General

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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!!…