Nationwide campaign teaches community members how to respond to victims of sexual assault

Learning how to respond when a loved one reveals that they have been a victim of sexual violence is critical.

That's why Partnership for Families, Children, and Adults is urging community members to "Start By Believing" throughout April as part of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The nationwide campaign is designed to change the way people respond to sexual assault in order to break down the traditional barriers of shame and fear that prevent victims from exploring their options and taking action against perpetrators.

"A lot of people don't realize the impact it would have if they just believed what [the survivors] are saying," said Brooke Tomlin, a sexual assault advocate with the Partnership, detailing the accusatory questions victims often face from friends, classmates or family members. "For me, I tell them, 'I'm not an investigator whatsoever. I believe you.' I genuinely believe that they just need to hear those words, and then that also helps with the healing process."

According to data compiled by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, one in three women and one in six men throughout the U.S. have experienced some form of contact sexual violence in their lifetime.

"If it hasn't affected you, then statistically, it has potentially affected someone around you - your family, your friends, your neighbors," said Carla Sewell, director of Victim Support Services for the Partnership. "Knowing more about it will help you to see signs, potentially. You can reach out to those who may disclose or want to share, and learn how to give them the help that they need."

Men raise awareness by donning red high heels for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes-Chattanooga March 30, which kicked off local efforts for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (Contributed photo by Mindy Kolin)

The Partnership's month-long awareness efforts kicked off on March 30 by Walk a Mile in Her Shoes-Chattanooga. The annual men's march has been raising awareness about sexual assault locally since 2010 by inviting men to strap on a pair of red high heels as they parade through Coolidge Park.

This year, however, both men and women were invited to join the walk, and participants were not required to wear heels to participate.

"We wanted the event to be more inclusive and we wanted them to wear whatever they were comfortable in because the message is more important than the heel," said Mindy Kolin, marketing coordinator for the Partnership.

On April 10, the program lineup will continue at the Family Justice Center with "My Body, My Rules," a workshop centered around body autonomy, grooming and safety planning as it pertains to sexual assault - especially when it comes to children and teenagers.

"We wanted to shed light on the fact that it does happen to younger kids and teens, and they may not always just come forward right off the bat and say, 'Hey, I was sexually assaulted,'" explained Tomlin.

Designed for ages 5 and up, the event will divide children, teens and adults into separate rooms.

Men raise awareness by donning red high heels for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes-Chattanooga March 30, which kicked off local efforts for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (Contributed photo by Mindy Kolin)

Parents will learn about signs to look for in their child's behavior if abuse is suspected, as well as how to have conversations with their young ones about body autonomy. For those uncomfortable broaching sexual topics with their children, the event will serve as a good opportunity to make sure kids get the education they need, Kolin noted. The age separation will also be beneficial for teens, who may feel more comfortable discussing sensitive matters around their peers than their parents, Tomlin added.

The next event in the lineup will be Trauma Informed Yoga on April 14 at Yoga Landing.

Trauma-informed care approach involves taking past trauma and coping mechanisms of an individual into account when attempting to understand their behaviors. The Partnership hosted a training session about the approach for bodywork professionals from physical therapists to Pilates instructors last week. But the April 14 workout will allow participants to see what a trauma-informed class looks like firsthand.

Taught by licensed yoga instructor and mental health services provider Susan Dendtler, who owns Redbud Mental Wellness, the session will offer survivors a safe space to reground themselves as they practice exercise and meditate.

Men raise awareness by donning red high heels for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes-Chattanooga March 30, which kicked off local efforts for National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (Contributed photo by Mindy Kolin)

"An unwanted touch in yoga can be a really common practice," said Rachel Alonge, sexual assault advocate at the Partnership. "Even if in no way is it done with any malicious intent of any kind, that can be something that can be triggering and retraumatizing to someone who may be uncomfortable with any sort of physical touch."

Alonge said she hopes the session will spark a desire to make trauma-informed practice more commonplace in the local community.

On April 30, the awareness campaign will come to a close with an artful meditation session at the Hunter Museum, bringing a peaceful sense of closure to the month's heavy subject matter.

"Sexual assault has been coming into the media more and more with the #MeToo movement and that culture that we've been a little more immersed in than normal," said Alonge. "We're just making sure we've created a time and a space where we can be surrounded by beautiful and calming artwork and have time to focus on yourself and your body and do a check in."

Email Myron Madden at mmadden@timesfreepress.com.