CEASE is getting ready to paint the town purple this October. In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the organization will place purple ribbons on light poles in Maynardville to raise awareness in the community.

But it’s not just about ribbons. CEASE staff members will visit local schools to raise awareness about dating violence. They’ll also visit local businesses and organizations to promote the Safe Happens Here program, which is aimed at raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault and giving community members the tools to create a safe atmosphere through prevention and intervention techniques.

Rachel Washam is the sexual assault response team coordinator and sexual assault advocate at CEASE’s Maynardville location. She’s been on the job since July 2, and she said the number of sexual assaults reported in Union County is relatively low. That might seem like a good thing, but Washam said it’s not.

“The reason it’s so low is because people don’t think they have anyone to talk to about it,” she said. “It’s not that we want that number to grow. We want it to stop, but there’s more than just a few people getting sexually assaulted each year.”

The yearly sexual assault statistics nationwide are one in four women and one in seven men.

“A lot of people don’t know we’re here, and a lot of the ones who do know we’re here think we’re not needed,” said Washam. “Most victims don’t step out or say anything. But it’s OK to say something. I’m here to provide support and encouragement.”

Washam helps victims through every step of the process, going with them to a doctor or hospital, helping them seek legal services, going with them to court, or just providing counseling in a caring, confidential, non-judgemental environment. Washam added that CEASE is not just for women since men can be victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, too.

“We are here for men, too,” she said. “And it’s probably more embarrassing for a man to speak up than it would be for a woman. We are here for support.”

Washam is working on putting together a sexual assault response team for Union County, and she’s looking for volunteers from law enforcement, healthcare, the legal system and more. The team would help inform of ways to handle sexual assault cases in the county.

“I’m hoping that if someone is too embarrassed to go to the hospital, if we have a doctor or nurse here on our team they can help us with that rather than have to go to the ER,” she said. “It’s an awareness and prevention team.”

Washam’s position is grant-funded. She has a degree in social work and is a Union County native. She felt called to work for CEASE because she wants to help people.

“I know people who have gone through domestic violence or sexual assault and how they felt afterwards. They felt like they didn’t have anybody,” Washam said. “I wanted to do something about that. I want to help take the pain away as much as I can.

“I really want people to know that we’re here. It’s important. It’s needed. It’s OK. I know a lot of people who have been victims, and we are here for them.”

For information about CEASE, to volunteer for the sexual assault response team, or to schedule a Safe Happens Here session for your workplace or organization, contact Washam at 865-745-3002 or rwashamcease@gmail.com.