Here at A Safe Place, We Start by Believing.
Start by Believing is a public awareness campaign designed to end the cycle of silence and change the way we respond to sexual assault. It was first launched in April 2011 by End Violence Against Women International.
Last month, A Safe Place met with the Nantucket Police Department, Nantucket Fire Department, Nantucket County Sherriff’s Department, and Nantucket High School for the White Ribbon Day Pledge. The White Ribbon Day Campaign holds focus on ending violence against women and all forms of gender-based violence.
A Safe Place Advocates Suzanne Fronzuto and Kathy Butterworth recently finished a series of youth education programs at Nantucket Intermediate School, designed specifically for fifth graders.
A Safe Place has been providing prevention education programs to Nantucket youth for nearly 30 years. Our programs are designed around age-appropriate information and skill building tools for preschool through high school.
If you are interested in more information or to schedule youth education at your school or children’s program, please email us at info@asafeplacenantucket.org.
In 2008, Prevent Child Abuse America® introduced the blue pinwheel as the national symbol for child abuse prevention. The pinwheel represents the happy, safe and nurturing childhood that every child deserves. It also represents the role we all play in providing a loving and supportive environment for the children in our lives and in our communities.
A Safe Place invites you to join us in awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and in support of our children within the community and beyond.
Free pinwheels will be available at A Safe Place starting April 10 (Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm) for those who wish to show support within the community. If you are unable to pick up but would like to participate, please call 508.228.0561.
We encourage you to tag us on social media with your pinwheel displays and or send photos to rachel@asafeplacenantucket.org.
Are you looking for ways to spread awareness or stay involved?
Check out what’s going on in April!
Wednesday, April 5 through Friday, April 7: Safe Home Art Project
Members of the Nantucket Boys & Girls Club will be participating in A Safe Place’s Annual Safe Home Project. Participants will be given a range of art supplies to create a home that’s safe. They will work as a team or individually, while learning about non-violence through building their projects with support from staff.
The Safe Home Art Project is intended to teach healthy relationships and respect for others with the use of artistic models. The project takes place over 3 days, culminating with each member sharing what makes their home safe. Participation prizes will be awarded at the end.
For more information, please reach out to frejae@asafeplacenantucket.org.
Friday, April 7: Wear Blue Day for National Child Abuse Prevention Month
A Safe Place invites you to wear blue on April 7 to raise awareness for child abuse prevention, while showing support for all children in our communities in that each and every child deserves a healthy, safe, and nurturing foundation.
Wednesday, April 12: Rock Painting at Cisco Brewery
A Safe Place, in collaboration with Cisco Brewers, will be hosting an evening of rock painting from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Cisco Brewery. Patrons will create decorative rocks with uplifting messages and inspirational quotes that will be shared with survivors.
Wednesday, April 26: Denim Day
Join millions of people across the world in supporting survivors of sexual assault and educating about sexual violence.
Denim Day is an annual campaign held on a Wednesday in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court in which a rape conviction was overturned after the justices determined that since the victim was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans and thereby implied consent. The following day, the women in the Italian Parliament dressed in jeans in solidarity with the victim.
Join us on April 26 in taking a stand against sexual violence by wearing denim.
We encourage you to tag us on social media wearing denim and or send photos to rachel@asafeplacenantucket.org.
Sunday, April 30: Clothesline Project
Stop by the Nantucket Atheneum garden for A Safe Place’s Clothesline Project display from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
The Clothesline Project is a visual display of shirts created by local survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence (or those who have lost a loved one to violence).
The project brings awareness to the often ignored issues of sexual assault and domestic violence, while giving survivors an opportunity to send a strong message within our community that sexual assault and domestic violence do happen here.
Please join A Safe Place in raising awareness within our community and celebrating the strength of our local survivors.
*Please Note: This event is weather dependent.
The Science of ACEs
(Adverse Childhood Experiences)
“The CDC-Kaiser ACE Study, conducted between 1995-1997, was the first to examine the relationship between early childhood adversity and negative lifelong health effects. The research found that the long-term impact of ACEs determined future health risks, chronic disease, and premature death. Individuals who had experienced multiple ACEs also faced higher risks of depression, addiction, obesity, attempted suicide, mental health disorders, and other health concerns. It also revealed that ACEs were surprisingly common—almost two-thirds of respondents, part of the largely white, well-off sample, reported at least one ACE.
For infants and toddlers who are exposed to persistent stress, these kinds of adverse childhood experiences can cause changes in brain structure, potentially harming their physical, emotional, and educational development far into the future.”
-The Burke Foundation
The Burke Foundation supports children and caregivers to help prevent, protect against, and heal from the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences.
Check out our new A Safe Place video here!
Now playing at the Nantucket Dreamland.
