Training To Help Sexual Assault Survivors
April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and the organisations that work to end sexual assault in Bermuda will be providing training to the clergy on assisting survivors of sexual assault on Tuesday, April 10th.
A Centre Against Abuse spokesperson said, “April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, and all the organisations that work to end sexual assault in Bermuda will be providing training to the clergy on assisting survivors of sexual assault.
“This year, the Sexual Assault Response Team [SART], which is comprised of Department of Health, Bermuda Police Service, Department of Child and Family Services, and Centre Against Abuse [CAA] will be joined by Saving Children and Revealing Secrets [SCARS] to deliver this vital training to clergy on April 10th between 9 and 12 at the Police Training School in Prospect.
“At the beginning of the year, the Department of Health, SCARS and CAA brainstormed about what we could do during the month of April to bring awareness to our community about sexual assault.
“We determined that clergy are often times first responders for assisting victims of sexual assault. It is with this in mind, that we decided to collaborate as a team and offer this training to clergy, to equip them with: understanding what sexual assault is; understanding what resources are available to assist and support survivors of sexual assault; and tooling them with guidlines on what to do, and what not to do.
“It is our hope and goal that clergy will leave this training more empowered and educated on safety and support, so that they can better assist individuals who reveal that they have been affected by sexual assault.
“This training will only focus on assisting victims, and it is our intention that our group will provide future trainings to the community on other topics regarding sexual assault.
“SART’s mission is to offer a community based collaborative response to all reported cases of sexual assault, by providing immediate and follow-up medical, advocacy, and criminal justice services in an ethical and comprehensive manner; and bring awareness to the community on sexual assault.
“CAA’s mission is to provide support services for adult survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault; and offer community awareness and training.
“SCARS mission is to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse, and to be an advocate and voice for children who have been sexually molested as well as their affected family.
“If any members of the clergy are interested in attending this training, please contact 292-4366 or info@centreagainstabuse.bm to sign up.”
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