Category: Supporting Survivors

Domestic Violence as a Queer and Trans Public Health Issue

By Alexis Canfield Each year we recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In this month, we try to bring awareness to those who have been impacted by domestic and interpersonal violence, give them a place to tell their stories, and hopefully inspire change. The National Coalition against Domestic Violence (n.d.) defines domestic violence as… Read More

The Unique Struggles of Latinx Survivors

By Samantha Sheppard, STAR Bilingual Advocate Beginning September 15th, we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month. At STAR, we are working to expand our reach to increase access to survivors of sexual violence in the Latinx community. I was hired as a bilingual advocate for STAR’s Baton Rouge office earlier this year. My colleague, Bianca Dixon, and… Read More

Speaking the Truth Out Loud

By Rebecca Marchiafava, MPP STAR Vice President “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we will ever do.” – Brene Brown In the work that we do at STAR, we witness survivors’ stories. We hear about their pain, trauma, triumph, hope, and healing. Because of the privacy and… Read More

What #StartByBelieving Means To Me

By: Vonnie Hawkins, LCSW, STAR Board of Directors The feeling of being alone in my pain was so paralyzing and dark. I literally felt frozen and stiff, hard-hearted and judging as I walked through my life because that’s what it took to hold it all together. I judged others harshly because I was judging myself… Read More

Black Women, Suffering in Silence

The Mind Set of Sexual Violence Among African American Women By: Javonda Nix “Who knows what the black woman thinks of rape? Who has asked her? Who cares?” – Alice Walker (2004) Broken. Vulnerable. Scared. Depressed. Women who have been sexually assaulted experience all of these emotions.  However, due to societal pressures, black women often… Read More

TITLE IX: Proposed Changes and Commenting Process

Title IX was first implemented in 1972 in response to gender discrimination in women’s sports. Since then, it has expanded into a living document that includes prohibiting discrimination based on sex in education. It serves as a guide for K-12 and higher education on protocols for these cases. In November 2018, Besty DeVos, US Secretary… Read More

Barriers to Self-Care: Tips for Survivors

By: Dana Rock, LMSW Self-care can be hard to put into practice. Day to day responsibilities tend to take priority over taking time to relax and recharge. People often tell themselves they will focus on self-care when they have more time, after this one hard test, or when their next vacation rolls around. This can… Read More

Silence is Self-protection

By Racheal Hebert, LCSW Founder, President & CEO of STAR The recent flurry of news targeting Brett Kavanaugh’s accuser as being exploitative, politically motivated, or even an outright liar reminds us that we live in an oppressive culture of disbelief and judgment towards survivors of sexual violence. We simply cannot accept that those we love,… Read More

Agents of Change: Jordan Gonzales

“It is incredibly rewarding for me to see even the smallest of changes with clients. To be there as clients learn one new way of coping, or experience one tiny change in the way they see themselves, is a huge honor.” – Jordan Gonzales 1. What is your position at STAR? I’ve been a counselor… Read More