COLUMBUS, Ohio — April is sexual assault awareness month and the OhioHealth Sexual Assault Network of Central Ohio (SARNCO) is hosting a town hall on Thursday to support survivors and spread awareness. The event is being held at the main branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library.
One of the organizers of the townhalls said the focus of Thursday's panel is to focus on Co-survivors and show them how to support survivors and be an ally. They are making this effort to cultivate a community that empowers survivors of sexual violence.
This will also be a time for people to learn how to deal with their secondary trauma while also supporting their loved ones.
OhioHealth Sexual Violence Services Manager Terra Purdy said, "We're carrying that secondary trauma, we're carrying some guilt, sometimes we're hearing a lot of feelings that we may not know how to deal with and it may be impeding our support of our survivor."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of women and almost 1 in 3 men have experienced sexual violence. Purdy said, unfortunately, central Ohio and Franklin County, in particular, are right on trend with those numbers.
"So that's really what this townhall's about is kind of talking about that and giving tools giving resources, and giving support to not just the survivors, but those who are supporting them," added Purdy.
Purdy said close to a thousand people have received services from SARNCO since the start of 2024 and this includes 141 sexual assault survivors.
She said it's important to reach out for help because isolation and the feeling of guilt and shame only add to the trauma. This panel plans to give people resources and support to show that everyone is not alone and lift survivors in their healing journey.
"Anyone of any age can use our services that we have our crisis services, our helpline, and our aftercare, as I mentioned, often works with families with children, unfortunately, as young as two."
This free event is open to anyone and is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Columbus Metropolitan Library's main branch.
SARNCO can also help in a crisis and if someone has been assaulted. Purdy said OhioHealth provides care from a forensic nurse and an advocate to guide you through the process, and aftercare and advocates.
Purdy said, "They can support that survivor, they can support the survivor's family, and co-survivor and filling out applications for you know, the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, or in going to court appearances, they can support and be there. We also in our aftercare program have Spanish-speaking advocates."