ROAD AHEAD - GlobalGiving

Transcription

ROADAHEADTHERE IS LIFEAFTER ABUSE.

Our mission is to empowerROADAHEADvictims of family sexual abuseand other forms of sexual abuseto overcome their past, stop theabuse from continuing, and tapinto their full potential.We envision a world where all children are raised in an abuse free home, able to achieve theirfull potential. Sacred Innocence believes a healed victim of sexual abuse is more empoweredwith the right tools to protect their children and are the most important defense in ensuringtheir protection. A healthy mother or father can stop the cycle of abuse and breakdown thebarriers that come from within the family unit. Although not all victims abuse, without the righttools, an unhealed victim of sexual abuse can be the detrimental cause of the cycle of familysexual abuse continuing.OUR VISION IS FOR VICTIMS TO UNDERSTAND.THERE IS LIFE AFTER ABUSE.

A MESSAGE FROMSACREDINNOCENCEWe are shining a light onthe power of investing inthe courage of victims ofsexual abuse and how youcan be an ally in building aculture that supports victim’sempowerment.WHY WE CAREChildren born into a family ofsexual abuse often experienceother types of abuses andhave a hard time escaping thepotentially lifelong damagingeffects. Often, feelings ofworthlessness, hopelessnessand depression as well asstruggling with self-destructivebehaviors such as addictions topornography and sex, drugs andalcohol can plague a victim’s life.The most destructive behavioris becoming a sexual abuserWith your help, we can transform the livesof victims of sexual abuse by providingthem with a program that provides toolsand access to life-changing skills to movea victim from crisis to stability through our12-step Empowerment Program. SacredInnocence has a goal to help the hiddenpopulation of sexually abused victims, butwe simply cannot do this without help fromsupporters like you. We hope the storiesof hope, courage and resilience from thesurvivors who attend our support groupswill inspire your involvement. Let’s worktogether to provide victims of sexual abuseprograms to help them heal and regaincontrol of their lives.themselves, whether blatantlyor by being complicit are someof the harmful effects of beingabused.BECAUSE1/5 GIRLSwill be sexually abused by age 18.BECAUSE1/7 BOYSwill be sexually abused by age 18.BECAUSE93% OF VICTIMSpersonally know the perpetrator.BECAUSESincerely,80% ARE A PARENTFather or Stepfather or Foster Care Parent.BECAUSEFOUNDERSacred Innocence InternationalEVERY 8 MINUTESa child is sexually abused.

“Sacred Innocence is not just amessage of hope and healing,IT IS A CALL TO ACTION.IT IS AN INVITATION FORALL THOSE WHO HAVEEXPERIENCED THEBURDENS AND CHAINSOF SEXUAL ABUSETO HEAL.– LAUREN M. JOHNSONCO-FOUNDER

WHYWE EXISTSacred InnocenceInternational focuseson the family and theaffects sexual abuseWe realized with over 120 million girls andboys being sexually abused worldwide(Unicef), we needed to build a solutionthat was as big as the problem. Wecreated support groups through videoconferencing, call-ins and in person peerto-peer support groups that can be setupas chapters throughout the United States.We have taken support groups to a new levelwith the ability to reach remote places wherehas on it.attending in person would be impossible.Even in situations where avictim was sexually abusedby someone other than afamily member, whether by aneighbor or trusted adult, rapedor experienced prostitution orsex trafficking, victims willsomeday be parents and willneed the tools to provide a safeenvironment for their children.We exist to provide a victimof sexual abuse with the bestpossible resources to tap intotheir potential and stop theabuse from continuing formultiple generations.SEXUAL ABUSE CANWHAT WE DOAFFECT ALL GENDERSWHO WE SERVEAll victims of sexual abuse 18 years andolder. Women Only groups are availablenow. In fall of 2018, we will be expanding andoffering Men Only groups, Women OnlySpanish speaking groups and opening upa Women Only-Spanish speaking groupin Argentina. No matter how a person wassexually abused, sexual abuse victims canexperience similar types of issues andproblems related to the traumatic abusesthey endured.Sexual abuse can affect their relationshipsas a friend, spouse or parent and even as anemployee. Sexual abuse affects the familyand we provide the resources a victim needsto break the silence of sexual abuse.LAST A LIFETIMEAFFECT ALL AGES

OURWORKOur focus is on the adult individual. Our 12-weekprogram teaches victims skills to understandtheir worth is not predicated on the sexual abuseand that they are not robbed of their potential.Intensive support group trainingfocuses on 3 key outcomes for the victims:1. OVERCOMING THEIR PAST2. STOPPING THE ABUSE FROM CONTINUING3. TAPPING INTO THEIR POTENTIALSII EMPOWERMENT SUPPORT GROUPSVIDEO CONFERENCING SUPPORT GROUPS6-12 victims enroll in our program and work together for12 weeks. Meetings are once a week for 1 1/2 hours.CALL-INS6-8 victims enroll in our program and work together for12 weeks. Meetings are once a week for one hour.IN PERSON PEER TO PEER SUPPORT GROUPS8-12 victims enroll in our program and work together for12 weeks. Meetings are once a week for 1 1/2 hours.AFFECT ALL CULTURESCRIPPLE SELF-ESTEEMCREATE ISOLATION

THEPROGRAM1. HOPE AND CHOICEThere is Life After Abuse and Healing is a Choice.2. UNDERSTANDINGWhat is abuse? What the negative effects are.Stop the self-destructive, self-sabotagingbehaviors and learn how your body/mind respond.3. CULTUREThe Sacred InnocenceUnderstand the Family Culture of Abuse, theroles each member plays and why this is vital tobreaking the cycle of multigenerational abuse.Empowerment Program4. BELIEVE(Support Group)Understand the best guide for healing is one’sown inner voice and denial is a destructive powerthat that binds you to the past.5. BREAKING THE SILENCEThe abuse was not your fault. The secrecy andfear associated with the abuse creates a sense ofshame, guilt and self-blame. Breaking the silenceis a powerful, healing force that can dispel theshame with being a victim.6. TRUST AND BOUNDARIESYou can learn to set healthy boundaries.7. AGENCY AND ANGERAbuse is a Choice. Admitting your feelingsof anger and/or grief is an important step toregaining control of your own life.8. INTIMACYIf your first experiences with sex was abusive itaffected how you shaped your feelings about sex,sexuality and intimacy. You can overcome andregain control of your body and feelings.9. RELATIONSHIPS“THE BIGGEST RELIEF THAT IRECEIVED FROM THIS SUPPORTGROUP WAS THAT I WAS NOTALONE AND THAT I WAS NOTCRAZY. That these experiences andflashbacks were real and I didn’thave to keep reliving them day today. I could start my healing processwith lasting relationships andpromising recovery.– SURVIVORSexual Abuse is a critical threat to the family.Understand that healthy relationships areobtainable.10. FAITH AND A HIGHER POWERBelieve that the power of God can transform yourlife and better possibilities are within your grasp.11. WORTHYour worth is not predicated on any experience.Overcome feeling broken, used and damaged.You are worthy of love and meaningfulrelationships.12. FORGIVENESSForgiveness is not for the abuser but to free youof your past. Forgiveness is the healing balm tohelp you redefine your life’s definition.

JOIN USJoin us as we give victims of sexualabuse a voice in their own destiny.Help us stop the stigma and outdatedsocial norms of family sexual abuseand other sexual abuses that preventchildren from being protected. Wehave a responsibility to listen andhear their voices and help influencechange.Help us grow our capacity to servevictims of sexual abuse. There is anurgent need to expand our efforts tosupport the hidden population of thesexually abused. Help us break downthe barriers that prevent victims fromtaking ownership of their lives. SII isa solution based nonprofit creatingprograms that help women and menrealize their full potential. We offerwomen and men with a new cycle ofopportunity by providing support andtraining so that they can pass on their“THIS [SACREDINNOCENCE]BROUGHT ME HOPEBECAUSE IT WASDIFFERENT. I HADHOPE THAT I COULDRECOVER ANDNOT JUST “COPE.”As you debate yourdonation to thesegrowing support groupsconsider my storyand the stories ofmy friends.new-found knowledge to their own– SURVIVORfamilies and children.Sacred Innocence International, Inc.4229 Scenic Circle, Bountiful, UT 84010Ph. 385.429.0667Email: info@sacredinnocence.orgsacredinnocence.org

that that binds you to the past. 5. BREAKING THE SILENCE The abuse was not your fault. The secrecy and . fear associated with the abuse creates a sense of shame, guilt and self-blame. Breaking the silence is a powerful, healing force that can dispel the shame with being a victim. 6. TRUST AND BOUNDARIES. You can learn to set healthy boundaries .