Recent headlines are a painful reminder of the barriers survivors face and why support systems matter.  

Sexual violence on college campuses is once again dominating the headlines. The civil lawsuit against fraternity members and administrators at Cornell University following the alleged drugging and sexual assault of a student has sparked outrage across the country. Allegations that the assault was reported to, and mishandled by, law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office have deepened that concern.  

For many survivors, stories like this are more than news. They are reminders of how often survivors are met with doubt, delays, or systems that fail to respond appropriately.  

At WEAVE, we believe survivors.  

As Sacramento County’s Rape Crisis Center since 1988, we are the safe place where survivors come to share their experiences. Too often, these experiences include not being believed by those who should protect them. The actions of the survivor are questioned with greater intensity and scrutiny than is ever asked of the perpetrators. These reasons, and more, are shared by those who do not report – fearing that reporting will be more traumatic than the assault.  

WEAVE shows up for survivors every hour of every day.  

We are on college campuses so that students have a confidential resource while deciding how to navigate the aftermath of an assault. Our advocates respond when a survivor reports the assault and must undergo a forensic medical examination. We are here years later when survivors reach out for counseling.   

We are also here when national headlines reignite painful memories and survivors need someone to talk to.  

WEAVE has been showing up for sexual assault survivors for 38 years, and we will keep showing up. But sustaining these critical services is becoming increasingly challenging.  

Our 24/7 sexual assault services lack adequate funding and require constant evaluation of every expense. Ongoing changes in government funding at the state and federal level create greater instability.   

The reality is that ending sexual violence is not solely the work of WEAVE or the sexual assault prevention movement. It is a shared responsibility that belongs to all of us. It requires more than teaching our children how to stay safe or not cause harm. It calls on us to intervene when others are vulnerable, to challenge attitudes that excuse violence, and to speak up when someone questions a survivor’s actions while remaining silent about the perpetrator’s.  

Everyone has a role to play.  

Whether that means learning more about how to support a survivor, having difficult conversations that challenge harmful attitudes, advocating for systems that respond appropriately to reports of violence, or investing in services that help survivors heal, each action contributes to a safer community.  

Supporting survivors requires all of us. If you’d like to help ensure survivors continue to have access to 24/7 advocacy, counseling, and support services, please consider making a donation.  

Survivors deserve to be believed. They deserve support. And they should never have to navigate healing alone.