written by: Karli Wilson, F2F intern, spring 2024 With April being both Autism awareness month and sexual assault awareness month, it is an ideal time to shed light on where these topics intersect. Sexual violence, a pervasive issue that affects all walks of life and is often overlooked or misunderstood, especially when it comes to how it impacts neurodivergent individuals. Neurodiversity means a difference in neurological functioning. It is an umbrella term for a wide range of experiences, including sensory processing and communication differences. It encompasses individuals with conditions s ..read more

written by: Linda Li, F2F intern, spring 2024 Black History Month is indeed a time of celebration and joy, but it is also an opportunity to spotlight the work we need to do to support Black survivors of sexual violence. One in five Black women have experienced rape at some point in their lives, and Black women are at highest risk of any racial group for experiencing sexual violence perpetrated by police officers. Since the 1970s, women of color have criticized feminist theory and political practices for overlooking the nuanced intersections of race, class, able-bodiedness, and other forms of i ..read more

written by: Linda Li & Tracy Johnson, F2F interns, spring 2024 During our recent visit to Riverside Regional Medical Center, forensic nurse examiner Beth Young walked us through the rapid development of forensic nursing as a subset of nursing in the past decade, explaining how increased awareness of the unique nature of sexual violence has spawned dedicated procedures for caring for victims.  Forensic nurses play a critical role from the moment they meet a patient: supporting victims’ psychological wellbeing, collecting and submitting evidence, and liaising with patient advocates, law ..read more

written by: Lauren Carrasco-Kyllönen, Director of Programs CONTENT NOTICE: Sexual Violence, Elder Abuse The abuse of older adults (60 years of age or older) is a much more prevalent issue than many of us would like to believe, and it’s one that is too often overlooked. Of all the different forms of elder abuse, sexual abuse is the least reported. Similarly to sexual violence perpetuated against younger individuals, there are many factors at play as to why someone may not come forward. However, for survivors of elder sexual abuse, there are additional barriers that make disclosing and finding ..read more

written by: Tracy Johnson, F2F intern, summer 2023 CONTENT NOTICE: domestic violence, intimate partner violence For domestic violence awareness month, it’s fitting to dispel some of the myths and misconceptions that are spread amongst the world. Not only do most people not know exactly what domestic violence is and what forms it can take, but there is also a lack of understanding and empathy for the victims of these situations. Some victims do not recognize the severity of their situations because of this, and if they do, many times when they finally seek help from others they are met with ba ..read more

written by: Tracy Johnson, F2F intern, summer 2023 content notice: Sexual Violence, Medical Procedures Our founder, Rosemary Trible, has dedicated her life to supporting sexual assault victims. After witnessing so many people leaving the hospital after a PERK exam looking traumatized and many still even having to wear their hospital gowns out, Rosemary decided to create Fear 2 Freedom in hopes of preserving the dignity of survivors and providing education to communities across the nation. The AfterCare and iCare Kits that we provide to survivors contain basic essentials like clothing and toil ..read more

written by: Kadetra Cooper, Fear 2 Freedom COO “We but mirror the world. All the tendencies present in the outer world are to be found in the world of our body. If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. This is the divine mystery supreme. A wonderful thing it is and the source of our happiness, We need not wait to see what others do.” - Mahatma Gandhi Nonprofit organizations continue to face increases in demand, limited resources, and the reduction of staff over the past fe ..read more

written by: Caroline Branch, F2F Intern Spring 2023 Healing from a hardship tends to be a personal journey that is walked alone. Whether that is a personal choice or reality, having a strong, positive support system contributes to healing. Social isolation and loneliness is not a healthy and effective form of  recovery. Not only is having a strong support system essential during hardships, but it is also important to have throughout prosperity because there is power in having a positive network. Most people do not tend to understand the depth of the benefits and importance of having a pos ..read more

written by: Lauren Carrasco-Kyllönen, Director of Programs What's This Year’s Focus? NSVRC's theme for #SAAM2023 is "Drawing Connections: Prevention Demands Equity". So what does that actually mean? It's about recognizing how sexual violence is inextricably linked to so many other forms of oppression. It's about understanding that, in order to truly prevent SV, we must also address they ways in which oppressive systems contribute to cycles of violence & put up barriers to accessing support & healing. It's about using this broader understanding to inform what we do, so that we're taking ..read more

written by: Isabella Notvedt, F2F Partnerships & Logistics Coordinator What is a woman? The answer greatly depends on the person answering. Will the answer be based on culture? On physical appearance? On personalities or traits? Even dictionaries have different definitions. Being a woman is more than one’s chromosomal makeup. There doesn’t seem to be any one definition with which everyone can agree. But I still know what women have been… WOMEN ARE COURAGEOUS Harriet Tubman is an amazing example of courage in the face of adversity. Having been born into enslavement, Tubman found a path to ..read more