Amethyst Project helps those in need

YWCA OFFERS SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE

The YWCA Amethyst Project is beginning its third year of providing support to victims of sexual violence. This project is a victim-centered, victim-directed service that provides crisis support 24/7, and responds to all disclosures of sexual violence at the Chinook Regional Hospital emergency room.

Prior to the project, a person would only have two options after disclosing an assault: being treated medically or reporting to police and having a sexual assault kit administered.

A third option with the project allows victims to have a sexual assault kit administered and would have one year to decide if they wanted to pursue the criminal justice route.

The project also provides education and awareness to service providers, youth and the public about sexual violence and forms of abuse associated with sexual violence.

In its first year, the project had more than 100 disclosures at the CRH of sexual assault. The project has supported over 1,000 people in the community in three years since its initial start, connecting with them in a variety of ways.

By providing crisis support and the opportunity of having enough time to make decisions, it promotes healing and recovery in victims, reducing stress and giving victims more control.

Jennifer Lepko, CEO for the YWCA Lethbridge & District, said the main aspect of the Amethyst Project is to support the victim however they need to be supported.

“When we look at sexual violence, it’s about power and control, and what we want to do is put the control back into the victims’ hands and empower them through the opportunities to make decisions, and to grieve,” said Lepko.

She adds whichever healing path the victims choose, giving them support to empower themselves to make the decisions of how they want to move forward is important.

Not only do they have supports available for victims but for their families, friends and partners who are also affected by the trauma surrounding sexual violence.

Advocates for the project provide support at the CRH with anything the victim needs.

Lepko said the repoire that is developed between the advocates and victims helps empower them, and put them on a healing path much quicker when they’re at their most vulnerable.

Another goal of the project is to help victims validate their feelings and emotions, and help them see that what happened to them is not their fault because they were a victim of a crime.

“People need to be validated because it is an extreme trauma. People need people to get through things, and that’s how we’re designed as human beings,” said Lepko.

The YWCA wanted to find a symbol that would resonate with helping victims heal from their trauma, when they came across the idea of the amethyst crystal.

This healing crystal is a symbol for strength, resiliency and courage.

“We want them to, yes, survive but we don’t want them to just survive, we want them to thrive,” said Lepko. “To be able to move forward and get to where they were before or beyond.”

The YWCA helps empower women with programs and services that support equality and promote wellness of mind, body and spirit.

The organization works to achieve positive change in the lives of women and their families by providing strong leadership and mentoring opportunities for women and girls.