Published: September 03, 2008 10:25 pm            

Seminar targets sexual abuse

Tina Blackledge of Oakhurst and her pastor, the Rev. Patti Simonsick, have launched a crusade against sexual abuse.

“We see a need in the community for sexual-abuse survivors and families,” Blackledge said in the First Mennonite Church, 705 Somerset St. in Kernville.

The two will host a free seminar at 6 p.m. Saturday in the church for parents, adult sexual-abuse survivors, health-care workers and other service providers.

Blackledge says she is a former teacher and volunteer court appointed special advocate. She has a master’s degree in human services, concentrating in child sexual-abuse issues, and is working on a master’s in mental-health counseling. She hopes to open a treatment center for the abused.

“It is my experience that no one specializes in it in this area,” Blackledge said.

Although headline cases and national exposure has raised awareness of the issue, people don’t always realize sexual abuse can happen anywhere. Abusers usually are not strangers, she added.

“There are dramatic things on television,” Blackledge said. “But in the family unit and community, they are not recognizing that. The neighbor two doors down: They could be blown away when the accusation comes up.”

Saturday’s seminar will include information about warning signs adults can watch for in children. While some are physical symptoms, others are less obvious, including night sweats, nightmares, unusual aggression, self-harm or withdrawal.

Although Blackledge said her investigation showed few local sexual-abuse programs, several agencies say they can help.

Cambria County Mental Health can provide individual therapy and will set up a support group if there is interest, Director Peter Kosanovich said.

“A lot of times these victims are reluctant to work in groups,” he said.

His office coordinates with Victim Services Inc. and Women’s Help Center Inc. Both agencies have staff trained in sexual-abuse issues. The Women’s Help Center works with those abused by a family member or acquaintance. Victim Services helps those abused by someone outside the home and family.

Both agencies offer counseling, court accompaniment and other support. Victim Services has a Wednesday morning support group for adult survivors of sexual abuse and offers child-abuse-prevention workshops and training for police officers, mental-health professionals and others.

As survivors of sexual abuse, Blackledge and Simonsick say they felt called to launch a grassroots program in Johnstown. Simonsick said she has counseled at least 20 abuse survivors.

“I felt like there needed to be a place where people could talk about what happened in their lives,” Simonsick said. “There are adults struggling day to day. There is just nowhere to go.”

In addition to Saturday’s seminar, the Mennonite church hosts two survivors’ support groups.

Many victims suffer from the effects of abuse for years after it has ended. They have trust issues and other problems in relationships, but can improve with proper care, Blackledge said.

“The good news is: You are not doomed to a terrible future,” Blackledge said. “You have to move from being a survivor to being a thriver.”



For help with sexual abuse issues:

Seminar and grassroots program, 6 p.m. Saturday in First Mennonite Chruch, 705 Somerset St., Johnstown.

More information: Sanit@atlanticbb.net or 535-1688.

Emergency and other services:

Victim Services Inc. -- 288-4961, Cambria; 443-1555, Somerset; 800-755-1983 hotline

Women’s Help Center Inc. -- 536-5361, Cambria; 443-2824, Somerset; 800-999-7406, hotline

        

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