Hollister
– A local human services agency is working this month to spread
awareness about sexual assaults and one residents is making sure
her story gets heard.
Hollister – A local human services agency is working this month to spread awareness about sexual assaults and one residents is making sure her story gets heard.
Community Solutions, a victim advocacy group, is hosting a series of events and classes this April in part with National Sexual Assault Awareness month, said case manager Debbie Ruiz.
For local resident Andi Anderson, nothing could be more important. Anderson, a rape victim, spoke about her experience last week in front of the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street. Anderson said she wanted to help Community Solutions raise awareness.
“It’s about making people aware of it and how prevalent it is,” she said. “(Sexual assault) is everywhere.”
Anderson decided to speak out to help erase the stigma surrounding sexual assault and rape.
“If telling my story helps one person stand up, then it’s worth it,” she said.
Anderson, 41, was raped at gun-point by three men in Germany just two months before her 16th birthday. Anderson said the rape occurred after she snuck out of the house one night to hang out with some friends while she was staying with her family at U.S. military base in Germany. After missing her train ride home, she and two friends got a ride home with three German men they had met. Anderson was the last one to be dropped off.
“When I woke up, I didn’t know what had happened,” she said. “I didn’t know if I was dreaming or not.”
After reporting the rape, Anderson said her life became a nightmare. The police attacked her credibility and reputation, kids at school spread rumors and a doctor who examined her suggested she brought the rape on herself by wearing provocative clothing. But even after all that happened, Anderson said she never regretted her decision to report the crime. And that is the message she is hoping to spread this month.
“There is nothing worse than holding it in and staying silent,” she said. “It’s not going to be easy, they’ll attack every aspect of your character, but if it prevents one crime, it’s worth it.”
For more information, call Community Solutions at 637-1094.
