Dear Survivors:
The last few weeks have been painful. The news. The social media posts. The politicians who had a lot to say about sexual assault, but were not interested in listening.
I am sorry for every moment when you felt like your story was challenged, your truth questioned or your experience ridiculed. We know it feels personal. It is personal. And it’s not OK.
Every time our society demeans, belittles, mocks, patronizes, ignores or vilifies a survivor who comes forward, it becomes harder for other survivors to come forward with their stories of rape and sexual abuse.
And we know that survivors are facing these same challenges here in our community. We see survivors daily who aren’t believed, listened to, valued, and who come up against barrier after barrier. We are committed to believing survivors when they come forward, and supporting them every step of the way.
The work of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has never felt more important. More than ever, we are dedicated to changing our culture so that all survivors are believed, supported and able to seek the justice they deserve – whenever they are ready and no matter how long ago they were hurt.
Preventing sexual violence is not only possible, it is possible within our lifetimes. But first our society must change the culture that silences survivors’ stories and leaves power and privilege unchecked. This is not easy work, but we are up for the challenge.
To those of you who felt safe enough to do so, thank you for using your voices to advocate for change. For those who have not yet decided to speak out, we support you in that decision too.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is here 24/7 to listen and support you and we are as committed as ever to eradicating sexual violence from our world.
Sondra Miller
President & CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
Call or Text (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020 or chat online today.
Senior Director of Educational Services Alex Leslie joined ideastream’s Sound of Ideas this morning to speak about how parents can talk to their sons about building healthy relationships.
“The testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Judge Kavanaugh has called into question our country’s handling of sexual assault allegations. We’ll discuss about how parents can talk to their sons about sexual assault, and how they can be allies against it.”
Full Audio: Opportunity Atlas; How to Teach Boys Sexual Ethics
“The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center received a record number of texts, phone calls and online messages Friday, after Christine Blasey Ford testified that she was sexually assaulted by nominated Supreme Court justice Brett Kavanaugh.
“On Friday, there were 60 contacts. All week of the hearing — Sept. 23 through Sept. 29 — there were 191 contacts, averaging 27 per day. That’s compared to a typical 19 contacts per day in 2018.
“President and CEO Sondra Miller said calls and messages are similar to the ones the rape crisis center gets every day — survivors of sexual assault struggling to deal with reconciling events today with the traumas of their past. That means working through flashbacks and emotions.
“When Anthony Sowell, nicknamed the ‘Cleveland Strangler’ was convicted of killing 11 women in 2011, the rape crisis center saw a spike in contacts. The #MeToo movement, which gained mainstream attention last fall, also led to an increased number of messages and calls, for months straight.
“Headlines and social media comments can be difficult for survivors of sexual assault. Survivors may be hurt by comments from coworkers, friends or family about Ford’s testimony and sexual assault in general, Miller said. Some people wonder whether it’s too late to file a police report.
“Miller said the increase in people contacting the rape crisis center is not reflective of how many people are reaching out to law enforcement.
“Miller said between 2000 and 2015, the center averaged about 7 to 9 calls and messages a day. That jumped to 13 a day in 2016. In 2017, the center averaged 17 calls and messages a day.
“‘I do not think the incidents of sexual assault are any greater than they were 10 or 20 years ago,’ she said. ‘I think people are more comfortable coming forward.’
“Miller said the rape crisis center was prepared for the increase, with staff and 80 to 100 trained volunteers on its team.
“The news events also lead to an increase in people wanting to help — volunteering time or requesting prevention programs. Miller said the rape crisis center received a number of donations made in honor of Ford.
“To see a Facebook Live conversation about the Kavanaugh hearings with Miller, click here.”
Continue Reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center receives record messages and calls week of Kavanaugh testimony
“The congressional hearings on alleged sexual assault involving Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh are having an impact on some Cleveland area survivors.
“The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center has seen an uptick in activity this week, said the agency’s president and CEO Sondra Miller.
“The average number of daily calls to the Cleveland rape crisis and support hotline in 2017 was 17 calls or texts per day. This week, there has been an increase in calls and text messages above that, Miller said.
“‘In the last three days we had 24, and then 34 in a day, and 19 yesterday. So we are definitely above average in terms of volume,’ she said.
“People can reach the hotline counselors by phone, text messages or through online web chat.”
Listen or Continue Reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Sees Uptick During Kavanaugh Hearing
“We’re hearing from people who are trying to understand how their friends and family members can say things that are not supportive of survivors. Sometimes they say, ‘They don’t know I’m a survivor, but I’m hearing what they’re saying, and it’s really hurtful.'” – Sondra Miller, President & CEO
Watch: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center handling surge of reports in wake of Kavanaugh scandal
Dear Survivors:
We believe you. We hear you. We see you. We support you.
We support Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, Deborah Ramirez, and all survivors of rape and sexual abuse. Your voices matter, and your experiences matter.
In a nation consumed with a lot of “talk” about sexual assault, please know that we are listening. Advocates on our 24/7 crisis and support hotline are here for you. Our role is to listen. To you.
Meanwhile, we are doing everything we can to change the conversation and the culture that makes it so hard for you to come forward, to speak your truth and to recover, heal and thrive. Even more importantly, we are working to prevent sexual violence from ever happening in the first place.
You didn’t deserve what happened to you. But you do deserve compassion, empathy and support. At Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, we commit to continuing our work to ensure that every survivor is believed, supported, and can recover, heal and live a healthy life.
Sondra Miller
President & CEO
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
“We begin with a conversation with Sondra Miller, CEO and President of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, to help answer some of the questions that have arisen this past week, such as why many people choose not to report sexual misconduct to authorities — or why some people don’t come forward with their experience right away, or at all.”
Watch Now: Listening To Survivors; MetroHealth Targets Food Insecurity; 200 Years of Frankenstein
“MAYFIELD HEIGHTS – Six-time gold medalist and activist Aly Raisman spoke in Mayfield Heights on Wednesday about the importance of speaking out about sexual assault.
“She headlined the National Council of Jewish Women of Cleveland’s opening meeting.
“Raisman made headlines when she came forward against Larry Nassar, the gymnastics doctor who sexually abused more than 150 women.
‘I didn’t realize how many people would listen, and how many people would support,’ Raisman said.
“Part of her lecture at Landerhaven included speaking to students from the area, encouraging them to come forward if something does not feel right.
“‘People like Aly are able to speak out, and they are inspiring our younger people. It’s not something that’s kept in the closet. It’s something that is out on the table. We are able to address it together,’ said Elaine Gilbert, the Co-Chair for the NCJW.
“In Ohio, one in five women will be raped in their lifetime according to the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. Of those women, less than one third will report it.
“Sexual assault is an epidemic, and it’s survivors like Aly keeping the conversation alive that are leading the change, said Sondra Miller, president of the center.
“‘It’s been pushed under the shadows and not talked about for too long,’ Miller said. ‘As a country, we should start believing these survivors and fully investigate their stories.’
“If you need to reach out for support, call the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center at 216-619-6192 or contact them online.”
Continue Reading: U.S. Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman encourages others to speak up about sexual assault
