Sexual Assault Recovery Program
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A Giving Spirit
Throughout the holiday season, the Monroe Times will feature several nonprofit and charitable organizations in a series called "A Giving Spirit." The stories will highlight the organization's accomplishments from the year, their needs, how to help and goals for 2018.
MONROE - As sexual assault allegations surface in Hollywood and throughout the country, members of the Sexual Assault Recovery Program in Green County feel mixed reactions.
"It's good that more people are talking about things," said Kristy Schindler, Green County volunteer and outreach coordinator. "The con is that it can also be a trigger, depending on where the victim is in their healing process."
SARP is a nonprofit agency established in Green County in 2004 that provides services to all primary and secondary victims of sexual abuse.
"It is important for the community to understand that sexual assault is a major public health and pervasive social problem that transcends socio-cultural bounds," SARP Director Amanda Isunza said. "Victims of sexual assault need to be supported and validated. It is important to encourage society to stop victim-blaming behaviors; sexual assault is never the victim's fault."
Schindler, who has been with the program for less than two years, is also an advocate. The program in Green County is composed of two part-time advocates, a program director and six active volunteers. It runs on a yearly budget of $85,374.
The agency depends on funding sources like the United Way and Department of Justice to function. All of its services are free of charge.
Its main focus is to provide emotional support to sexual assault victims and their families. Volunteers and workers never know what a day could bring. They've been known to sit in on forensic interviews, provide support while talking with district attorneys and take part in child protective services, to name a few. They also respond to emergency rooms and with local law enforcement. They don't offer legal advice.
"We want to connect them with the correct channels," Schindler said. "We direct the emotional part and make sure their rights are being met."
They also address coping skills later on - since many aren't healthy - and provide tools to use for specific symptoms. One of the biggest things they do is connect people with other resources in the community. Some people might be homeless, need a job or have legal issues, and SARP can find help that victims might not have been previously aware of.
When something like a rape kit is needed, Schindler said they are with the victim through the duration, which can be an emotionally charged and agonizing time. They want to be a comforting presence and inform the victim of the correct steps to take.
On average, SARP workers and volunteers spend about three to six months with clients, but there are some who have been connected with workers for more than a year.
Things have been busier since October, Schindler said. Although the annual amount of reports varies, the organization normally serves between 60 and 80 people each year.
The number of volunteers also fluctuates, Schindler said, and more are always needed. In 2017, volunteers put in more than 1,600 hours.
In 2018, Schindler said the program hopes to increase support groups in Green County and plans to work to be more active in schools. Providing prevention and awareness for young adults, discussing internet safety and healthy relationships are all part of what the group currently does and hopes to encompass on a broader spectrum in the coming year.
Schindler said she would also love to see a trauma focus group in Green County to allow discussion on coping skills and special topics the advocates address if they're one-on-one with victims.
She hopes to offer some workshops for adolescents and has dreams of even having a shelter in Green County since Family Promise isn't always the right fit for those with post-traumatic stress disorder and abusive relations. They would love to one day have enough funding for legal aid, but no one's sure if that will happen.
"There's a lot of things we want to do," Schindler said. "Being a nonprofit is a challenge."
SARP offers medical and legal advocacy, a 24-hour crisis hotline, psychoeducation, support groups, school presentations and community awareness and outreach activities. The organization welcomes new volunteers and donations in the form of money or supplies. To become a volunteer, or to donate, contact: Christina Schindler at 608-558-5486 or by email at cschindler@sarpwi.com. To arrange a training or presentation for students or a community organization, call 608-325-3142.
"It's good that more people are talking about things," said Kristy Schindler, Green County volunteer and outreach coordinator. "The con is that it can also be a trigger, depending on where the victim is in their healing process."
SARP is a nonprofit agency established in Green County in 2004 that provides services to all primary and secondary victims of sexual abuse.
"It is important for the community to understand that sexual assault is a major public health and pervasive social problem that transcends socio-cultural bounds," SARP Director Amanda Isunza said. "Victims of sexual assault need to be supported and validated. It is important to encourage society to stop victim-blaming behaviors; sexual assault is never the victim's fault."
Schindler, who has been with the program for less than two years, is also an advocate. The program in Green County is composed of two part-time advocates, a program director and six active volunteers. It runs on a yearly budget of $85,374.
The agency depends on funding sources like the United Way and Department of Justice to function. All of its services are free of charge.
Its main focus is to provide emotional support to sexual assault victims and their families. Volunteers and workers never know what a day could bring. They've been known to sit in on forensic interviews, provide support while talking with district attorneys and take part in child protective services, to name a few. They also respond to emergency rooms and with local law enforcement. They don't offer legal advice.
"We want to connect them with the correct channels," Schindler said. "We direct the emotional part and make sure their rights are being met."
They also address coping skills later on - since many aren't healthy - and provide tools to use for specific symptoms. One of the biggest things they do is connect people with other resources in the community. Some people might be homeless, need a job or have legal issues, and SARP can find help that victims might not have been previously aware of.
When something like a rape kit is needed, Schindler said they are with the victim through the duration, which can be an emotionally charged and agonizing time. They want to be a comforting presence and inform the victim of the correct steps to take.
On average, SARP workers and volunteers spend about three to six months with clients, but there are some who have been connected with workers for more than a year.
Things have been busier since October, Schindler said. Although the annual amount of reports varies, the organization normally serves between 60 and 80 people each year.
The number of volunteers also fluctuates, Schindler said, and more are always needed. In 2017, volunteers put in more than 1,600 hours.
In 2018, Schindler said the program hopes to increase support groups in Green County and plans to work to be more active in schools. Providing prevention and awareness for young adults, discussing internet safety and healthy relationships are all part of what the group currently does and hopes to encompass on a broader spectrum in the coming year.
Schindler said she would also love to see a trauma focus group in Green County to allow discussion on coping skills and special topics the advocates address if they're one-on-one with victims.
She hopes to offer some workshops for adolescents and has dreams of even having a shelter in Green County since Family Promise isn't always the right fit for those with post-traumatic stress disorder and abusive relations. They would love to one day have enough funding for legal aid, but no one's sure if that will happen.
"There's a lot of things we want to do," Schindler said. "Being a nonprofit is a challenge."
SARP offers medical and legal advocacy, a 24-hour crisis hotline, psychoeducation, support groups, school presentations and community awareness and outreach activities. The organization welcomes new volunteers and donations in the form of money or supplies. To become a volunteer, or to donate, contact: Christina Schindler at 608-558-5486 or by email at cschindler@sarpwi.com. To arrange a training or presentation for students or a community organization, call 608-325-3142.