From Trauma to Healing to the Walk for Change

A man smiling while seated, wearing a collared shirt. Text below reads: "Jim Holland, Survivor Speakers Bureau member, supporting the Boston Rape Crisis Center.

Who

You! Survivors, friends, family members, colleagues, partners, activists, volunteers, staff, interns, community members, and even your four-legged friends (on leashes) are welcome to join us.

What

Walk alongside us, in solidarity with survivors. Choose to walk in-person or walk “from anywhere.” No matter where you walk, you are showing survivors that they are not alone, and we are all in this together!

When

Sunday, April 21, 2024 | 8:30 a.m.– 12 p.m.

Where

DCR’s Constitution Beach in East Boston

Why

Help raise awareness and funds to support survivors of sexual violence. Your support helps BARCC continue to provide free, trauma-informed care to survivors. It also enables BARCC to advocate for policies and strategies that help prevent sexual violence from happening in the first place.

How

Secure your spot at the 2024 Walk for Change now by registering! You can participate as an individual or as part of a team.

The following post was written by Jim Holland, a survivor who came to BARCC for counseling and serves as a Survivor Speakers Bureau volunteer. Content note: childhood sexual assault.

My involvement with BARCC happened somewhat accidentally.

About 12 years ago I was looking to join a men’s healing group and find support with individual therapy. As memories of my childhood sexual assault kept coming back, and the emotions associated with those memories intensified, I knew I needed help but didn’t know where to turn. Aside from a few online resources or a book here and there, I couldn’t find any good professional services to help me deal with this type of trauma.

After all, I thought, who would believe me? I’m a grown man and according to societal norms men should be able to take care of themselves. Were there even services out there for men like me? There was so much stigma around men who were survivors of sexual assault that it took me a long time to come to grips with what had happened to me and how I could start my healing journey. I was looking at it all through the eyes of a 40-year-old man and not the 13-year-old boy who was still hurting.

As luck would have it, one of the facilitators of the men’s group worked for BARCC. We started talking, and he told me about all of the services BARCC offered for survivors of sexual violence, including men. I turned to BARCC during this time, and it was a lifesaver for me. The staff at BARCC helped me work through my emotions so I wasn’t stuck in my head anymore. I was able to learn the skills needed to cope with my PTSD. Once I got to a safe point in my healing I knew I wanted to give back and provide the support for survivors and their loved ones, just as I had received. I found out about the Survivor Speakers Bureau (SSB), attended the training, and have been involved with BARCC and sharing my story for the past eight years.

This year’s theme for the Walk for Change is “Healing for Every Survivor,” and that is truly the theme of BARCC’s work every day. From the wide array of services offered by BARCC (hotline and web chat, legal assistance, and medical advocacy just to name a few) to the range of folks being served—not just the diversity of survivors, but support for their loved ones and their communities as well—BARCC really is a lifeline to anyone who has been impacted and hurt by sexual violence.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to open up the Walk for Change with then-City Councilor Ayanna Pressley. She was, and still is, energetic, hopeful, and a tremendous advocate for every survivor. While this year’s Walk may not be in person, I still look forward to joining Congresswoman Pressley, fellow survivors, and every member of the BARCC community for a celebratory day of healing and connection. I hope you will join me.

I will end my story with this message to every survivor: you are never alone. There is an entire community of people willing to listen and lend a helping hand if you are willing to take that first step. If you don’t know where to turn, turn to BARCC, and they will help you get started on your journey to healing. The road to healing will be a winding one, but we will all get there.

Event Location

Constitution Beach Boston Massachusetts

Our Sponsors

FAQs

Don’t see your question? Send us an email at info@barcc.org

What Do I Do Immediately After an Assault?2024-10-22T16:47:12+00:00

The first few days after a sexual assault can be a very confusing time. You may have questions and be faced with difficult decisions. During this time you may not want, or be ready, to make many of these decisions. This is normal and okay.

You can call our 24-7 hotline at 800-841-8371 any time or chat online 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. to talk to a hotline counselor about your options.

To learn more about your choices after an assault, visit Immediate Actions.

How Do I Get In Contact with BARCC?2024-10-22T16:48:18+00:00

You can call our 24-7 hotline at 800-841-8371 any time or chat online 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. to talk to a hotline counselor.

If you are interested in time-sensitive medical care and evidence collection options, we recommend that you call the hotline 24-7 at 800-841-8371 or chat online [Link to Chat Online] 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.

If you would like to begin counseling, legal advocacy, immigration, or case management services at BARCC, please submit a request online on our Request Services Page or by phone at 617-492-8306, and our service access team will explore your individual needs with you.

To protect the privacy rights of survivors and their families, we do not communicate about cases via email. Please call us at 617-492-8306 during regular business hours to talk about how we can help you.

Legal process notices, summonses and court orders should be sent to:

Keeper of Records
BARCC
99 Bishop Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139

Office: 617-492-8306

What Happens When I Reach Out to the Hotline?2024-09-06T09:54:58+00:00

We support people in all stages of their experience. This could be immediately after an assault or years and even decades into the healing process. Here what will happen when you contact either the phone hotline or webchat.

  • A friendly, nonjudgmental person who believes you will answer the call. The person will tell you that if you share that you plan to end your life and are unable to engage in safety planning, they may call 911. You always have a choice to share or not to share.
  • The person will ask some questions to identify what will help you in this exact moment.
  • The person will share ideas and options about what to do next, but how to move forward is your choice.

BARCC will not share your information with anyone unless you provide consent. You do not have to share any information you don’t want to. You can call anonymously by choosing option 2 in the main menu or by using our web chat.

What Happens After I Submit a Request For Services?2024-10-22T16:49:54+00:00

A trained rape crisis counselor will respond to your request within three business days. If you want to talk to someone before that, please call the hotline 24-7 at 800-841-8371 or chat online 9:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. If you have not heard from someone after several days, please call our office at 617-492-8306 to request services.

How Do I Get Training for My Business, Community Group, or School?2024-10-22T16:50:17+00:00

Request a Training, Workshop, or Speaker or e-mail engagements@barcc.org. You will hear from BARCC’s training intake coordinator within 24 business hours regarding your request. Submitting the form does not confirm your requested training; you must speak with the intake coordinator first to assess the needs of your organization and confirm logistics. We kindly ask that you make requests three weeks prior to the date of your event.

Are BARCC’s services confidential?2024-10-22T16:50:42+00:00

Yes. All written and verbal communication concerning a client is kept private and will not be shared with anyone outside BARCC unless the client says it’s OK in writing—except as required by law in three cases:

  • If we believe that a client is at high risk to hurt themselves or someone else
  • If we believe that a child under 18, an adult 60 and over, or a person 18–59 with a disability requiring assistance with activities of daily living, is being physically, emotionally, or sexually abused, or neglected
  • If ordered by a court; if you think you might be involved in a court case, please talk with a BARCC legal advocate about your privacy and confidentiality rights

We will tell you when we are required to make a report and what information we will share. We will not share more than what is required by law.

You may choose what information you want to provide to BARCC. You will not be denied services if you choose not to tell us certain identifying information, including immigration status. Learn more about our confidentiality policies.

Are BARCC’s services free?2024-09-06T09:55:40+00:00

Yes. BARCC’s services are free and confidential for survivors of sexual violence and their families, friends, and partners.

I don’t live in Boston. Can I still call BARCC?2024-10-22T16:52:04+00:00

Our service area is generally defined as within the Greater Boston area, covering 29 cities and towns. If you live in this area or were assaulted in this area, please don’t hesitate to reach out to BARCC through our 24/7 hotline 800-841-8371 or send us a chat from 9:00 a.m–11:00 p.m. daily. If you are beyond our service area, we can connect to your local rape crisis center and other resources that may help yo

2024-09-10T12:10:00+00:00
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