Safe Passage: Workshops Scheduled to Address Youth Trauma

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.

(Batesville, Ind.) - Four Ripley County nonprofits collaborated to present a national speaker on youth trauma to local students, parents, professionals and the community at large this April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Awareness Month.

A recently released national report shows the need to address and prevent this youth crisis is now more than ever (see accompanying sidebar). Martha Nix Wade will offer trauma-related workshops professionals, parents and the community at large over a three-day period. Wade, a former child actor, uses her experience from sexual abuse and trauma to navigate the healing process through her nonprofit organization she founded, A Quarter Blue (AQB). AQB stops childhood sexual abuse through education and offers therapeutic and practical support for individuals and families who have experienced this crime against children. Safe Passage, Inc., Southeastern Indiana Voices for Children (CASA) and Batesville Area Arts Council joined forces to present the program.

A grant from the Ripley County Drug Awareness Coalition provided one of the professional development sessions and the caregivers, parents and the community at large workshop. Safe Passage is the sole support service provider for sexual and domestic violence in the six-county region. Southeastern Indiana Voices for Children recruits, educates, and supports CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteers to advocate for the best interest of child victims of abuse/neglect in Ripley County. The Batesville Area Arts Council exists to support arts in education in all six area schools and got involved in the visit to exhibit the healing possibilities of art therapy.

“I choose to be vulnerable about my past and present; and desire to use my personal knowledge and experiences to help others cope and heal. I will help protect children with truths that I did not grasp,” Wade said.

Each session will have a distinct focus. The art therapy sessions will focus on coping skills through hands-on experience with art, and the evening workshops are for parents and caregivers on how to support youth through trauma, mental health and other hard times. The Professional Development workshop is tailored for school personnel and others in the field for improved interactions with family members, learning the traits and tendencies of the primary and secondary victims, and to help navigate healing. In addition to social services, schools are on the front lines to recognize and treat these mental health challenges.

“A key takeaway is to develop coping strategies in traumatized youth, knowing each person can react differently, but ultimately to make for a safer and healthier community for all,” said Danielle Becker, Safe Passage Prevention Specialist who is also on the Executive Board of the Ripley County Drug Coalition.

The available public workshops are free but registration is required through Safe Passage’s social media or email at prevention@safepassageinc.org. The schedule is as follows:

• 4/24: Dealing with Trauma and Grief, Thriving Not Just Surviving workshop, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Batesville Memorial Public Library. No registration is required.
• 4/25: Professional Development Session, 1 to 3 p.m. at Ripley County Courthouse Annex Building
• 4/25: Parent and Caregivers Session, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Versailles, exact location TBD
• *4/26: Professional Development Session, 11 to 1 p.m., location TBD

*Reminder to register at Safe Passage’s social media on Facebook or email prevention@safepassageinc.org.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Safe Passage is also organizing several outreach activities throughout the month as part of SAAM.

•  Look for signage and a raffle at Amack’s Well in Batesville and Emily’s Brew in Versailles during the month.
• Electronic signage and banners will be displayed throughout the six-county area (Ripley, Franklin, Ohio, Dearborn, Switzerland and Jefferson County), along with dedicated social media posts.
• Gratitude gift bags will be distributed to the three hospitals in the district, St. Elizabeth in Dearborn County, Margaret Mary Health in Ripley County and Norton’s King’s Daughters’ Health in Jefferson County. Several have SANE (Sexual Assault Nursing Examiners) staffing. Gratitude bags will also go to local area school counselors, another key partner in child abuse and sexual assault student outreach.
• April 26 is Denim Day and the idea is to encourage all to wear jeans with a purpose to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence. This is in light of an international rape case centered on what the victim was wearing.

In 2018, Safe Passage added Safe Place, a sexual assault crisis center. All services are free and confidential. For more information about sexual assault or local support service provider go to www.safeplaceforhope.org or call 812-932-SAFE (7233).

sidebar:

‘Alarming’ CDC report… A national survey shows a record high level of violence, sadness and suicide among teenagers, especially among teen girls. Professionals have used the words, “alarming,” “crisis,” and “heartbreaking” to describe the bi-annual results of the Center for Disease Control’s Youth Behavior Risk Survey, 2021. Consider:

• 40% of teens report sadness that kept them from engaging in activities for at least 2 weeks; 1 in 3 teen girls considered suicide
• 23% of teens used alcohol in the past month
• 18% of females reported sexual violence in the past year, and 14% reported they had ever been forced to have sex