Talkin' With a Partner: Rachel Freeman of Sexual Assault Center

Shilpi: Tell me about the organization.
Rachel: The Mission of the Sexual Assault Center is to end sexual violence and provide healing for children, adults and families affected by sexual assault through counseling and education. The Sexual Assault Center (SAC), started in 1978 and is the only place in Middle Tennessee that specializes in treatment for sexual assault victims. We have counseled more than 17,000 children and adults. Our education programs reach over 120,000 annually.

Shilpi: What can you do for the community that is unique or orginal?
Rachel: SAC is unique in that we are the only agency in Middle Tennessee that specializes in the treatment of sexual assault survivors. When a sexual assault survivor comes into our Center, they immediately know that they are not alone in their pain and healing. We are able to offer this hope to survivors because our sole focus is on sexual assault issues.

Shilpi: What are the five most significant accomplishments in the history of this organization?
Rachel:

• 1978 Crisis Response Line began
• 1980 Short-term Counseling was offered to sexual assault victims, and since then we have been able to establish standards for providing the highest quality of clinical services to our survivors and we have developed methods to measure the results of our services.
• Our Prevention Curricula being offered in schools: Our Safe@Last Education Programs began in schools in 1998(kindergarten-6th grand) and in 2007 we offered our Be. Promoting Healthy Relationships in 7th, 9th and 11th grades.
• 2008 SAC moved to a new facility in Metro Center. Our new facility enables us to provide more services to our clients through an art room, anger room, and playground. We were able to raise enough money to move into our beautiful new building debt free.
• Walk in their Shoes annual awareness walk started in 2002.

Shilpi: What do you look for when getting volunteers?
Rachel: We look for volunteers who are truly passionate about raising awareness about sexual assault and ending sexual violence. We look for individuals who are dependable and reliable. We look for volunteers who are comfortable with the topic of sexual assault. We look for volunteers who have good listening skills and can remain calm under pressure. We also look for volunteers who will be good representatives for the Center in our community.

Shilpi: What skills and qualifications are essential for success in this organization?
Rachel: Dependability, reliability, honesty, empathy, passion, strong personal ethics, compassionate, patient, understanding, flexibility. If a volunteer has a personal history or connection to sexual assault, we ask that they have received support or counseling in the past so that their volunteer position does not become triggering or emotionally overwhelming for them. Volunteers must understand the importance of confidentiality.

Shilpi: Is there additional training necessary?
Rachel: Additional training is necessary for some volunteer positions but not all of them. For example, crisis line volunteers are required to complete a 25 hour training and certification process and participate in continuing education activities throughout their time; office volunteers and special events volunteers require minimal training depending on the volunteer service provided.

Shilpi: What else would you like to tell us about your work?
Rachel: 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 to 7 boys will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. One woman is raped every 2 minutes in America. Sexual assault is an extremely prevalent issue in our society and we must all work together to end sexual violence. In order to end sexual violence, it is important that we break the silence, speak out about sexual assault, raise awareness, and provide a healing environment for those affected by sexual violence.

The Sexual Assault Center offers a healing, nurturing, safe place for victims of sexual violence to come to begin their healing journey. Without treatment, sexual assault can leave devastating long-term effects. With the help of our trained staff, survivors learn that they are not alone, they are not to blame, and there is hope. The Center is also is proud to offer clients and the community our 24 hour crisis line for victims and survivors of sexual assault.