In Her Own Words: Katie's Story 

After I was sexually assaulted, I lived my life in fear and in shame. I blamed myself for what had happened to me. I felt damaged and had lost all hope for a bright future. I was alone, falling down a dark hole I didn't think I would ever come out of. 

I desperately needed help. I took advantage of the resources my school offered,  

but to no avail. I needed something more, something to make me feel whole again. Then I remembered a card with the number for the 2-1-1 hotline. I had received it at a resource fair at my school. I was anxious, but I hesitantly decided to call it.

The person on the other end of the phone offered me much solace. She felt my pain. She told me I was not alone and that I was going to be okay. A feeling of safety took over; with kind empathetic words and a referral to the Corbett Trauma Center, I felt my broken world come together.

From there I became involved with the Empower Group. I was welcomed into this community with open-arms. Everyone here held within them a story of strength  

and resiliency. I learned from each and every one of them. In addition to this new found sense of community I found within the empower group; I learned coping skills from each presenter that graciously offered themselves and their time to facilitate our workshops. From jumping out of an airplane, to walking on broken glass, to expressing myself and my strength through writing, I took with me a sense of resiliency and empowerment.
 
The Crisis Center was there to help me pick up the pieces of my shattered world and guide me towards the light at the end of the tunnel. With the help of so many compassionate people here at the center, I was able to find myself and begin my journey towards healing. For the first time after my assault I felt hopeful and I felt whole.

The Crisis Center is only able to help women like Katie through the support of people in our community. You can help survivors of sexual assault by making a donation HERE.