OVER the past few months PROSAF has been quieter than usual. While, we have not had our usual strong public presence we have been working in the background.
PROSAF was created to address the serious and prevalent issue of Sexual Violence in St. Lucia. This problem needs to be addressed, but has yet to receive the adequate amount of attention. Survivors on island continue to be left with not much support and validation, many feel that no one understands what they have been or are going through.
We founded PROSAF, because we know, because we understand, because you deserve better. So while it may appear that we are not here, we are, we are working to make things better. It’s a journey and we are taking baby steps. We have not left or deserted you. We will continue to do as much as we can with our limited resources, we are here to help and listen.
I have attached a list of our work to date. This is only the beginning of what we are planning on accomplishing for survivors/victims of sexual violence in the Caribbean, especially St. Lucia.
–Souyenne
Past Projects
Facebook Support Group – May 2010
December 2011 – 1st. weekly article on Sexual Violence (VOICE Newspaper)
June 2012 – 1st. Study on island on Sexual Violence specific to St .Lucia.
November 2012 – Poster Presentation on Study 1 at The American Society of Criminology (ASC) – Chicago
December 2012 – 1st Support Group for Survivors of Sexual Violence
February 2013 – One Billion Rising St.Lucia – Theme: Education & Awareness (held inside Derek Walcott Square)
March 2013 – Panel Members (Velika & Myself) for Women’s International Day
April 2013 – Panel Discussion based on a movie on Sexual Violence (Sexual Assault Awareness Month)
July 2013 – 2nd Study on Sexual Violence
July 2013 – 1st Training of members to man Support & Validation Hotline
July 2013 – Introduction of PROSAF’s Support & Validation Hotline (currently run Thursday 6am-Sunday 6am)
August 2013 – 2nd Training of members for Support & Validation Hotline.
September 2013 – received Grant from British High Commission to run Sexual Violence Education Programs through Secondary Schools.
October 2013 – May 2014 – Sexual Violence Educational Programs throughout Secondary Schools. [Gros-Islet Secondary, George Charles Secondary, Soufriere Comprehensive, Corinth, Convent, Piaye Secondary, Upton Girls Garden Center, Sir Arthur Lewis Community College] (aided and supervised in the presentation made by 4 your women on Sexual violence at the International School.)
November 2013 – Paper Presentation on 1st and 2nd Study at The American Society of Criminology – Atlanta
November 2013 – Workshop for Secondary & District Counselors on Sexual Violence – how to address it.
February 2014 – Applied for UN Women grant in conjunction with CADVA. To run pilot projects in both St. Lucia and Guyana on addressing Sexual Violence.
February 2014 – Drafting of Violence Against Women Act and Educational Petition for signing from public.
February 2014 – One Billion Rising St. Lucia (Yr.2) Theme – Justice – Signing of petitions – (held outside Derek Walcott Square) – collected 1,432 signatures.
May 2014 – Presentation at Caribbean Studies Association
May 27th 2014 – Workshop with counselors from Boys Training Center.
June 20th – Participating in the PSVI Global Summit through British High Commission
July 2014 – Commencement of 2nd Support group
July 2014 – outreach within the communities of Gros Islet, Dennery & Castries to continue education and support for survivors. (currently in the process of being planned)
September 23-25 2014 – Presentation to OECS/OAS on GBV
October 4th & 14th 2014 – Sensitivity workshop on GBV
November 2014 – Presentation at The American Society of Criminology.
–Rebecca Hayes, Research Coordinator & External Consultant
Since my involvement with PROSAF we have conducted two research studies on island. The presentations were received at international venues in the Caribbean and abroad. These studies are now forthcoming publications in an academic journal and a book. These research studies were also used for grant applications, to inform programming, and to provide information to the St. Lucia Government. For our future growth, we will need to conduct more research to assess the needs of survivors on island, and whether these needs are being met. With limited (to no) funding and staff, this level of productivity will be challenging.
This summer will be the first summer in four years that I will not be visiting the island to assist PROSAF with research and day-to-day activity. It is my hope that others will step forward and assist the other directors. My availability for consultation and assistance with research remains the same. Our vision for the future remains the same, which is to continue to grow and meet the needs of survivors of sexual violence on island. Thank you to those who have helped and especially to those with the courage to come forward. We stand together St. Lucia to say that Sexual Violence will not be tolerated, anymore.
We at PROSAF are always here to listen and support you. Feel free to contact us via the information below. If you are interested in submitting an article or poem, please feel free to email us what you are thinking of and we can further discuss. Remember you are not alone. You are strong and brave. You will get through your healing process but it takes time and patience. We are here to help and listen. Feel free to contact us if you ever need a place to offload or vent. We are available for group and individual counseling.
Yours Sincerely,
Souyenne Dathorne
Email: [email protected] – [email protected]
Facebook: SURVIVING SEXUAL AB– USE IN THE CARIBBEAN:https://www.facebook.com/pages/PROSAF-Surviving-Sexual-Abuse-in-the-Caribbean/165341356853908
Twitter: @PROSAF_SUEEZZY: https://twitter.com/PROSAF_Sueezzy/Webpage: http://www.prosaf.net ( under construction)http://prosaf.tumblr.com/http://www.pinterest.com/prosaf/boards/http://ssaitco.wordpress.com/ Telephone: 1-758-724-9991(sue) 1-758-723-6466(vel)