“We’re only as sick as our secrets.”
But when those secrets are exposed, there’s a better chance of fighting the darkness.
With that in mind, New Directions and Soteria House, part of the TCN Domestic Violence program, hosted the first Sexual Assault Awareness Ceremony for Logan County on Friday, April 28, at the Bellefontaine city council chambers.
Tammy Nicholl, executive director of Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services Board of Logan and Champaign Counties, started the ceremony. “For many victims it is years or even decades before they come to a place where they can tell someone about the abuse,” she said. “Shame is a powerful force.”
But in releasing the truth, victims can find healing and freedom.
Sadly, sexual assault is far too prevalent in our society. In his official proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Mayor Ben Stahler stated that, statistically, one in five women will experience an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime, and one-third of these first occur between the ages of 11 and 17.
“I do hereby urge all citizens to join with advocates and law enforcement to play an active role to prevent sexual violence,” Stahler concluded. “We all need to do more to prevent these life-changing occurrences from happening.”
Wendy Rodenberger, chief nurse at Mary Rutan Hospital, was on-hand to speak about the SAFE program, which stands for Sexual Assault Forensic Exam. Hospital staff began their training last fall and, to date, four nurses have completed the SAFE course, with another set to finish in May.
Friday’s ceremony was organized by Debbie Brownlee, domestic violence program manager with TCN. In their efforts to continuing advocating for sexual assault victims, New Directions and Soteria House is currently working on accreditation with the state coalition Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Assault (OAESV). In doing so, they will officially become a domestic violence and rape crisis center.
Brownlee spoke of putting the emphasis on prevention and believes joining this coalition is a step in that direction. Their next step will be to complete 40 hours of training in May.
In the meantime, Brownlee said, “We will continue to use our advocate on-call service for immediate assistance,” which will provide police, sheriff and emergency room care for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault 24/7. They will also continue to provide transportation and emotional support.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates of excellence to the detectives in local law enforcement who work to fight sexual assault. Logan County Sheriff Randy Dodds recognized detectives Adam Wood and Miriam Reams.
“Females already feel like a victim,” Dodds said. “We need to remember these are victims. We’re there to help them.”
Next, Chris Marlow, interim Bellefontaine police chief, honored Detective Dwight Salyer and Detective Blake Kenner (retired). Salyer stated 12 sexual assaults and four rapes have been reported in 2023 so far.
In her remarks, Nicholl quoted Proverbs 13:12a — “Hope deferred makes the heart sick.”
She added, “This painful, traumatic experience can be used for good when you allow the silence to be broken, when you see it was not you at fault, and when you can share your story to help someone else.”
For those who are ready to tell their story and break that silence, the OAESV is collaborating with StoryCenter to conduct online storytelling workshops for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence. They are currently looking for 15 survivors from rural counties to create a digital story in order to reach and educate local communities.
“It can be anonymous,” Brownlee said, “but it will be a beautifully done way to describe their experience.”
If you or someone you know is a victim, please call the Ohio sexual assault hotline at (844) 644-6435.