Help support 1 million sexual violence survivors

This report is dedicated to mapping the voices of the women and girls of Ethiopia’s Tigray region. 

As has become commonplace in so many armed conflicts around the world, mass rape is being used as a weapon of war against Tigray women and girls.

Rape as a weapon of war leaves victims with devastating wounds that can last a lifetime…that is if they survive the attacks. The intent behind this horrific practice is to destroy a culture, to inflict global harm upon a people by poisoning them with mass trauma.

The international community, once again, is being called upon to take a stand as Ethiopian soldiers continue to perpetrate upon this population that is already beset by famine.

We encourage everyone to raise their voices in support of Tigray women and girls, by donating to humanitarian organizations supporting this population and calling your national elected officials to apply international pressure to bring an end to this violence.

Thank you for your continued involvement in our GlobalGiving campaign to Help support 1 million sexual violence survivors.

Warmly,

Jeni Ambrose, PhD

Links:

• Forbes: The Other Pandemic: Rape And Sexual Violence In War
• VOA: Hundreds of Women, Girls Brutalized by Soldiers in Tigray
• Washington Post: 'Purely Ethnic Profiling'

Dear Supporter,

As we reach the COVID-19 pandemic 1-year mark, I’ve decided to devote this quarterly donor report to supporting mental health. While everyone has been challenged this year, a history of sexual trauma can amplify the stressful impacts.

Here are a few reasons it’s so important to get trauma informed care for sexual abuse or assault. “Trauma informed” means a therapist who has specific training and experience treating sexual trauma.

Confiding in someone who can help.  So often survivors either stay silent or confide in someone who, though perhaps well intended, is not particularly helpful. Sharing with someone who is trained in treating sexual trauma can bring understanding to a complex and difficult experience.

Recognizing what is you and what is the trauma. The effects of sexual trauma can be so pervasive, it is easy for survivors to believe these effects originate from a flaw or defect within themselves. Learning to recognize adaptations to trauma can go a long way toward restoring a healthier self-perception.

Working through the trauma itself. There are lasting effects on the mind, body, emotions and nervous system. Getting help through these impacts is an important part of reclaiming one’s life from trauma.

It’s never too late to get help. Even if the trauma was years, or even decades ago, getting therapeutic support can make all the difference in the world. 

There are many nonprofits organizations and community clinics that cater to the needs of survivors. To begin the healing process and find support near you, create a free account on MapYourVoice.org.

Thank you for supporting our mission to bring needed help to survivors of sexual violence.