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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2014-05-21, Page 1616 News Record • Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Recovering from a sexual assault is a different path for every victim Special to the News Record In an effort to raise awareness and encourage healing amongst victims of sexual assault, the Huron Women's Shelter will be launching a series of articles this May in con- junction with Sexual Assault Aware- ness Month. The articles are intended to edu- cate people on the various forms of sexual assault and abuse that can occur and local services that are available to help promote self -heal- ing and moving forward Amy is a 17 -year-old girl who has lived in Huron County her whole life. When she was 14 she attended a party at which a long time school- mate sexually assaulted her. Ashamed, embarrassed, and too scared to report the assault, Amy withdrew from friends and family. Her parents noticed a change in her appetite and that she was sleep- ing more than she ever had before. Three weeks after the assault, her Father caught her self -harming, opening his eyes to the fact that something had changed with his daughter. After days of probing, Amy finally explained what had happened to her. The police were called, charges were laid, and a court date set. The accused pled innocent. As more people learned about what hap- pened, rumours spread, and school no longer felt like a safe place for Amy. Eventually, Amy felt she had no other choice but to drop out of school so that she could avoid the assaulter and his supporters until her court date. Removed from her friends and teachers, Amy with- drew even further. Soon, she had lost many of her former friends and found it more and more difficult to leave the house. The court date came and went without a guilty conviction. With only two people in the room, it is very difficult to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Amy never returned to school to high school. A few years later, Amy did on-line courses and completed her Grade 12 diploma, however, she is struggling to deal with the changes that occurred as result of the unwanted sexual contact. Amy is working to rebuild a posi- tive sense of herself and her future and is actively seeking both volun- teer positions and work place- ments. When someone is a victim of sexual assault, the assault is just the beginning of a long, painful road to healing. Although it is fictional, the above story hits closer to home than resi- dents of Huron County may think. Girls and young women between the ages of 15 to 24 are the most likely victims of sexual assault in Canada. More often than not, these assaults are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. If a victim is not able to find good counselling or strong family sup- port, a sexual assault can severely impact their future. Huron County is no exception to these statistics. Counselling is a crucial part of the healing process for many vic- tims of sexual assault. The Huron Women's Shelter employs a chil- dren and youth Counsellor who is trained and equipped to help young men and women who have been victims of sexual assault cope and eventually heal. The Children and Youth Counsellor's main goal is to help victims reclaim a feeling a safety in their lives and recognize that what was done to them is not their fault. This can mean one-on- one counselling, group therapy ses- sions, and support through any legal processes related to the assault. Whatever works for the victim is the priority for staff at the Women's Shelter and all services are available free of charge. Privacy and safety for the victim is of the utmost importance. Information will not be shared, and counselling sessions are only between the vic- tim and the counsellor. For some victims, sharing their story and having their voice heard can be very empowering and thera- peutic in itself. For others, the road to healing is a very long and rocky one. Regardless of the situation or timeline, staff members at the Huron Women's Shelter are availa- ble from beginning to end. Whether it be you, your friend, or a family member that is a victim of sexual assault, the most important thing to remember when encour- aging healing is to not judge and that the assault is not their fault. More information on the Huron Women's Shelter is available online at www.huronwomensshelter.com or via the 24 Hour Crisis Line 1-800- 265-5506. LET'S N AKE CANCER HISTORY For information about cancer, seri ices or to make a donation 16 888.939-3333 a w w.canc nca C n id ati L 4=1 Societe C n Cer „dicanidienne Society du cancer Bayfield r ana n u ng Fresh food. Friendly neighbours. of our new store! Join US Friday, May 30th at 9a111 First 100 customers could win u $100 in free groceries Visit us at our new location. O Double the Size. • Expanded Variety o Open 24 hours starting May 30th Starting May 30th Cameron St. F Bayfield Foodland 71 Main St. South • 519-565-4381