It is time for our community to come together to erradicate the ills that are so negatively impacting the health and welfare of our future, the young people.  We selected Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February to highlight the negative impact domestic violence and abuse has on our teens.  We will discuss the [...]]]> Teens and Adults,

It is time for our community to come together to erradicate the ills that are so negatively impacting the health and welfare of our future, the young people.  We selected Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month in February to highlight the negative impact domestic violence and abuse has on our teens.  We will discuss the issues and offer solutions.  Please join us in helping to set the national and global agenda on this subject matter.  Domestic Violence and Abuse does NOT Discriminate! It is truly a global issue.  We keep hearing this is a “heavy” subject matter.  But how heavy it is, it is even heavier for our youth to carry the burden alone. Your contribution to this discussion is much appreciated.  See attached registration form for details or contact us at 610.336.4393 or info@striveyouth.com.

In the Spirit of STRIVE,

STRIVE Teen Summit 2012 Registration

…stop the assault on our future!

After a few days of hearing continuous news reports about the monstrosity that occurred at Penn State, I could no longer hold my silence.  To repeatedly hear about the alleged sexual abuse and rape of at least nine boys by Jerry Sandusky, I [...]]]> If not now, then when?

…stop the assault on our future!

After a few days of hearing continuous news reports about the monstrosity that occurred at Penn State, I could no longer hold my silence.  To repeatedly hear about the alleged sexual abuse and rape of at least nine boys by Jerry Sandusky, I was sickened.

I have worked with youth for over 16 years to help them overcome barriers that hinder them from living more productive lives.  In order to help these young people, they must first have some level of respect and trust for you.  To believe that someone intentionally preyed on troubled youth behind the mask of helping them is despicable, hateful and downright ugly.  I’ve seen firsthand what it takes to rebuild a person that has been sexually assaulted.  It is not an easy feat.  It takes continuous reinforcement that they are somebody and somebody important; they are not responsible for what happened to them; they deserve better and the person that assaulted them should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law; etc. You then must equip them with the resources to help them overcome.  That includes being a resource yourself.

Many people look at these children and immediately right them off because the task of making them whole again is too daunting.  They often label these victims as bad seeds, strange, weird, broken, low achievers, high risk or at risk, losers and the list goes on. But not because something they “the victim” imposed on themselves, but because of something that someone stole so valuable from them…their dignity. That is not fair! In fact, every breath these children take after they’ve been assaulted is a success.  They are winners, survivors, over-comers and so much more.

Society needs to begin treating the victim with much more reverence and empathy.  Just take a moment to walk in their shoes.  You will quickly see it is not easy. It takes a lot to try to rationalize the “why me?”, when it should not have ever happened to you or anyone else for that matter.  The stigma attached to a rape victim is so overwhelming that victims tend to bottle up everything that happened to them and attempt to live a normal life without getting any help or counseling.  That is tough!  You start to question your sexuality; your purpose in life; who you could trust; why no one helped you; if you are somebody; if life is worth living; what happened to my family protecting me; and why me? It becomes so overwhelming, that suicide or self-hatred starts to sound very promising.

Survivors, please know that suicide and self-hatred is not an option! You have so much to give to this world even though so much was taken from you.  You are not alone. There are many victims that have walked in your shoes and have gone on to lead promising lives.  You can do it too!  I ask you to first believe in yourself again.  Understand that you did not fail, but society failed you! Surround yourself with people that truly support and have unconditional love for you. Every day work at making you the best you can be in order to ensure this place we live is better than it was yesterday.

Teachers, Youth Advocates and Parents, please take the time to know the signs to look for so you can quickly identify the young people that need your immediate assistance and support. Some signs include: drop in grades, behavior challenges, isolation, unusual nervousness, self-image issues, promiscuous behavior, sexual identity issues and self doubt.  If you see these signs or others, please take action.  We need to change the media discussion from Sandusky to the support systems needed to help these alleged victims overcome the barriers placed in front of them as a result of the assault.

This is a global issue we are dealing with.  It does not start or stop with Penn State. Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted¹.  If we don’t speak up now to stop this assault on our youth, then when?

I look forward to hearing your comments and suggestions on how to help eradicate this ill.  Look out for STRIVE’s upcoming Teen Summit this winter that is focused on finding solutions to domestic violence and abuse.

¹RAINN http://www.rainn.org/get-information/statistics/frequency-of-sexual-assault

SaLisa L. Berrien

President and Founder

STRIVE Inc.