Media Release

10:25 am

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - Alachua County Victim Services and Rape Crisis Center is proud to announce that copies of The Long Road:  Images and Words by Survivors of Sexual Violence are available free of charge to citizens. 

This anthology originated as a product of a Survivors of Rape Trauma Support Group that focused on writing as an exploratory and healing tool. Members completed writing exercises throughout the 10 week group, and then chose pieces for inclusion in the printed work that they felt best conveyed what they needed or wanted to share with others. After the group, survivors from the public were also invited to share images and writing. The final version includes an array of themes common to survivors of sexual violence at all stages of the healing journey. Both male and female survivors (people hurt as adults and as children, and people hurt within the context of a relationship) express their thoughts about both supporters and those who were not supportive. The Center is pleased to have met the three goals of this anthology: to give survivors a space to voice their experiences, to reach out to survivors who feel as if they are alone and disconnected after the violence, and to educate the public at large so that more people can understand and offer support to survivors. 

Some of the language and subject matter in the anthology is mature in nature.

Copies are available at The Community Support Services building, 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, or by calling 352-264-6764.

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