PEG LANGHAMMER, executive director of Day One, speaks on the organization’s iMentor program and its efforts to reduce sexual abuse and violence in Rhode Island. Day One has been named a 2017 Champion in Action in the category of violence prevention by Citizens Bank and WJAR-TV NBC 10.
With $35,000 in unrestricted funding awarded by Citizens Bank and WJAR-TV NBC 10, Day One will kick off its iMentor program. What is iMentor? The iMentor program will allow us to work with boys ages 11-15 to promote and sustain positive interactions with their peers in order to change social norms within their communities and create safer environments for all. Our goal is to increase understanding of the root causes of sexual violence and to prevent it. As part of the program, participants will discuss boundaries, and how disrespect and stereotyping can lead to abusive situations.
What steps does Day One take to reduce the prevalence of sexual abuse? Prevention education is the key to ending sexual assault. For [more than] 30 years, Day One has delivered cutting-edge prevention education programs to K-12 students, adults and professionals, focusing on sexual-violence prevention, crisis intervention and effective responding.
For the past three years, Day One has been working with a Brown University research team and national consultant specializing in engaging men on prevention efforts and using the social norms approach to prevention. Through the years, Day One has created opportunities for adolescents and teens to discuss prevention issues with their peers, with the potential to help move the field forward in evidence-based sexual-violence prevention education.
How does Day One support and advocate for victims? What can we do as individuals or as a state to help sexual-assault survivors? Day One provides clinical treatment, intervention and advocacy to Rhode Islanders of all ages. We work closely with law enforcement, prosecutors, the medical community and universities so victims receive the support and information they need throughout the process. We also advocate for public-policy initiatives and systemic changes that positively effect how Rhode Island handles sexual-abuse cases.
One important area we have focused on is the commercial sexual exploitation of children. In 2014, we convened and led the state’s CSEC Task Force, along with key partners to work together in building R.I.’s response to victims of CSEC, and in 2015, released statewide protocols for investigation, prosecution and victim advocacy.
As individuals, we can all do something to help sexual-assault survivors. … The more we talk about it, the more people feel accepted and willing to report cases.
Why is sexual assault a community concern, not a personal one? Sexual assault is a community concern because it is something that affects everyone, everywhere. From sexual violence on college campuses to the commercial sexual exploitation of children, Day One addresses the issues that are affecting Rhode Islanders and leading the effort to provide real solutions for both victims and those at risk.
This past year, Day One provided services to over 10,000 Rhode Islanders. Our clients are women, men and children of all ages and demographics. The numbers are staggering! One in four girls and one in six boys will be assaulted before [they are] 18 years old! We all need to work together as a community to reduce the prevalence.
