On Wednesday, April 6, UMW students and student-athletes gathered in the Ron Rosner Arena to assemble essential after-care kits for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. The after-care kits will be distributed to Safe Harbor, Mary Washington Hospital, and RCASA.
The event began with Rosemary Trible, founder and President of Fear 2 Freedom, sharing her powerful and impactful story with the students in attendance. She urged them to stand up against sexual assault and help restore the joy among sexual assault survivors. Another survivor, Joe Belsterling, shared his journey as a survivor of sexual assault and encouraged not only the UMW students, but all people to talk about this issue and face it head on.
The after care kits assembled by UMW students included an appropriately sized t-shirt, sweatpants, and underwear, a toiletry kit, a pen and journal for adults and a toy for children, a “You Matter 2” Card, a Resource Card, a Freedom Bear, and a personal, handwritten note. After all of the kits were assembled, the students walked them outside the Anderson Center and into an ambulance for distribution.
Many UMW faculty/staff members were also in attendance for the support of sexual assault and abuse survivors. Director of Athletics, Ken Tyler, added, “I’m so proud of our student-athletes and staff for their leadership in this meaningful event. The University of Mary Washington knows what it means to “be the change” and I’m very glad UMW Athletics could make life a little better for victims tonight. What a great night to be an Eagle!”
