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Sexual Assault Awareness Month: – 04/22/20

Published on Tuesday, 21 April 2020 13:28

by Teresia Smith

The nation recognizes April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). SAAM aims to raise public awareness about sexual violence, communicate to members of the community what services are available to survivors and calls attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread. This proclamation is an invitation to join advocates and communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence. This is the 19th year of SAAM, and this year’s national theme is “I Ask.”

The ultimate goal is about more than awareness; it is about prevention. Since consent is a clear, specific example of what it takes to end sexual harassment, abuse and assault, this year’s campaign shares the message that asking for consent is a normal and essential part of sex.

The movement to end sexual violence relies on people to make a choice to get involved. This means no turning a blind eye or pretending sexual violence isn’t happening. Sexual violence seems inevitable, but the choice people have made to become educated, aware and involved in making changes in national conversations about sexual violence has helped to expand support for survivors. There are many ways to be involved in changing conversations about sexual violence, supporting survivors and preventing sexual violence before it happens. We must educate communities on how to show their support for survivors, as well as take a stand against victim blaming and hurtful misconceptions.

We know that one month cannot solve the serious and prevalent issue of sexual violence; however, SAAM generates an opportunity to strengthen prevention efforts throughout the year.

“The good news is that prevention is possible, and it’s happening. Individuals, communities and the private sector are already successfully combating the risk of sexual violence through conversations, programs, policies and research-based tools that promote safety, respect and equality. By promoting safe behaviors, thoughtful policies and healthy relationships, we can create safe and equitable communities where every person is treated with respect.” (National Sexual Violence Resource Center.)

There were many awareness events planned in our area before the need for social isolation; however, now we are using creative ways to get the message out during this month. If you know of someone who could benefit from our services, please share our information. Social media has become a great resource that many are embracing during this time. Here are some ways you can get information or participate:

• Please leave an encouraging note on Facebook to survivors of sexual assault with the #SAAM and #JacksonCountyCoalitionAgainstDomesticViolence.

• Crisis Services has Text Chat available if you are feeling stressed and need to talk to someone but don’t want to call. You can text anonymously with a crisis counselor by texting 256.722.8219 between the hours of 4pm – 11:30pm. Also, there is always someone to talk to at the HELPline, which can be reached at 256.716.1000.

• Join our Facebook group: Jackson County Support for Survivors of Sexual Assault where you will find informative and educational posts, as well as ways to communicate with advocates. This group is open to survivors as well as supporters.

• Even though our advocates are not in our office daily, our free, confidential services are still offered, just in a different format. Options such as voice calls, video calls and video support groups are available for you. Forensic nurses are still available to offer their services which include collection of rape kits and providing medical care after a sexual assault.

How can you help someone who has experienced sexual assault? To support victims, you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to believe them. Don’t ask what they were wearing or place any of the blame for a sexual assault on the victim.

The crime of sexual violence is based on power and control of another person and a victim does not cause someone to rape them by what they wear or where they go. Listen and let them talk and validate their feelings. Don’t try to “take charge” and tell them what they need to do. Let them take the lead and support their decisions. Get help for yourself. Helping someone cope with a sexual assault can be a difficult experience. In addition to offering services to a survivor, we also offer support services to secondary victims, which are those who are supporting an assault survivor such as parents, teachers, family members or friends.

This month is an extraordinary opportunity to increase awareness and change behaviors. The time to unite communities to combat sexual violence is now. Please join us as we strive to support survivors. There is a national network of community-based rape crisis centers, with centers available in every state and territory. These centers exist across the United States to provide supportive services to victims of sexual assault. In this area, Crisis Services of North Alabama maintains an office in Jackson County to provide services for residents who are in crisis due to domestic violence or sexual assault.

For more information or assistance, please call Crisis Services Jackson County Office at 256-574-5826 or our 24 hour HELPline at 256-716-1000.

Fishing tip of the week: – 04/22/20

Published on Tuesday, 21 April 2020 13:24

Habits of bedding fish
by Captain Mike Gerry

As we approach the bedding time of the largemouth bass, I thought I would spend some time talking about the habits of bedding fish as I see them on today’s crowded lakes. Make no mistake about it, the habits of bass on today’s busy lakes is quite different than it was ten years ago – maybe even fewer years than that. Today’s bass are much more pressured than ever before, and finding what was once easy bedding locations is now difficult.

The basics of bedding bass have changed considerably. We used to be able to bet on the fact that the bass would bed in many of the same locations year after year. Today, that is not necessarily true. What was once a good bedding location has changed considerably for many reasons. Not only the fishing pressure but the enormous amount of rain we seem to get in the spring changes where the bass bed, because it causes much more current than we used to get in the pre-spawn era.

The current changes the bottom. It pulls out the structure and moves what was once the ideal bottom area for fish to spawn on. It moves around the silted-in areas, pulls bank rip rap off the edges and changes to where the bass move for their annual spawning ritual.

It is also obvious to me that the depth in which bass spawn can change drastically on a lake. To me, this is a direct result of fishing pressure. If you are used to fishing an area that is constantly being pressured by fishermen, I find that the bass move to depths that are away from the heavily fished areas for the spawn.

his may only be a depth of four to five feet in depth, but it moves them off the banks where the fishing pressure is consistent. It’s always been a well-known fact that bass like to spawn on hard bottom areas. Many times that hard bottom can change, as one year it might be around stumps, but the next year it might change to shell beds, lily pad stems or clay banks. I’ve seen them change to under boat houses one year, and the next year they can’t be found around them. Point being, change with the bass and examine different areas for spawning bass.

Thoughts from The Bible: – 04/22/20

Published on Tuesday, 21 April 2020 13:11

God’s Rainbow Of Love
by Terry Broome

The story is told of a man out west who had a fine spring that furnished him with sparkling cold water for all his daily needs. One morning, however, an earthquake shook the earth and ruined the spring. The man was stunned and saddened by his apparent loss, but the next day a big gushing oil well appeared to take its place. The loss of something that he treasured actually opened the door for something better. In all likelihood this is more parable than fact, but it illustrates a very important truth for our lives. Many times God allows some apparent loss to come to us so that He might give us something better in its place.

It’s been said that for every cloud there is a rainbow, but we have to be in the proper position to see it. For instance, Noah and his family saw the rainbow of hope and promise set by God in the sky (Genesis 9:11-17); however, only after they had endured the flood and in complete submission to God’s Will could they experience this rainbow of hope. They had to get into the proper position by turning their backs to their home and the old world of sin that surrounded them in order to see God’s rainbow and learn of His promise to not destroy the earth again by flood waters. There had to be a cloud before they could see the rainbow of God’s love and promises.

Similarly, when the shadows of life fall on us, if we get in the proper position, facing Him in Christ, we can see God’s love shining through. Even as God’s Rainbow was set in the sky as a promise that He would never destroy the world again by flood, we have the hope of His promise that God will never leave us or forsake us as long as we stay in the right relationship with Him (Hebrews 13:5-6). We can see in the rainbow a kind of metaphor of God’s care for all those who are His.

Literal clouds come into every life. Hardly a day passes in which we cannot see a cloud and are reminded of God’s promise to Noah. Also, hardly a day passes but that there is a “cloud” of some kind in our lives. God knows that all sun and no clouds only creates a desert. If we never saw the “clouds” of life with all it’s heartaches, we would never see the rainbow.

He builds our lives by adversity as well as by prosperity. More character is built in the face of sorrow than in success. Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) 3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Heb 12:5-11 “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord…”

When we see all things in their true light, we see that life is made more beautiful and more useful because of the few hardships that God allows to come our way (1 Pet. 1:3-7). The same God who allows the clouds to come also sends the rainbow of hope and promises – deliverance through the trials we face, and ultimate salvation to those who are obedient to His Word and who walk in the light!!

The clouds do often cover our pathway, but just look up into the Father’s face, and you’ll soon know that He has a rainbow of hope and promises for you: Romans 8:1-2 (KJV) 1“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”

The author can be reached for comments at 256-574-2489