A decade after Cleveland’s Imperial Avenue tragedy, it’s not too late to enact change.
When tragedy happens, it can be hard to find hope in the midst of grief, anger, loss and suffering. Sometimes, the best we can hope for is to learn from the past to prevent similar tragedies from happening in the future.
Ten years ago, on October 29, 2009, the world’s eyes turned to Cleveland with the discovery of 11 murdered women, all who died by the hands of convicted rapist Anthony Sowell. This was not the first time the Cleveland Division of Police learned of Sowell’s brutality. Long before that day, they had received multiple reports from survivors that he had raped them. Because the survivors weren’t believed, and their cases did not receive thorough investigations, this predator was left free to harm and kill others.
Tonia Carmichael, Nancy Cobbs, Tishana Culver, Crystal Dozier, Telacia Fortson, Amelda Hunter, Leshanda Long, Michelle Mason, Kim Yvette Smith, Diane Turner, and Janice Webb were not just cases, victims or names. They were mothers, daughters, sisters and cousins. They left behind families and friends who loved them – who still mourn them.
In the aftermath of unthinkable crimes, the City of Cleveland convened the Special Commission on Missing Persons and Sex Crimes Investigations to make recommendations about how to improve response. Further, an external audit by the Police Executive Research Forum produced a report that included 13 recommendations related to the Division’s Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit. Each effort was rooted in hope that a catastrophe like this would never happen again.
Yet, after some initial momentum the efforts of these groups and their related recommendations were largely forgotten. Public attention moved to other areas of concern. The City failed to dedicate additional resources to sex crimes investigations, and rape survivors continue to face an inadequate response when they report crimes.
This is especially concerning because we know that women and children are the most vulnerable to rape and sexual abuse, as are people of color, those who live in poverty and those who suffer from addiction or mental illness. These same factors seem to make it more likely for our criminal justice system to re-victimize survivors by not believing them, not fully investigating their cases and not helping them find a path to healing and justice.
A special series in The Plain Dealer last month, Case Closed, profoundly chronicled the systemic failures of our criminal justice system. When Sandi Fedor, a grandmother who was raped by a serial sex offender, reported to the Cleveland Division of Police, her case was not investigated adequately; the perpetrator remained free and he raped yet another woman.
Ms. Fedor’s experiences – and the experiences of countless other survivors – demonstrate that we have not learned or acted enough to prevent violence, similar to the Imperial Avenue tragedy, from happening again in our community.
We cannot go back to erase the past or the pain and suffering of any of the Imperial Avenue victims or their families and neighbors, but we can honor each of them by enacting meaningful change that prevents others from being harmed in the future.
We must believe survivors when they come forward. We must ensure that the professionals who investigate their cases have the resources they need to do their jobs well. And, we must hold every offender accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Doing so reduces the chance that another woman, man or child will be harmed.
Now is the time for us to acknowledge that we can – and must – do better, commit the resources required and enact the radical change needed in our criminal justice system.
We have an opportunity every day to continuously improve. At Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, we are ready to collaborate to find solutions.
Let’s work together now. To honor the memory of those we have lost. To help survivors find the healing and justice they deserve. And to prevent similar disaster from striking our community ever again.
We Remember.
Sondra Miller President & CEO Cleveland Rape Crisis Center
# # #
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.
Call or text (216) 619-6192 or (440) 423-2020 or chat online.
By Sondra Miller, President & CEO, Cleveland Rape Crisis Center, Guest Columnist, cleveland.com
CLEVELAND — I believe you.
These three simple words can transform the experiences of a rape survivor.
I believe you.
This simple statement has the ability to negate the shame and self-doubt that far too many survivors face when reporting their rape.
I believe you.
When heard, this chorus can redirect a rape survivor’s journey of recovery – from one of fear and humiliation to one of healing.
I believe you.
When sexual assault investigations start with these three words, survivors begin to find justice and offenders are more likely to be held accountable.
These words are powerful. They are free. They are the start of a radical change that is needed within the systems and agencies that exist to support rape survivors in our communities, including at the Cleveland Division of Police.
Believing survivors is the bedrock of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. No matter what one’s life circumstances may be or how long ago a survivor was hurt, we believe you.
The Plain Dealer’s “Case Closed” series, written by Rachel Dissell and Andrea Simakis, was a powerful, firsthand account of what happens in the absence of belief. This sequence documented the journey of Sandi Fedor, a grandmother who survived rape, as she navigated our criminal justice system. Sandi’s incredible courage to share her story is commendable.
While we know that Sandi’s experiences are hers alone, we also know that there are familiar themes and patterns in her story. She turned to law enforcement for help at one of the most vulnerable times in her life. In return, she was ignored. Her experiences were minimized. Sandi was not believed.
These patterns are not isolated to Cleveland. They play out every single day and affect far too many victims in our region and across our nation. What is unique is our local community’s level of awareness of these systemic problems and the lack of change that has transpired.
Nearly a decade ago, the world turned its eyes to Cleveland when police discovered 11 bodies on Imperial Avenue. These women were brutally murdered by Anthony Sowell, a convicted sex offender. Some of these attacks could have been prevented. However, our unwillingness to believe survivors resulted in a sex offender going unchecked and more women being raped and murdered.
We must improve.
We have the answers. In fact, we have had them for a decade. In 2010, a special commission assembled by Mayor Frank Jackson delivered recommendations for improvements. An external agency audited staffing levels in the Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit and recommended increases. Yet, nearly 10 years later, only a handful of these best practices have been implemented. This is not acceptable.
The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center urges our city’s leaders to change that. Specifically, we call for the prioritization of the following improvements:
1. Increase staffing levels in the Sex Crimes &Child Abuse Unit.
2. Update policies and procedures to ensure survivors are believed and investigations are timely and thorough.
3. Ensure adequate training for all responding officers, investigators and supervisors.
4. Implement a case management system to track all police reports.
5. Commit to continuous improvement through the use of independent audits and case reviews.
To our city’s leaders: When you said any lapse in investigating sex crimes and child abuse cases was “egregious,” I believed you. When you said, “Sexual assault cases remain a high priority within the Division of Police,” I believed you. However, your actions have not supported your words and your lack of urgency has led to more people being hurt.
Now is the time to invest in improvements for survivors. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center welcomes the city’s partnership in improving our collective response. When we work together, meaningful change can happen. I believe that.
Sondra Miller is president and CEO of the Cleveland Rape Crisis Center. The Cleveland Rape Crisis Center receives modest federal funding in support of its partnership with the Cleveland Division of Police to provide services for survivors of rape and sexual abuse.
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
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/
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.
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.
Specialized Services will Help Women,
Children and Men Recover from Abuse
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.
# # #
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.
[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
