DOVES Program helps bring awareness to sexual assault

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (KNEP) - During Sexual Assault Awareness Month the DOVES Program is brining more attention to healing and self care.

Through the month of April the DOVES Program will be focusing on highlighting the importance of healing and self care with sexual assault. The program wants remind people healing is a process that requires time, patience, and support. It also wants to offer some tips to help survivors and the people around them help make the process easier.

The tips include:

• Ask the survivor how you can help them.

• Respect them enough not to pity them.

• Ask if it’s OK before you hug or even touch them, and be OK with a “no.”

• Offer to accompany them to their first therapy session or to DOVES.

• Allow them to tell you as much or as little as they need to.

• Aim to find the difference between being supportive and overbearing.

“So for Sexual Assault awareness month this year we are really focusing on survivors healing and what self care looks like for them,” Prevention and Education Specialist Lisa Peden said.

If people wish to seek help from the DOVES Program, it can be contacted at its 24-hour Helpline at 866-95-DOVES or its 24-hour Text Line at 515-599-6620.