is made possible thanks to funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victim Services Division, that was announced last year.
“Getting a rapist or abuser off the street and behind bars is only the beginning of justice,” said Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. “Until the victim has become a survivor, until her voice has been heard and she has found a path to healing, justice has not yet been done. We value our partnership with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center because they finish the job that the police and the courts begin – the doing of justice.”
With the opening of this new office, the Center now operates in 22 locations throughout Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula Counties.
About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
The mission of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change. In 2018, the Center provided counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services to 10,000 rape and sexual abuse survivors and reached 54,000 people through its prevention, education and training programs in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties. For more information, visit clevelandrapecrisis.org or call 216-619-6194. The Center’s 24-hour Crisis & Support Hotline is 216-619-6192 (call/text) or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.
CLEVELAND — With students back on college campuses, experts say there’s more to worry about than new classes. The first six weeks of the school year are known as the “red zone” because of a spike in reports of sexual assault during the period.
“The statistics on undergraduate sexual assault are pretty staggering,” said Sarah Trimble, Chief External Affairs Officer for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Research from the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network found 23% of female students and 5% of male students experience sexual assault as undergraduates.
The danger is heightened for new students at the start of the school year, the red zone, when students haven’t yet developed a strong safety net and face new social pressures, including with alcohol and sex.
“Commonly, we find that instances of rape and sexual assault include binge drinking, encouragement to participate in a hook-up culture on campus,” Trimble said.
Attorneys Kristina Supler and Susan Stone, co-chairs of the Student & Athlete Defense group at the law firm Kohrman Jackson & Krantz, represent students in sexual assault cases, which can involve criminal and university proceedings.
They said there’s increased awareness about the issue among students.
“With the impact of #MeToo on college campuses, it’s changed the landscape surrounding consent and sexual experiences in general,” Supler said.
Colleges have policies and train incoming students about sexual harassment, assault and consent.
Stone said parents need to talk to their kids about healthy relationships, the risk and potential consequences of sexual encounters, and the need for sober and verbal consent.
“Parents need to say the issue of sexual assault is going to be top of mind, and because it’s the elephant in the room, or the elephant in the bar, you need to be careful,” Stone said.
Supler said parents should have an updated “sex talk” with college-bound children to discuss consent, drugs and alcohol.
“Consent should be an ongoing discussion, should be communication with a sexual partner,” she said.
Experts also said students should look out for each other and have a plan to speak up about dangerous situations.
Stone said anyone who feels they are the victim of sexual assault should talk to a trusted advisor on campus. Additionally, she said that a student accused of sexual assault should consult with someone who can give sound advice before giving a statement.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has a 24/7 Crisis and Support Hotline at 216-619-6192 (text or call) or visit clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.
Information about help for survivors on local college campuses is available at clevelandrapecrisis.org/services/campus-services/
This article was originally published by Fox 8.
Continue Reading: Red Zone: First weeks of college most dangerous for sexual assault
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is proud to be named a 2019 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio by The Plain Dealer. Top Workplaces are named based on employee feedback gathered via anonymous survey.
The Center received special recognition as the highest scorer in the area of “Meaningfulness.” An anonymous employee shared on the survey “I feel personally and professionally connected to my work at CRCC. This motivates me to remain engaged.”
“Every day, our staff members go above and beyond to provide the level of excellent services that survivors of rape and sexual abuse in our community deserve,” said Sondra Miller, President & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “We’re proud to receive this recognition as a 2019 Top Workplace in Northeast Ohio.”
The 2019 Top Workplaces list includes 150 companies and organizations in three categories: Small business, medium business and large business, based on the number of employees.
Come work for a top workplace! View a list of open positions at Cleveland Rape Crisis Center.
Since 1974, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has offered services to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse in our community. Watch our new agency video above to learn more about our mission to support survivors, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change.
Our services for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones include a crisis and support hotline, hospital support, victim assistance in the justice system, counseling and more.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has opened a new office at 8334 Mentor Avenue in the City of Mentor, thanks to funding from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office that was announced in October. WomenSafe, an organization dedicated to providing emergency shelter and resources to survivors of domestic violence throughout Northeast Ohio, will also provide counseling and outreach services out of the new Mentor Office location.
The new Mentor Office will make comprehensive healing services for survivors of rape, sexual abuse and sex trafficking, as well as counseling for survivors of domestic violence, more accessible to residents who live or work in Lake County. Both Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and WomenSafe have provided counseling services inside the offices of Beacon Health in Mentor since 2014.
“This new standalone office allows both organizations to expand services to meet the growing demand we’ve seen in Lake County,” said Sondra Miller, president & CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. “Survivors of sexual and domestic violence deserve access to healing services, no matter where they live.”
In the new location, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center will provide individual and group counseling, victim advocacy services, support for victims of human trafficking, crisis intervention, community outreach, education and professional training. Specialized counseling and outreach services will be available to victims of domestic violence, courtesy of WomenSafe. Grants from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Lake County ADAMHS Board allow this help to be available at no cost to those who use it.
“We’re proud that Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and WomenSafe are providers in our Lake County ADAMHS network,” said Kim Fraser, Executive Director of Lake County ADAMHS Board. “We applaud this move because it will improve access to vital services for local survivors of rape, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.”
“Our partnership with Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has flourished over the past five years,” added Andrea Gutka, chief executive officer of WomenSafe. “Our services are distinct, but complimentary. It makes sense that we can offer them side-by-side in one safe, nurturing and trauma-informed environment.”
Nearly 1 in 5 women and 1 in 71 men in the U.S. have been raped at some time in their lives[i]. Rape is one of the most under-reported crimes, with nearly two-thirds of rapes never reported, and only 12 percent of child sexual abuse reported to authorities[ii].
The new office location is made possible by funding through the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) program administered by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, Crime Victim Services Division.
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About Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
The mission of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, promote healing and prevention, and advocate for social change. In 2018, the Center provided counseling, advocacy and crisis intervention services to 10,000 rape and sexual abuse survivors and reached 54,000 people through its prevention, education and training programs in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga and Lake counties. For more information, visit clevelandrapecrisis.org/mentor or call 216-619-6194. The Center’s 24-hour Crisis & Support Hotline is 216-619-6192 (call/text) or clevelandrapecrisis.org/chat.
About WomenSafe
WomenSafe’s mission is to provide emergency shelter and resources to survivors of domestic violence throughout Northeast Ohio. As part of that mission, WomenSafe has been able to expand outreach services to include counseling, outreach, and additional presence in the schools and courts in Lake County, notably through the support of the Lake County ADAMHS Board.
About Lake County ADAMHS Board
The Lake
County Alcohol, Drug Addiction, and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board plans, funds, monitors, and evaluates services available for Lake County
residents who are dealing with mental illness and/or substance-use disorders.
[i] Black, M. C., Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S .G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., … Stevens, M. R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 summary report. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf
[ii] Hanson, R. F., Resnick, H. S., Saunders, B. E., Kilpatrick, D. G., & Best, C. (1999). Factors related to the reporting of childhood rape. Child Abuse and Neglect, 23, 559–569. doi:10.1016/S0145-2134(99)00028-9
The following is a list of events taking place in Northeast Ohio during Sexual Assault Awareness Month which Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is either hosting, partnering to present, or participating in, to raise awareness about rape and sexual abuse in our community.
John Carroll University: Yoga, Quad/O’dea, 6:00 p.m.
John Carroll University: Hu(man) – Modern Masculinity, Rodman A, 5:00 p.m.
Trauma Informed First Responder Training, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Balancing Trauma and Eating Disorders in a Therapeutic Setting, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
John Carroll University: March & Speak Out, Atrium, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.
A Girl Named C Screening and Forum at Cleveland International Film Festival, 4:00 p.m.
Cleveland Institute of Art: Sexual Violence is No Joke, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cleveland State University: Day of Action, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Terminal Tower Lights: The Terminal Tower will light up teal, the official color of SAAM, in support of survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
Wear Teal for SAAM: On the SAAM Day of Action, friends, volunteers, and community partners are encouraged to wear the color teal in support of survivors.
Kent State University Ashtabula: Film Screening and Discussion: The Bystander Moment: Transforming Rape Culture at its Roots
Baldwin Wallace University: BW Day of Action Consent Workshop
Roll, Red, Roll Screening and Forum at Cleveland International Film Festival, 7:15 p.m.
Roll, Red, Roll Screening and Forum at Cleveland International Film Festival, 2:30 PM
Cleveland Institute of Art: Campus-Wide Bystander Intervention Workshop, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Cleveland Institute of Art: Clothesline Project, 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The City Club of Cleveland Forum: Sondra Miller “Start By Believing: Why Preventing Sexual Violence Starts With Listening to Survivors” 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Purchase tickets today!
OAESV Advocacy Day: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is glad to support the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence’s Annual Advocacy Day to End Sexual Violence at the Ohio Statehouse.
Ashtabula County District Library: The Rape of Recy Taylor Film Screening and Panel with NAACP and Ashtabula County District Library
Cleveland State University: Healthy Relationships Workshop; 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Baldwin Wallace University: Rally Before the Reign; 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cleveland State University: Healthy Relationships Workshop – Queer Relationships; 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
The Faces of Change Luncheon raises awareness about rape and sexual abuse as well as financial support for Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Purchase tickets today!
Tri-C CCW: “Better than That” 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tri-C East: “Better than That” 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tri-C Metro: “Better than That” 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Tri-C West: “Better than That” 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
CANCELED: We regret to share that Girls In Motion 2019 has been canceled.
Mandel Jewish Community Center: Roll Red Roll screening, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Ashtabula County District Library: “Panel Discussion On The Topics of Child Sexual Abuse, Trauma, Recovery, Prevention and Resources”
Ursuline College: Global Perspectives – Social Justice, #MeToo
CLEVELAND — Authorities began looking at back-logged rape kits in Cuyahoga County. Some of the police reports connected to those cases have raised red flags, so now, more than 6,000 victim statements are receiving another look.
The language officers use to describe their interactions could unknowingly influence an investigation’s outcome.
“Sometimes they’re just using language that’s very common to describe sexual assault as if it’s a consensual act,” Rachel Lovell of Case Western Reserve University said.
Words matter. And the ones police officers choose when interviewing victims of sexual assault may have consequences.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are set to analyze more than 6,300 Cleveland Police reports.
“Here are the words, do these words mean something? Do these combination of words mean something,” Lovell said.
They’re looking for signaling language, or hints, that could cast doubt on the victim’s claims. Lovell said if an officer thinks someone is lying they will document it, but a lack of training plays a bigger role.
“A lot of it though is not really knowing about the neurobiology of trauma and how victims respond to a traumatic event. They’re confused by the victim’s behavior because in one sense she’s laughing and in one sense she seems in pain so they’re noting this because they don’t know what to do with these sorts of divergent ideas of what’s happening,” Lovell said.
That lack of knowledge could keep justice from being served. “If it’s peppered with all this distrust, our hypothesis is that it would obviously impact what kind of effort is put into that case and whether the case would proceed forward,” Lovell said.
Teresa Stafford, Chief Advocacy Officer at the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center calls the project at Case a game changer for victims and individuals in the criminal justice system.
“We see that across police departments where language in police reports may impact the case moving forward,” Stafford said.
Stafford believes this research will bring the issue to the forefront and be a catalyst to better train officers to remove potential bias.
“At the end of the day we want offenders to be held accountable and for communities to be safer and that process starts with that initial contact from that first responder,” Stafford said.
Lovell told News 5 better understanding the role language plays in how cases are investigated and prosecuted benefits the entire criminal justice system.
“There’s almost no training on how to write a good police report, yet they spend most of their time writing these reports. If we can make this process a little bit better then I think there’s a lot of good that can come from that,” Lovell said.
