“Bill Cosby’s sentencing comes just as the case against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh gets even more heated.
“Sondra Miller, president and CEO of Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, tells Cleveland 19 these media headlines have inspired victims to call the center.
“In fact, there’s been about a 15 percent increase in calls over the last week and a half.
“Some are even second time callers from years ago who feel this is part of their healing journey.
“This led to a national conversation about the reliability of past memories. Miller said, ‘I don’t think any two survivors have the exact same story, but we do hear from thousands of people who survive rape or sexual assault who say, ‘I don’t remember it all at once,’ or ‘It’s really fuzzy to me. I remember this certain little detail, but not the next three things that happened.’
“Dr. Ted Huey told ‘CBS This Morning’ that ‘there’s a misconception that emotion and trauma are bad for memory. The way our brain tags what’s important to be remembered is emotion.’
“Huey went on to say in these emotionally charged moments, trauma survivors sometimes have vivid memories of strange details like a sweater the attacker was wearing, but not their face. Miller says the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center gets thousands of calls from victims in similar positions like Cosby’s victims who are unsure what to do.
“‘It’s always a survivor’s choice whether they’re interested in counseling or interested in reporting to law enforcement. It’s not our job to tell them what to do. It’s our job to support survivors,’ said Miller.
“Miller reminds everyone these calls are confidential and the hotline is answered 24/7. The number is 216-619-6192.”
Continue Reading: With Cosby sentencing and Kavanaugh allegations, how are rape victims responding?
“In the weeks since Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court, two women have come forward accusing the judge of sexual assault. In response, some people ask: Why come forward now? Why are the details of the incidents so vague? Why weren’t the incidents reported to the police at the time?
“The alleged incidents occurred decades ago, and Kavanaugh has denied they happened.
“The set of details surrounding the Kavanaugh accusations — the fuzzy accounts, the lack of police reports, the long gap between the 1980s, when the women say they happened, and now — are common characteristics of sexual violence cases, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center CEO Sondra Miller said.
“Only a third of sexual assaults are reported to a formal authority, like law enforcement or child services, Miller said. Even then, it can take decades before a someone feels comfortable telling their story.
“Miller sat down with cleveland.com on Monday to discuss sexual violence and provide insight surrounding the Kavanaugh accusations.
September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month, a campaign that calls attention to safety concerns and violence prevention at colleges and universities. Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is proud to partner with many Northeast Ohio schools to promote safety and support survivors on campus.
Whether you are a student, parent, faculty, or staff, you can help build a safer campus community this fall. Here are four ways to promote safety on campus:
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center provides comprehensive services for survivors of campus sexual assault, available at our many community locations.
Take a few minutes today to learn more about services available for survivors of campus sexual assault. Help us reach even more survivors with comprehensive healing services by speaking about them in your classroom, posting about them on social media, or sharing them with your student organization.
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in educational institutions that receive federal funding. Under Title IX, discrimination on basis of sex can include sexual violence. Visit Know Your IX’s resource page to learn more about what this federal civil rights law means for college students.
If you are thinking about reporting your assault to your school or to law enforcement, our advocates are here to help. We will explain your rights and your options, and support you through every step of the reporting and investigation processes.
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center collaborates with local campuses in an ongoing effort to improve trauma-informed care and response protocols, raise awareness, and provide educational programs.
If you are a professor, administrator, or student leader who wishes to schedule a presentation for your group, please contact us with your request. To learn more about education opportunities outside of college campuses, visit our Prevention and Education pages.
Everyone can play a role in creating a safer, healthier community. Through bystander intervention, individuals are empowered to recognize and help prevent potentially harmful situations. By learning, using, and sharing the “Three D’s” of bystander intervention (Distract, Delegate, and Direct) you can be a part of the movement to end sexual violence. Read about How to Be a Positive Bystander or watch our recent Facebook Live conversation, Strategies to Prevent Sexual Violence, to learn more.
Thank you for helping Cleveland Rape Crisis Center and schools across the country build safer college communities this fall.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence—on campus or off, yesterday or decades ago—we are here for you. For 24/7 support or information, text or call (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020 or chat on our website.
“College students are back on campus, some for the first time. An important part of getting ready, beyond move-in day and a trip to the bookstore, is a frank conversation about sexual assault and the importance of consent in any relationship and throughout any sexual encounter. How should you talk about it with your student, young women and men, and what are colleges doing, or what should they do, to make campus safer?
“We’ll discuss sexual assault prevention on college campuses and why a change in guidelines for handling allegations is seen as a step back by victims’ advocates. And we’ll cover the importance of talking to our college-bound kids.”
Guests:
– Karen Kasler, Statehouse News Bureau
– Alex Leslie, Senior Director of Educational Services, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
– Rachel Lutner, Director, Office for Institutional Equity, Title IX Coordinator, Cleveland State University
– Dr. Lisa Damour, Psychologist and Author
See the full story: Sexual Assault on College Campuses; Understanding Consent.
“As students head back to school, there is some important information parents need to know to make sure their children stay safe.”
“…Experts with the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center said parents need to trust their gut.
“‘If something feels wrong, it probably is wrong,’ Alexander Leslie, Senior Director of Educational Services for the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center said.
“According to Leslie, 80% of the general population knows the abuser for cases of sexual assault. With children, that number increases to 95%.
“‘When somebody is in a trusted relationship with a young person, they may be pushing those boundaries about what’s appropriate. Maybe getting the focus more on personal, rather than the professional reason they are working together,’ Leslie explained.
“According to Leslie, the age of social media and technology can make it more difficult for parents to track their kids behaviors. He said, forcing regulations and restrictions on your child can actually push them away.
“‘The single best thing parents can do is get curious about their young persons online life and ask them questions about how much their online life is like their regular life,’ Leslie said. “
Continue Reading: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center teaching parents how to spot signs of sexual abuse in kids
“A recent letter to the editor in The Plain Dealer asked the question: How can we help young boys and decent men who want to learn from the MeToo movement?
“Most men don’t commit acts of violence; yet many of us tolerate behaviors that are harmful against women, children and other men.
“Where to start? Here are three actions men can take to prevent sexual violence:
“Many local organizations are doing great work, including Healthy Fathering Collaborative, Cuyahoga County Fatherhood Initiative, Passages Inc., and Cleveland Rape Crisis Center–all of whom are hosting an upcoming workshop for young men and their mentors on August 25 called Best Foot Forward.
“Our actions create community. Let’s each make a commitment to end sexual harassment and assault.”
Alexander Leslie, Senior Director of Educational Services
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
“Unfortunately, when we look at most of the recent homicides in Ashtabula County they all have a common thread — domestic violence.
“We don’t know yet who killed Rand Hilal al Dulaimi, but we know her estranged husband is a person of interest and we know she spent time at Homesafe, where those who knew her said she was working to escape an abusive marriage. In 2017, Sheila Pyles, of Ashtabula, was killed, and her boyfriend charged in her death — after she had taken him back following domestic violence charges. Kyle Starkey was convicted last year of murder after being convicted in 2016 of rape, and was reportedly a violent abuser to both victims…”
“As we have discussed in the past, it is important to reach out to those you suspect are being abused. Be supportive and express concern for their safety and well being, offer whatever they need — but patience is important in helping someone not only recognize they are in an abusive relationship but also to take the often frightening steps to leave their situation. When that time comes, contact Homesafe (440) 992-2727, which has resources and experience in domestic violence situations.
“If someone you know has suffered sexual abuse, the county also has an outstanding resource in the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center’s Ashtabula office, which provides access to services including counseling, victim assistance and support groups. Hours are by appointment, but someone will be in the office 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. To make an appointment, call 440-354-7364.
“Violent crime is a reality in all communities, not just Ashtabula County, but it is a problem that we must take on as a community by being supportive, listening and making sure victims know that someone cares.”
Continue Reading: Murder, Domestic Violence Linked
Cleveland Rape Crisis Center is pleased to offer Ambassador Training workshops that are free and open to the public. These educational workshops are open to anyone who wants to learn more about how to support survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and become more involved in creating societal change.
Please check back soon for additional workshop dates!
Cost: Free. Registration is encouraged.
Location: Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Main Office
See information about the event moderator and panelists.
