"Fear 2 Freedom" event helps victims heal

BY COLLEEN HUBER AND HOPE RACINE
“Fear 2 Freedom” will host their second annual Celebration Night on the University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Campus on April 2 to raise awareness for sexual assault.
“Fear 2 Freedom” is a leading global 501c3 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to bringing healing to individuals who are affected by sexual abuse. The organization’s mission is to help victims of sexual assault and to educate college students and communities on how to prevent sexual abuse, according to a press release from the organization.
Participants of the Celebration Night will be able to assemble one of 196 kits that will be provided for victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. The kits contain toiletries and clothing for victims who have to give their belongings for evidence. The kits will be delivered to the Mary Washington Health Care center.
“By assembling these kits, ‘Fear 2 Freedom’ is helping educate students on the grave nature of sexual assault, sex trafficking and date rape and to mobilize them to become a part of the solution,” the press release stated.
According to the rape, abuse and incest national network (RAINN), an American is sexually assaulted every two minutes. One in four women have been sexually abused before the age of eighteen. With such statistics, organizations such as “Fear 2 Freedom” have a daunting mission to accomplish.
Lisette Johnson, a survivor of intimate violence, will be the guest speaker at the event. Johnson provides medical professionals with information on how to recognize and approach patients about intimate partner violence.
“Lisette brings a unique vision of what it takes to migrate instant unanticipated change and offers a glimpse into the who, what and how of intimate partner violence,” according to the press release.
Johnson also talks to women, teens and churches about healthy dating and relationships.
Rosemary Trible, the founder and president of “Fear 2 Freedom,” will also be speaking at the event. Trible will share her personal story of being raped at 25 years old.
“In 1975, I hosted a morning TV talk show in Richmond called ‘Rosemary’s Guestbook.’ I did a show on sexual assault, never realizing I would be the next victim raped at gunpoint three days later,” said Trible in the press release.
“Fear 2 Freedom” is partnered with Virginia Commonwealth University, and will host the Celebration Night event in the Anderson Center from 6 to 8 p.m. The event will benefit the victims of sexual assault and will have music and refreshments for the participants.