It’s April 2021, can you believe it? So many of the challenging issues in our community are overcome through our connections. We see ourselves as family, friends, neighbors and community members. Those word mean so much more than labels to describe kinship or relationship. When you feel connected, it is lifeline in a time of need, support without judgment and uplifting when it seems there is nowhere to turn. You continue to make connections and the positive change they create possible with your support for ending violence in our communities. 

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM). Click here or in the calendar below to check our our events calendar. Providing support for victims and survivors of sexual violence and child abuse continues to be so important, especially with the added challenges the Coronavirus pandemic brings. Having safe online spaces is even more important, as we spend more time interacting in cyberspace. As technology has evolved to become a part of our everyday lives, our awareness of ways it can be used to bully, threaten, and commit abuse has grown as well: child pornography, online harassment, or posting unsolicited explicit images are a few examples of abusive behaviors online, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). Although the abuse occurs behind a screen, the impact on the victim, their loved ones and the community can be just as harmful as sexual violence committed in person. Believe a victim or survivor of sexual violence who shares their experience. Let them know you support them. Share WCSC’s 24-hour hotline number 340.773.9272, for free and confidential services, including counseling. Check out the NSVRC’s website for more information on SAAM events, including the #30DaysofSAAM Instagram Challenge and their “We Can Build Campaign,” for safe online spaces.

April 6 is NSVRC’s Day of Action. Sexual assault, harassment and abuse can happen anywhere, in online spaces too. We join NSVRC in encouraging you to commemorate SAAM. Show support for survivors of sexual harassment and abuse by wearing teal—the color of sexual violence prevention—on April 6th,  and posting a selfie to Twitter or Instagram using #SAAM2021. Wearing teal signals that you support survivors and are a safe person to talk to if they need to reach out.

What a milestone! In 2021, we celebrate community support for 40 years! The work to end violence and support survivors in healing continues until the day our services are no longer needed because peace, equality and healthy relationships are the norm for this planet! Thank you for continuing to being the change we need in our world! 

Let’s continue to create healthier communities through education and advocacy for those who believe they are not heard. We hear you, we see you, we believe you. I AM my sister. I AM my brother. I AM ze, zey and them. Together we are an unstoppable force for good!

Join 40/40/$40, a very special “fun-draising” campaign. Donate $40 and become a WCSC Ambassador. Ask 40 people in your circles to join your team of peacebuilders by donating $40 each, to help reach WCSC’s fundraising goal of $64,000 for our 40th anniversary year. If you’re already a WCSC 40/40/$40 Campaign Ambassador, remember to let your teammates know that they can donate by visiting this page and clicking the “Donate” link above. Please include their name and team number in the “Your Note for the Donor Scroll” or the additional information for your donation boxes on the page. Call or email Lavonne Wise, our fundraising coordinator for more information on joining the campaign or information, at 340.773.9272 or lwise@wcstx.org. Thank you for caring!

Videos from all four sessions of The Time Is Now: Discuss, Digest & Dismantle Racism In The USVI are available on our YouTube anti-racism playlist. Share your thoughts with us by completing the survey(s) for sessions you attended:

• Session One – Definitions: Racism vs Bias vs Prejudice vs Discrimination
• Session Two – Race Is A Myth–Class Is Real
• Session Three – Identifying Historical To Current Racism in the VI
• Session Four – A Call To Unified Community Action

Call our main office/crisis center or complete our contact form for more information.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, including safety planning or crisis counseling, please call our main office/crisis center at 340.773.9272. We are here when you are ready, with advocacy, programs and services at no cost to you, including 24-hour crisis intervention and more.