Shining a Light
Shining a Light
CCA honors survivors and raises awareness this April
April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time dedicated to shedding light on an issue that affects so many, yet too often remains in the shadows. In fact, nationwide, 81% of women and 43% of men reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment and/or assault in their lifetime. Across the country, communities are coming together to support survivors, educate the public, and advocate for change. Here in Cattaraugus County, Connecting Communities in Action (CCA) is leading the charge, offering vital services, raising awareness, and organizing family-oriented events to inspire action and healing. Their work is a powerful reminder that ending sexual violence starts with supporting survivors and building a community around education and consent.
One of the most visible local reminders of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is right on the front lawn of CCA at 25 Jefferson Street in Salamanca. Their “Set the Lawn on Fire” initiative transforms the front of their building into a glowing symbol of remembrance and hope. Make a donation throughout the month of April in honor of a person who has been impacted by sexual assault. Each donation will be represented by a flame to be placed on the front lawn of CCA.
CCA Victim Services Director Breanne Abbott, LCSW, said the idea to “Set the Lawn on Fire” came from a survivor with whom CCA worked. “…They said, ‘I survived because the fire within me burned brighter than the fire around me,’ and that was so powerful,” Abbott said. Last year, CCA held a fundraiser for purchasing the flames, and this year, individuals can sponsor a flame through their donation, which helps support costs of things that grants don’t cover, such as after-care kits for assault victims. The culmination of this display is a candle lighting ceremony on Wednesday, April 30th at 7:00pm. All are invited to this event, during which stories of hope and healing will be shared, as well as conversations about working together for prevention.
Also on April 30th, CCA is taking part in Denim Day, an annual campaign held on the last Wednesday of April to raise awareness about sexual violence and victim-blaming. Abbott explained, “Denim Day came out of the Italian Supreme Court overturning a ruling that the victim’s jeans were so tight that she must have helped in removing them, thus implying consent. We advocate very much that clothing is not consent or lack of clothing is not consent, so on April 30th, we wear denim in solidarity of survivors of sexual assault.”
While the month of April is important for awareness, CCA is committed to supporting survivors all year round. Abbott shared CCA’s wide range of services available to anyone in Cattaraugus and Allegany counties, including the five college campuses located there. “CCA runs a 24-hour victim services hotline that is manned by one of our staff locally,” Abbott explained. “If an individual wants to call and report an incident or has past or current concerns regarding sexual assault, they can do that.” CCA works together with trained hospital nurses to support victims through a forensic rape exam, which cares for victims, in addition to collecting criminal evidence.
CCA advocates can help victims navigate all steps of the process, including access to any necessary medications, therapeutic services, insurance claims, police interviews and more. Abbott said, “We have programmatically paid for services for individuals that have been victims of crimes of sexual assault, so we can make referrals to our therapy team at no cost to survivors. We also help with court advocacy, so if an individual decides to press charges and go to court, our advocates can accompany them to court.” Other supportive services include information and education regarding trauma, as well as follow-up appointments with health care providers. Even if someone would like to report a past event, CCA can help with supportive services and provide education about one’s legal rights and options. “We can also help with orders of protection, because we also provide the same services on the domestic violence side as well,” Abbott added.
All CCA advocates are CCA employees, including those who are on-call on weekends. “We are a certified rape crisis program with the New York State Department of Health,” Abbott explained. “So that means all staff that respond to sexual assault calls complete a 40-hour rape crisis counselor certification course that covers sexual violence dynamics, confidentiality, victims’ rights, diversity training, child abuse reporting, medical needs, and crisis intervention. These are all standards that are set by the NYS Department of Health.” Additionally, CCA advocates participate in ongoing annual training.
CCA is dedicated to prevention work, including education in the community and on college campuses. Abbott said, “Our advocates go out and do training on consent, training on ‘clothing is not consent,’ work with athletes and incoming freshmen, as well as work closely with the Child Advocacy Center (CAC).” On Saturday, May 3rd, CCA is teaming up with CAC for Family Safety Day, which recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Child Abuse Prevention Month and Children’s Mental Health Awareness Month. From 10:00am-2:00pm at the Robert Livingston Community Center in Allegany, multiple informational agencies will be on-hand sharing important, kid-friendly safety information, including body safety, car seat safety, outdoor safety and more. In addition to prizes and fun-filled activities, adults are invited to sponsor a team to compete in the event’s first Inflatable Costume Olympics!
To learn more about Family Safety Day or any of CCA’s services, call 716-945-1041 or visit www.ccaction.org. To reach the 24-hour Victim Services Hotline, call 1-888-945-3970.