No one can tell by looking that the Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) exists. When visitors approach the building, they see nothing more than a brown, brick exterior, free of any and all outdoor signage. The address isn’t readily available either. Only those who reach out for help know where to go and have to ring the doorbell to be buzzed in. It’s all very secret — because it’s all very safe, says SARC Executive Director Lauren Spitznagle.
For 24 hours, seven days a week, SARC works to end the cycle of sexual violence in the Brazos Valley through counseling, education and outreach, and crisis intervention, including a 24-hour hotline. Since its official opening in 1983, the center has trained more than 1,000 volunteers and established strong community partnerships, according to its website. However, many in the community are still reluctant to acknowledge the need for such a resource, believing instead that sexual assault doesn’t occur, Spitznagle says.
Even those who do believe sexual assault happens in the Brazos Valley are not likely to publicly support such efforts, Spitznagle continues. “People don’t want to be seen meeting with me or donating for fear that someone would think they’d been sexually assaulted,” she says. While that certainly presents a roadblock for SARC’s operations and donation efforts, it can be even more harmful for survivors seeking help who may be fearful that what happened to them might get out. “The desired secrecy of people who have been survivors is amplified due to being in a small town,” Spitznagle says. “That prevents a lot of healing.”
Regardless of public perception, sexual violence is still a public health crisis, Spitznagle explains. “Last year, we had 369 survivors come through our center — more than one for each day of the year,” she says. These survivors came from all walks of life: men and women from every socioeconomic and racial group.
Spitznagle says she doesn’t want the center to fall into the trap of most nonprofits, being so overwhelmed that they only focus on the day-to-day. “Instead of waiting for things to change in the Brazos Valley, we want to be the change,” she explains. “The reality is, we can provide services all day, but we need to be making cultural changes within the Brazos Valley.”
The most important element of this cultural change is flipping negative perceptions, Spitznagle says. “Instead of judging a survivor, I want us to think about the perpetrator and what caused him or her to believe that behavior was okay.”
Still, feeling equipped to have such conversations can require a bit of education first. And for those who would like to do so, SARC offers presentations on a number of topics, including sexual harassment, human trafficking, healthy and unhealthy relationships, social media and sexuality, and consent. Training is also available through the center for basic crisis counseling skills and interventions specific to sexual violence.
Moving forward, Spitznagle says she sees the Brazos Valley really growing in prevention methods of sexual violence and from a legal advocacy standpoint. “A lot of that prevention comes from a general awareness about sexual health and boundaries,” she explains. “Instead of working on protecting our daughters only, we need to educate our sons about sexual violence. Parents need to talk to their children and teens, even though it may not be comfortable. It’s better for them to know those things than be uninformed or scared later on down the road.”
“You can educate yourself through our resources and information, you can volunteer, you can donate,” Spitznagle says. “But the most important thing is speaking truth in your daily life, combating inappropriate and false narratives, and having real conversations about sexual violence.”
For more information, visit sarcbv.org.
