In April we honor Volunteer Appreciation Week, Crime Victims' Rights Week, Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. All are aspects of the advocacy work we, and many others, do everyday.
There are many examples that speak to all of these issues; recently words spoken in Michigan made national news. Words offering a rape analogy with a horrific message. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal. When I first heard the analogy I will admit to feeling furious, disappointment this message was spoken in 2022, and hopeful survivors of sexual assault did not hear this message as their truth.
I often say our agency is entrusted to serve the youngest victims in our community; we take the trust seriously. The young boys and girls who have been sexually assaulted, I dare project, have not experienced sexual assault the same way the rape analogy implied. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal.
We are fortunate to work with a team of professionals who would never imply rape should be enjoyed. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal. Please know if your child or young person is in need of our services for sexual assault--or any abuse or neglect--we believe you. Together, with our professional team, we will ensure your experience is heard.
To everyone who heard the horrific rape analogy, we value you, we stand beside you, and we will fight with you.
Kelly L. Schafer, M.S., Executive Director, The Voice for Clinton County's Children
There are many examples that speak to all of these issues; recently words spoken in Michigan made national news. Words offering a rape analogy with a horrific message. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal. When I first heard the analogy I will admit to feeling furious, disappointment this message was spoken in 2022, and hopeful survivors of sexual assault did not hear this message as their truth.
I often say our agency is entrusted to serve the youngest victims in our community; we take the trust seriously. The young boys and girls who have been sexually assaulted, I dare project, have not experienced sexual assault the same way the rape analogy implied. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal.
We are fortunate to work with a team of professionals who would never imply rape should be enjoyed. Rape is criminal sexual conduct, emphasis on the word criminal. Please know if your child or young person is in need of our services for sexual assault--or any abuse or neglect--we believe you. Together, with our professional team, we will ensure your experience is heard.
To everyone who heard the horrific rape analogy, we value you, we stand beside you, and we will fight with you.
Kelly L. Schafer, M.S., Executive Director, The Voice for Clinton County's Children
