R.O.S.A (Rising Over Sexual Abuse) in partnership with Womanspace, Inc. is hosting Trenton’s first Sexual Awareness 3K walk this April. In addition to the strong support of the city residents, among the walkers will be abuse survivors, local and state community and elected leaders, and the organizations’ local partners, advocates — all of whom, along with R.O.S.A, are fully committed to spreading awareness to empower our children, heal victims, educate adults, and transform society’s response to sexual assault.
WHEN: April 14, 2018 at 8am
WHERE: Cadwalader Park
Rain or shine!
The walk will kick-off with uplifting words and life changing testimonials from survivors of sexual abuse and advocates. Among the speakers are R.O.S.A founder and walk organizer, Tona Buck. Confirmed also to speak is experienced lobbyist and child and women’s advocate, Jeannine LaRue, who is also a survivor of sexual assault.
A resource health fair will be setup, offering secure health care screenings. Qualified health professionals and counselors from the organizations’ nonprofit partners will also be on site, providing educational materials, answering questions, and counseling pertaining to sexual and physical abuse, mental health, and wellness.
As a sexual assault survivor from the age of three, R.O.S.A’s founder, knows personally that breaking the silence is the first step from victim to survivor. When she finally had the courage to tell her mother about the abuse, her mother’s response was, “I wish you would have told me.” Her response to her mother was “I didn’t know what to tell.” Tragically, not knowing how or what to tell is one of the main reasons child victims do not report their abuse. Even into adulthood, they keep their abuse a secret.
On April 14, R.O.S.A (Rising Over Sexual Abuse) in partnership with Womanspace, Inc. will walk not only to spread awareness, but to let the courageous women and men who have been the victims of sexual assault know that there is support, they have a voice, and it will be heard. Together we stand to say NO MORE!
