Editor’s Note: This story contains sensitive subject matter that readers may find upsetting. 

During the month of April, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community hosted several events to help continue to raise awareness and showcase support for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 

Here, in the Community, the Health and Human Services Prevention and Intervention Department helped facilitate weekly gatherings, both in-person and virtual. The month-long awareness month encouraged membership, staff and their loved ones to showcase their support by dressing in teal, wearing their finest denim, and continue to believe survivors while remembering the loved ones we have lost to sexual assault. 

ACESDV Webinar – Sexual Violence 101

On April 15, the HHS team assisted with a webinar presentation, “Sexual Violence 101,” facilitated by Sierra Mark of the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence (ACESDV). 

“Sexual violence is any unwanted actions,” said Mark during the webinar presentation. Her webinar explained the impacts of sexual violence as well as informing individuals on ways they can help. “An act that is sexually violent does not mean someone is forced down or physically assaulted. These are all unwanted and unwelcome sexual acts, taking away a person’s right to body autotomy,” said Mark. She added, “Sexual violence can occur without physical touch.”

Mark shared that in a 2020 study conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice showed that every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted. “Most times, sexual violence comes from a person an individual trusts and knows,” said Mark. “Usually, the child knows the person committing sexual assault. Only a small portion comes from complete strangers. More than likely, the person [who committed sexual assault] was in the child’s social circle. These are family members, friends, coworkers, acquaintance, etc.,” shared Mark. 

Later, Mark informed how we all can become better supporters to those who disclose sexual assault instances. “Blaming victims does nothing. When the victims are blamed, they are less likely to disclose and report in the future. They won’t receive justice within the criminal justice system and perpetrators continue, along with trauma and depression. Both go hand-in-hand.”

She added, “Survivors don’t control how they respond to trauma. Nobody deserves assault. We must remember, healing is not a straight line. We must always listen and believe survivors.”

The Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse

On April 22, Dr. Melissa Manning from the River People Health Center began her webinar presentation, “The medical evaluation of child sexual abuse,” by stating an important fact.

“Saying to a child, ‘I believe what you say’ can be therapeutic to that child,” she said. During her presentation, Manning highlighted the crucial and important steps her and the RPHC staff conduct when there is a report of child sexual abuse. 

“We want to treat the whole child, even if there is sexual abuse that has occurred,” Manning said. Over 115 guests attended the online presentation. 

Manning’s presentation detailed when a sexual assault report has been submitted to the proper authorities, a medical evaluation is the crucial next step. 

“I don’t get into details of time/what happened. But if the kid tells me the type of contact that happened, that allows me to test for STI’s and conduct my medical piece appropriately,” said Manning. 

Ensuring the child is as comfortable as possible, Manning reiterated to webinar attendees that a patient’s comfort level is constantly maintained and is of the utmost importance. “I tell children we’re going to take pictures of their body for this checkup only. No one else should be taking pictures of your privates. If it happens, tell someone.”

All photos/video conducted by RPHC during an exam become legal and confidential documents. 

She continued, “During exam, if a child wants to see their body on camera, they can and are allowed to. If they decide no, that’s their choice,” Manning said. 

During the webinar presentation, photos of sexual abuse were shared as Dr. Manning educated all on the negative impacts sexual assault has on a child, which include anxiety, depression, loneliness, feelings of isolation and much more. “Never discount the validity of a child’s story,” said Manning. 

“My job as a pediatrician is to do what is in the best interest for the child in that moment. Keep in mind, the child has been abused in the worst way possible. The medical evaluation process can be validating to the child. Even though a medical exam can be normal, it doesn’t discount what the child has said about what has happened to their body,” she said.

Teal and Denim Days

To continue to showcase support, on April 8, the SRPMIC unveiled “Teal Day” in the Community. Annual “Teal Days” are held on the second Tuesday of April. Similar to how pink represents support for breast cancer, the color teal was selected as the official color to help raise awareness of sexual assault.  Community membership, staff and their loved ones wore teal to show support to those impacted by sexual assault.

Additionally, the SRPMIC Family Advocacy Center highlighted “Denim Day” on April 30 by hosting a community-outreach vendor booth inside of the Round House Café. Established in 1999, “Denim Day” was created in response to a 1998 court-case in Italy in which a decision was overturned when a judge exclaimed that a victim must have consented to her rape since she was wearing tight denim jeans. A worldwide uproar soon followed and now “Denim Day” is held on the last Wednesday of April each year to help believe survivors and end victim-blaming. 

FAC staff handed out informational brochures as well as handouts which detailed the department’s services and contact information. Many were encouraged to visit the FAC booth to write a message on denim of Community-wide support by writing in permanent marker.  

If you or someone you know is seeking medical assistance, please contact the River People Health Center by dialing (480) 278-7742.

For those needing assistance from the SRPMIC Family Advocacy Center, please dial (480) 362-5425.

In case of an emergency, please dial 911.