First Annual Walk-a-thon provides support during National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
“Recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month at Tulalip is important because sexual violence affects more people than we often realize—children, teens, adults, and elders alike. At Tulalip, it’s essential to recognize that sexual assault happens here, and that survivors should never feel like they have to remain silent. Programs like Legacy of Healing and the Child Advocacy Center (LOH/CAC) play a critical role in raising awareness, educating the community, and providing a safe place for those impacted to seek help. Most importantly, April is a time to honor the strength and resilience of survivors, and to affirm that their voices matter and their experiences are seen.”
– Marisa Chavez, Tulalip Legacy of Healing Lead Advocate
By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
On the afternoon of April 30, dozens of Tulalip citizens laced up their sneakers and joined together at the Tulalip Track & Field outside of the Teen Center. Every April, communities are rising up to bring attention to a subject that isn’t often openly talked about, providing a safe space for those who are ready to share their story, show support to those who aren’t, and bring healing to all survivors of sexual assault.
Although this isn’t the first time the Legacy of Healing and the Child Advocacy Center (LOH/CAC) participated in National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, this was the first year that they held a major event on the reservation.
The slogan for the gathering was, ‘No survivor should have to walk alone’, and in a symbolic effort of unity and support, participants walked upwards of three miles around the multi-sports complex to help bring attention to something that continues to happen at alarming rate in Indian Country.
According to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network, Native Americans are at the greatest risk of sexual violence. Their study shows on average, American Indians age 12 and older experience 5,900 sexual violence per year and are twice as likely to experience sexual assault compared to all other races. The website also lists that 41% of sexual violence acts against Natives are committed by a stranger; 34% by an acquaintance; and 25% by an intimate partner or family member.
Said Legacy of Healing and Child Advocacy Center Director, Malory Simpson, “It is important to recognize and support survivors because it takes a lot of courage to disclose. In all areas of abuse, supporting and believing survivors will help to reduce any further harm. It also helps to provide a support system to help navigate the system after disclosing.”
She continued, “Our team wanted to make a statement. Trying to think outside the box we came up with a Walk-A-Thon. The name, “Stepping with Survivors” seemed perfect to show our support for the survivors around our area. We want to see this become an annual event and are looking forward to the growth and education that will be put out into the community.”
After checking in near third base of the baseball diamond, people began walking laps around the paved track. While making their rounds, they were met with multiple posters that were placed along the fence of the fields that offered words of support such as ‘We believe you!’, ‘It’s not your fault!’, and ‘You are not alone!’ And upon completing each lap, they were awarded with a raffle ticket.
Participants were also asked to wear denim, as April 30th is recognized worldwide as Denim Day. Malory explained that this is a way to show support to an Italian woman who experienced life-threatening sexual violence at the age of 18 and pressed charges against her abuser. The abuser then filed an appeal and won, with the primary reason being that the jeans she wore were ‘too tight’ and therefore the act was deemed as consensual. Malory provided a link, and she encourages See-Yaht-Sub and Tulalip News subscribers to read more information about Denim Day, https://denimday.org/why-denim.
In total, there were around 40 participants, and their ages ranged from toddlers all the way to elders. The walk itself lasted around an hour and fifteen minutes. Before the people sat down in the common area of the sports fields to enjoy a delicious Hawaiian meal, they were afforded time to peruse the many resource tables stationed near the skate park.
As the people dished up their plates from the buffet style dinner, Kennady Proctor, Sexual Assault Family Advocate bravely shared, “I am speaking here today not just as a Legacy of Healing advocate, but as a survivor. That is one of the many reasons why I became an advocate. I was in those tough and scary situations from talking with police, to getting an invasive exam, to having to face my assailant in court, feeling utterly alone, thinking what will friends and families think of me? What did I do to make this happen? It was not until I was in college that I spoke out about what had happened to me. Many survivors of sexual assault may have had more than one incident or type of trauma that they have gone through. And unfortunately, in many communities, including this one, survivors may be too scared or nervous to reach out or make a report. Growing up we may think ‘Oh if this happens to me, I will call 911 or I will do A, B, or C.’ But truly no one knows until you’re faced with that situation. It wasn’t until later in the process of speaking up, was I offered and given an advocate. From that moment on, my perspective and viewpoint changed. I realized this is what I want to do in my future, once I have recovered and healed some from the trauma, I want to offer survivors of DV, SA, and other trauma the support, services, and give them back their voice, power, and control. Throughout the entire process, advocates can be there, and you do not have to do this alone.”
Kennady then asked for those who have been affected by sexual assault in their lifetime to stand up and relayed, “Once you have the strength and courage to stand, you will see you are not alone. This community is trying to do what is best for our children, learn from our elders, and build a better tomorrow.”
More than half of the people in attendance stood up in response to her request and a moment of silence was observed to show support to each of those individuals.
Following Kennady’s moving speech, the LOH/CAC then held their raffle for the event. This raffle was separate from the one they were promoting all throughout April for Child Abuse Awareness and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Prizes included a T Spa gift basket, Lushootseed children’s books, and Native-designed blankets.
After it was all said and done, the LOH/CAC tallied up the amount of total steps taken at the walk-a-thon by calculating the number of raffle tickets dispersed during the event, which was 130,020 and equates to approximately 62 miles.
Walk-a-thon participant, Mona Soltero, stated, “I came out to support Sexual Assault Awareness Month. My daughter Savanna is also an advocate now for the Legacy of Healing. But also, in the healing work I do, I see a lot of survivors. I’ve also had my own experiences. It felt good to come out and just be here, provide some energy, hear the stories, and support everyone.”
Following a successful first year for the walk-a-thon, that shows promise to grow as they build upon the event year after year, Malory expressed, “Today felt amazing! It truly was beautiful to witness the strength in each person with every lap completed. One word that was shared with me at the end of the event was, “VALIDATION!” A tribal elder who was there mentioned that to me after the event was over, she shared that we provided validation for survivors, for herself – she felt validated! That warmed my heart to hear.”
For more information, resources, and support, please reach out to the Legacy of Healing at (360) 716-4100.
