The non-profit fighting sexual violence in the Brazos Valley is making an end-of-the year appeal for donations in response to a growing demand for counseling services.
An anonymous supporter of the Sexual Assault Resource Center stepped up with a $50,000 donation that is designated for a counselor who specializes in working with teens.
SARC leaders are asking the public for at least $14,000 more in contributions, so they can afford to make the counselor a full-time employee.
The center has more than 50 sexual assault survivors on its waiting list for services. In the first 11 months of this year, SARC served 359 individual clients with a variety of services. These include 2,015 individual counseling sessions, which were mainly online due to the pandemic.
"We left our home with only two garbage bags full of stuff,” one survivor told Lauren Carroll Spitznagle, SARC executive director. “My three kids and I are just lucky to be alive from my abusive ex-husband. SARC helped us with food, getting my kids clothing, and we all went to counseling there. The people at SARC are my angels."
Even during the holiday season, sexual violence persists. At some of the worst moments of a person’s life, SARC is there to help. The 37-year-old non-profit strives to reduce sexual violence in the Brazos Valley through education, empowerment, and advocacy.
SARC staff and volunteers are available 24/7 through its crisis hotline, (979) 731-1000. The hotline averages more than 1,200 calls per year. Calls are free, confidential, and not affiliated with law enforcement or the criminal justice system. About 60 percent of callers decide to remain anonymous.
SARC helps victims regardless of whether they choose to report a crime to law enforcement. Through SARC, victims can obtain a private exam by a forensic nurse. This year, SARC helped more than 100 survivors pay unforeseen expenses and obtain free legal help with protection orders.
SARC also led nearly 200 educational presentations and outreach events in 2020.
SARC is able to operate through the strength of its staff of 16 employees, 85 volunteer advocates, and through individual donations. If you would like to donate, mail your donation to the Sexual Assault Resource Center at PO Box 3082, Bryan, TX 77805. You can also visit sarcbv.org and press the "Donation" button.
Courtesy of the Sexual Assault Resource Center
