I write today overwhelmed by the support of our community. Our community has stepped up and donated $7,370 to Save SART! Equally exciting is the awarding of a $10,000 grant from the Community Greatest Needs Fund of the Sacramento Region Community Foundation!

With your support today, we can reach our goal of raising $25,852. With your help, every victim of sexual assault will have access to the supportive services they need and deserve.

Last week, I shared Sarah’s story of survival without a SART Program. Sarah’s journey included years of unnecessary struggles and heartache. You can ensure that Sarah’s pain is not experienced by a victim in our community. Your support means victims get support within hours of the assault – not years. Your donation creates immediate healing.

Mary’s story shows the power of the SART Program and the importance of immediate support.

I never expected to be a victim. Even when the assault was happening, I kept thinking “this isn’t real”. I knew the man who raped me and simply couldn’t believe he was a monster. The reality of what happened to me didn’t set in when I called the police. It didn’t sink in as we were going to the hospital. It was only as I was sitting there in the waiting area trying to get warm that I realized what had happened.

The SART Advocate arrived about the time I lost it. She held my hand and told me it would be okay. She told me it was not my fault. She stayed with me for the next six hours until the exam was complete. She made sure I had clothes to leave in and a snack. She told me someone from WEAVE would check in on me in a couple of days. She encouraged me to use the 24 hour telephone line if I needed to talk and suggested I see a WEAVE counselor when I was ready. She constantly reassured me that WEAVE would be there with me as long as I needed them. I couldn’t imagine not needing someone.

I can’t stress enough how important her words were – and still are – to me. She didn’t question my judgment even when I was questioning myself. She made sure I understood what was happening and helped me take control of the chaos around me. She made sure I knew how to reach out when I needed to – even if it was the middle of the night. If it wasn’t for the Advocate taking each step with me, I know I would not have made it through without her.

Mary’s story is one of hope and survival. With your help, we can ensure every victim of sexual assault has hope. Your gift means that every victim becomes a survivor. Your donation means a victim is never left alone to question herself.

Please make a donation to the SART Program today. With your help, we keep the SART Program operating and continue to provide hope and healing.

Sincerely,

Beth Hassett
Executive Director