Sexually assaulted as a child; survivor shares story to help non-profit

Posted: Sep 6, 2010 1:07 PM by Monica Quintero
Updated: Sep 6, 2010 8:48 PM

SARP starts annual fundraising campaign to continue services

The economy is taking a toll on many non-profits here on the Central Coast. Despite these difficult times, the Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention (SARP) Center in San Luis Obispo County has set an ambitious goal for its 4th annual Fundraising Campaign. It's looking to raise $15,000.

Ron Moore, a survivor, shared with us some of his painful memories of being sexually assaulted as a child. Moore said, "It was physical abuse, sexual abuse and I was raped." It started at the age of two. "The abuse came from aunts, uncles, cousins, from boyfriends of my mother and my mother," said Moore.

But Moore suppressed those memories for years and memories of serving in the Vietnam War. Later, the Atascadero man was diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder. Moore said, "I had it from both sexual assault as a child and from combat in Vietnam." He goes on to say, "Because of organizations like the SARP Center, there's help and that's something that wasn't there for me."

The SARP Center is the only rape crisis center in San Luis Obispo County. It provides critical services for survivors as well as their loved ones. But that takes funding. In this tight economy, the non-profit is hoping the community will give. Jess Hawley, Education Services Coordinator, said, "There were a few rape crisis centers in California that had to close last year which is unfortunate, because when that area closes it has to be absorbed elsewhere."

Moore said, "There's hope and there's help. The sooner you get help, the sooner the healing begins Healing has come in the form of giving back for Moore. He volunteers his time and serves as a board member for SARP. A man with a difficult past but he's a survivor. The SARP Center says nationally one in six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime and one in 33 men. In San Luis Obispo County, it's estimated there are more than 20,000 women who are survivors. Click here for information on how to donate.