Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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August 30, 1995 I that seems to be more prevalent th ever, considering one in three women h been sexually abused, one in five men h been sexually abused, and one in eif women have been raped, according to t Rape Crisis Netwo CHRIS DIXON Assistant Features Editor Survivor Support Group Services, sponsored by the Rape Crisis Network, takes on the daunting task of combating sexual abuse P by treating adult, adolescent, and child sur- K vivors with a variety of free therapy groups, two of which will be available at USC. Sexual abuse is not a pleasant topic, so it's no wonder people don't want to discuss it openly. According to Dayle Jones, MA, coordinator of Survivor Support Group Services, talking about sexual abuse can do a world of good. "People are still reluctant to talk about it," she said. "Sex- L ual abuse is still kept a secret in families. It's ignored and not spoken about. It's important to talk about it so we can start decreasing the number of people who are sexually w abused in their lifetime." N< Contrary to popular belief, men are just as likely to be e; sexually abused as women. Unfortunately, men are more ti reluctant to seek help for the abuse. "Men experience a lot more shame," Jones said. "Men c< are socialized that it's not okay to ask for help. A man who ic was abused as a child may not know it was abuse if it was ri done by a woman." ti Shame and secrecy tend to prevent people from seeking li help for sexual abuse. Jones said blame is one of the biggest issues survivors face. J "Survivors blame themselves for the abuse and they de- p ny that it's bothering them," she said. ~i he aouse wasn i their fault. They have a right to learn how to live the fullest h and happiest life they are entitled to. People need to be more ii educated about sexual abuse. We need to talk about it in n the open and blame the offender, not the victim. Survivors g need counseling to work through their issues." The effects of sexual abuse can last a lifetime and affect s every aspect of the victims life. Jones said without help, vie- i t.ims can suffer from depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, c ji|j for I ., ', ;_, more information. contact Beverly Wilson (544.0607) < j* v. pra (Pc Searching for support in c/ J. i _ _ JAMIE CLARK The^jamecocK indy Crusto, Miriam Freeman and Dale Jones work rth victims of sexual abuse at the Rape Crisis Btwork in Columbia. ating disorders, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, self-ha ed, problems in relationships, and lack of trust. "They are not able to experience as happy a life as they )uld with help," she said. "Survivors are attracted to physally and sexually abusive relationships, so the abuse caries on throughout their lives and they continue to be vicimized. Without help, issues will continue to affect their ves." It's never too late to seek help for sexual abuse. In fact, ones said some people don't realize the abuse is causing roblems until they get older. "A lot of times, it's only when people enter adulthood and iave problems with relationships that they realize the abuse 3 having an affect on their life," she said. "Young adults deiy that the abuse causes them problems. They want to for;et about it. They think they can handle it by themselves." Jones said survivors can never completely get over the exual abuse they suffered, but they can go on to live nornal, productive lives through counselling. "Sexual abuse will never go away," she said. "Through ounseling, they can learn the skills they need to work through wmmmmm [ ffl I | I mJ f T 1 I w rnmww m Hiuei i at USC FHillel is the Jewish student k organization at USC. Hillel provides programming geared to help members grow socially and spiritually. ibout Hillel or Judaism, please dt Bernie Friedman (799.9132) Sp Columbia B their issues and to live a happier lite. Survivors are some w of the most resilient people. Many survivors are already liv ing productive lives and working hard." s] There are a myriad of negative stigmas attached to sex- is ual abuse, which often cause feelings of isolation and lone- F liness. o "Victims tend to isolate themselves," Jones said. "They think something is wrong with them or they are crazy. Group p support provides them an environment with other people v who've been sexually abused so they'll know they are not alone." - h Even though support groups are a necessity in helping t survivors sort through the issues involved with sexual abuse, t a close-knit circle of loving friends and family members can also provide an immeasurable amount of support. <3 "The support group is there for their therapy," Jones said, t "It should never be their only form of support. It's important to have people around you who support you and who c you feel safe around." r Part of supporting a loved one who has been sexually abused is helping them find the therapy they need to deal ( with the abuse. Jones said it is better to suggest counseling t rather than forcing the victim into something they are not ready to do. < "You should talk to the person about whether they've ' thought about seeking help," she said. "You could refer them 1 to us or to any other opportunity for counseling on campus. \ It has to be the survivors decision. You shouldn't brow beat 1 them. When they are sexually abused, their control is taken away from them. Control is important to survivors. They | want to be able to say no. It's almost re-traumatizing to force 1 someone to do something they don't want to do." Survivor Support Group Services has 35 volunteers, 10 i of which are students, 16 graduates, and 2 faculty or staff i members of USC. The training for the volunteers includes a two day workshop and monthly supervision for a year. Miriam Freeman, associate professor in the College of Social Work, decided to volunteer because of her interest in mPHPMP M VTl 9^ Irm WtsifY Patrick SNIPES SWAY] 1 iw^ III EH NX mis il 11HNI f mm i II iwiiiHisfonniiiuiNEwiriiDHii mmIFIIISMMI StillIIB * AMRTIN PG-13] PARENTS STWON6IY CAUTIONED *m> I EH fflDil iYt'tRTAiNMiHT Sonw Mat trial May Be ln?pproprlit? tot Children Und* 13. | """" llllSil BWilSSIllifiU! SMIIIS IB PREVIEW "TO WONG F00, THANKS FOR EVERYTHING, JUL SHRTS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER ( eT orking with survivors. "I admire the courage it takes for them to live their lives," tie said. "I know the value of a group experience and what i involved in doing that. It's important for me to feel like m giving back to my community. I like the idea of helping ther people when I can." Support groups not only benefit the survivors who take art in them, they can also be inspiring for the facilitators ho volunteer. "I hope to get the feeling that I've perhaps been able to lelp people get on with their lives," Freeman said. "I hope o get the feeling that I've been able to help people in the leafing process." Survivor Support Group Services not only help survivors leal with the various issues involved in being sexually abused, hey also help the survivors feel better about themselves. "I hope people in the group will learn that they are wonlerfully magnificent people," Freeman said. Their lives are niracles and they are worthy human beings." Freeman said it is important to have Survivor Support jlroup Services on campus so survivors will not think they ire the only person who has been sexually abused. "It's really important to give people the. opportunity to :ome together who have had similar experiences," she said. They can hear from others and learn from others who have lad the same experience. They can explore ways of coping vith the results of their experience. It's really useful to do hat in a group so they can learn and support each other." Jones said when the survivors finally leave their support *roup, she hopes they will take with them the knowledge hat the abuse they suffered was not their fault. "I want them to know they are not alone," she said. They can live a happier life. It's important that they can live and not be depressed or suffering so harshly from the abuse." Students interested in volunteering can call Jones at 2528393. Students may also contact Sexual Assault Services at the Thomson Student Health Center by calling 777-8248 or 777-7619. Inuu !f LfGUIZAMO tH*?' cr 1 KlONiu WBLE1SNIPES1ICK HIE JitM en in muss howi pi "Bamin jBifirBiiBcieinGiceeii ? 1995 UNIVERSAL CITY STUDIOS INC &AMBLINENTERTAINMENT INC am ??a co.pa.t in tiM ! tisam em mm m .IE NEWMAR" ON THE INTERNET (http://www.nica.com)! m at a mm mar you.