When I was in my 30s, I decided to volunteer for the Rape Crisis Line. The Rape Crisis Line provides a safe place for women to talk about past or ongoing abuse that is free and confidential, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
After
receiving over 30 hours of crisis line training, I was given the night shift. I answered the phone and talked to women who
had been raped, victims of unwanted touching, incest survivors, and survivors
of childhood and adult sexual assault.
In
many of the calls that I received, I found that the perpetrators were family
members or neighbours; oftentimes, victims were harmed by the same people who
were supposed to love and protect them.
It was a very saddening thing to discover.
Other
times, I would meet a survivor at the hospital.
I had received extensive training and would be there to help and advocate
for them.
I
remember one time in particular when I was called to help a survivor at the
hospital. While there, part of my job
was to ask questions that would help give a woman back her power.
I
asked, “Do you want me in the room?”
She
said, “Yes.”
“Do
you want me to call any friend or relatives?”
“No.”
“Do you want all three police officers in the room or just one?”
