Calendar of Events

Join Peace River Center Victim Services as we raise awareness on issues surrounding sexual violence locally and nationally during Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). The final “Round Table Talks” will take place Thursday, April 18, 2019, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Lakeland Public Library Main, 100 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801. Light refreshments will be served. Seating is limited. Please RSVP by April 11th.

Discussion topics include:

• myths about sexual violence survivors
• #metoo movement: survivors are coming forward across the country to share their stories of sexual violence and solidarity with other survivors. This movement has shed light on workplace sexual violence among celebrities and politicians. Has this movement given a platform to local survivors to share their stories?
• #startbybelieving movement: this global campaign is transforming the way we respond to sexual assault. It puts you in the driver’s seat to get help for yourself, or someone you know, after sexual assault. We will discuss resources and what to say to survivors.
• victim blaming: this barrier places survivors in greater danger of not reporting sexual violence. If the survivor knows you or society blames the survivor for the sexual violence, s/he will not feel safe or comfortable coming forward and talking to you. Some examples include:
  • “What were you thinking going there/wearing that/drinking so much?”
  • “What did you expect would happen?”
  • “Did you fight back?”
• types of sexual violence: this all-encompassing, non-legal term refers to crimes like sexual assault, rape, and sexual abuse. Some other types of sexual violence include child sexual abuse, incest, substance facilitated sexual assault, stranger rape, intimate partner sexual assault, acquaintance rape, and any unwanted sexual contact or sexual coercion.
• programmatic response to sexual violence: programmatic response to sexual violence will explain our program services and how we respond to survivors of sexual violence