STTARS offers help to sexual assault survivors

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

Sexual violence doesn’t discriminate — and neither does a Washington County nonprofit organization that advocates for survivors of sexual assault.

As Pride Month starts to wind down, The STTARS Program wants the LGBTQ+ community to know they have year-round support.

This month marks the 50th anniversary of annual LGBTQ+ Pride traditions, but some members of the community are under-served, particularly when it comes to sexual violence.

The STTARS Program, which stands for Sexual Trauma Treatment and Recovery Services, is a nonprofit organization based in Washington that provides free services to survivors of sexual violence.  

Sexual assault survivors in Washington and Greene counties can receive individual counseling, group counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, prevention/education and access a 24-hour hot line.

STTARS Supervisor Joanna Dragan wants the community to know support and resources are available.

“Sexual violence doesn’t discriminate by race, gender, orientation, or identity and neither do we,” she said. “We see you, we believe you and we are here for you.”

In April, the STTARS Program kicked off a “Sexual Violence Doesn’t Discriminate” campaign to help target members of the LBGTQ+ community, which is traditionally under-served when it comes to sexual violence services, Dragan said.

“Our project is about making sure individuals in the LGBTQ+ community know that there are free and discreet services for sexual violence survivors, whether the assault occurred recently, a year ago, or several years ago,” Dragan said. “We must ensure that vulnerable populations such as this can access supports when needed.”

People who identify as LGBTQ+ have high rates of sexual violence victimization, but are less likely to file criminal reports or access medical care, counseling and advocacy services, she added. 

“We launched this campaign to let the LGBTQ+ community we are here,” Dragan said. “Sexual violence, it flys under the radar a lot because it is not something people want to talk about. They don’t pay attention or know we are available unless they need us.

“We just want to make sure if someone does need us, they know where to find us and know how we can help.”

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