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On April 1, Savannah City Hall was illuminated in teal as a tribute to the resilience of sexual assault survivors and to acknowledge the vital work of organizations supporting their recovery journey.
Mary’s Place Sexual Assault Center, previously known as the Rape Crisis Center, plays a crucial role in this mission by providing comprehensive support for individuals who have endured sexual abuse. The center offers an array of services, including forensic medical examinations and counseling, to aid survivors in their healing process.
“We’re here for all the survivors,” stated Doris Williams, the Executive Director of Mary’s Place. “Regardless of where you are in your healing journey or when the crime took place, our doors are always open.”
In addition to its support services, Mary’s Place actively engages with the community by offering educational courses to high school and college students. These courses focus on essential topics such as cyberbullying and fostering healthy relationships.
Williams emphasizes the strength and resilience of those who seek help at Mary’s Place, referring to them not as victims, but as survivors, deserving of respect and support as they navigate their paths to recovery.
“We want them to reflect on the journey that they survived that event,” Williams said. “No matter what they did. If they fought that whatever they did to get to here before us and needing that service, we want them to know that they survived it. They’re beyond a victim. They’re a survivor.”
The center is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Over the years, Williams said she has noticed a change to the narrative surrounding the topic of sexual abuse.
“In the beginning, everybody didn’t welcome us to the table,” Williams said. “In the beginning, some doors were slammed, but it was her resilience. To see the change, to see how survivors are embraced, so it was very taboo to have these conversations.”
The center officially changed their name to Mary’s Place in 2022, and opened the doors for some who might have never come forward, Williams said.
“We got an increase in our male survivors, and they tend to come to the door and knock on the door versus call,” Williams. “They call, but we saw an increase of them coming to our doors.”
April is sexual assault awareness month and shines a light on the work organizations like Mary’s Place does every day.
“When you don’t have days or months that you honor something, its way to just living life,” Williams said.” “We know that this is a time that we try to make sure we’re seen even more in the community.”
Mary’s Place has a list of events planned for Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
On April 7, they will hold a Solidarity Walk to honor survivors at 6pm at Forsyth Park in Savannah. For a full list of events, click here.