What if, after a sexual assault …

What if, after a sexual assault, the first thing you wanted to do was tell people, because you knew that everyone would believe you? And that they would be there with you — steady and loving — through the days, and the months and the years that followed? What if they kept you company when…

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We will win though

During the past weeks, our nation has been awash in the issue of sexual assault as the Kavanaugh hearings placed it front and center in the news and on social media. The nuances of all those stories are intimately familiar for me and for many survivors. In my personal life, in my work in the…

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When an abuser is someone we admire

When I was growing up, we watched the Cosby Show faithfully. Like many families, we felt like Bill Cosby was a family friend who shared our home every week and invited us into his own. He earned the nickname “America’s Dad.” His recent conviction for sexual misconduct invites us to look at the way we…

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Remembering Barbara Jean…

Remembering Barbara Jean “I remember clearly talking to Barb on the phone in the morning on that day.  Barb was working at the Chamber just for the morning, by herself, and she was in such a happy mood.  She told me that she had dinner with Tim the night before, and how much she enjoyed…

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Keeping the “Me too” conversation going

In the middle of October, out of nowhere, my Facebook feed filled with posts that said “Me too” as part of a campaign to raise awareness about the prevalence of sexual assault and sexual harassment. At first it felt exhilarating that our culture’s denial of our reality might be lifting a bit. The next day…

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Lady Gaga, Stigma and Surviving…

This winter Lady Gaga told the press that she has PTSD because she was sexually assaulted at age 19, and someone told me what people were saying about the news in town. “Who does she think she is?” one guy apparently said. “She never fought in a war!” His friend agreed and scoffed at Lady…

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New Protocol Yields Good Results…

When the police come out to a domestic call, it’s a chaotic time. The person who made the call is often traumatized and scared and hurting, and even the most helpful visit from police can leave the person rattled and trying to think of answers to hundreds of questions. What’s going to happen next with…

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Sexual Assault “Not Just A Woman’s Issue”

by: Sara Hart- Sexual Assault Prevention Coordinator for HOPE Center Rape … it can happen anytime, any place. It does not only happen to women, but also to men and children. Rape should not be just a “woman’s issue,” but an issue that our community as a whole needs to address and demand that it…

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Omelet Breakfast Sunday May 15th!!

The Sons of the American Legion are hosting an Omelet Breakfast for the benefit of HOPE Center. Sunday May 15th American Legion- 112 NE 5th St. Faribault 8:30am – Noon $7 adults ~ $3.50 for kids 12 and under Buy your tickets at HOPE Center or at the Door We HOPE to see you there!!…

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United Way Fundraiser!

As you know we depend on funding from many sources, one of our much appreciated sources is the United Ways of Faribault and Northfield.  Today (Friday April 29th) the United Way of Faribault is having a fundraiser.  Good food, good cause what could be better? Today the Schwan’s Frozen Food Truck is in the United Way of…

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