A non-profit for victims of sexual violence in Atherton has launched a donation drive

A Far North sexual assault survivor who was abused by her father has called for donations of hygiene and personal care products to help victims “live with dignity”.

A Far North sexual assault survivor who was abused by her father has called for donations of hygiene and personal care products to help victims “live with dignity”.

The woman is part of the Women’s Survivors group within the Tablelands Sexual Assault Service (TSAS), which is in desperate need of donations.

The non-profit organisation provides free counselling and support services to victims harmed by sexual violence and sexual abuse in the Tablelands, Mareeba, Etheridge and Croydon.

Before finding the service, the 49-year-old says she went as far as Brisbane for help.

“There were organisations of support if there were charges laid, organisations could support in the event that the perpetrator was found guilty, but nobody that could support me in the process of coming to the decision of making a complaint,” she said.

Photo: Artwork supplied by TSAS

The woman said TSAS was the only organisation that gave her courage and support to write a statement and a support worker was also by her side when delivering it to police, which was an ordeal to relive.

“Once I had written a statement, the police wanted details so I had to go through the details not just remembering every single physical thing I went through, but also recalling how I felt at every one of those times,” she said.

“It was quite harrowing. That is when I needed not just a counsellor, once a week or a fortnight – I needed to be held.”

Tablelands Sexual Assault Services provide anonymity and space to interpret the survivor’s world through art therapy, which is empowering in the telling of one’s survival story. Picture: Stock

The woman said she hoped to be a role model so that other survivors were able to meet kindred spirits “before their mid 40s”.

“Although we know that there’s a very slim chance of our perpetrators ever being held accountable and caught because of so many hurdles and loopholes, it just helps knowing there are other women doing it anyway.”

She said donation drives such as TSAS’s Powder Room Project collect hair, face, nail, and body care products for women of all ages for more than charitable or practical reasons.

“It’s about giving us back our dignity,” the woman said.

“We can do a pedicure and take a moment of normalcy from things not related to the day-to-day struggle of managing our physical and emotional selves due to the trauma we experience.”

Carey Shaw, sexual assault counsellor at TSAS, said donating sent a strong message of hope to survivors.

“TSAS currently relies on donations for hygiene products, and this is unreliable and unsustainable; and quite frankly, our cupboards are bare,” Ms Shaw said.

Contributions can be made by calling 4091 4036.

Originally published as A non-profit for victims of sexual violence in Atherton has launched a donation drive