NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — A Newport News-based nonprofit is on a mission to restore hope and dignity to survivors of sexual violence.
Fear 2 Freedom supports people who have been impacted by sexual assault, rape, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, child abuse and human trafficking.
"When Fear 2 Freedom was started in 2011, every 2 minutes, somebody in our country was sexually assaulted," said Virginia Woodward, the nonprofit's CEO. "That's why it got in our name thirteen years ago — Fear 2 Freedom. But now, that number is every 68 seconds."
Woodward said she is also a survivor of sexual violence and credits Fear 2 Freedom's founder, Rosemary Trible, with supporting her journey of healing years ago.
"Now, it's full circle for me to invest hope in the lives of other survivors," Woodward said.
The group's COO, Kadetra Cooper, attributes Trible's firsthand experience to her ability to address the unique needs of survivors. Trible shares that at 25 years old, she was raped at gunpoint after hosting a television segment on sexual assault on her talk show, Rosemary's Guestbook.
"It takes someone that is actually experienced — had that lived experience — to be able to understand exactly what someone may need in that moment," Cooper said.
The Fear 2 Freedom team is dedicated to inspiring survivors to overcome trauma and walk the path toward forgiveness.
"You can't control what happened to you, but the only thing that you can really control is how you deal with it after the fact," Cooper said.
The organization aims to support people working to cope and heal.
"When a survivor of sexual violence goes to the emergency room... they have to wear paper scrubs," Woodward said. "We provide kits, called AfterCare Kits, that contain clean clothing and toiletries."
Since 2011, Fear 2 Freedom has distributed more than 33,000 of these kits worldwide.
The kits also contain Fear 2 Freedom's trademark therapy tool — a teddy bear referred to as Freedom Bear. Woodward said the stuffed animal serves a special, restorative purpose.
"The survivor, they can take these slips of paper [in a pouch on Freedom Bear's back] and write their pain, their fear, their anger... tuck them into Freedom Bear's heart, and then, let Freedom Bear carry it for them for a while, Woodward said. "When they're ready to release it, they can take these little papers out, get a glass of water... "stir it up, and it disappears. So, they can let it go, moving from fear to freedom."
Another healing tool is the group's iCare Kit, which is designed for people who do not immediately go to the hospital after experiencing sexual violence and choose to share their story of survival later. These kits also include Freedom Bear, as well as items like a journal and stress ball.
In addition to supporting survivors, Fear 2 Freedom also educates and empowers college students and communities to address and combat all forms of sexual violence.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, almost one in every four women was the victim of sexual assault or misconduct while attending 33 of the nation's major universities. Among American children, one in three girls and one in four boys will be sexually abused before they reach college age.
In an effort to change these statistics, Fear 2 Freedom hosts sexual violence prevention programs on college campuses across Hampton Roads. The events are called Hour 2 Empower.
"What makes our programs different from other ones is that the students pack our kits," Woodward said. "And then, they write a note of comfort that also goes in the kit for the survivor."
Fear 2 Freedom is asking for the community's support to continue supporting survivors, transforming students and working with local partners.
"Trauma comes in many forms," Cooper said. "We're just prepared to try to help anyone that is experiencing it."
You can support Fear 2 Freedom and the survivors of sexual violence it aids by donating.
Sponsoring an AfterCare Kit is $35, an iCare Kit is $20, clothing items for 10 survivors is $100, prevention and outreach through program support is $250 and one virtual Hour 2 Empower program for up to 200 people is $500.
Woodward said that no donation amount is too small, and every dollar makes a difference in the lives of survivors.
"Healing is a journey. It takes time and a lot of courage," Woodward said. "That's what makes what we do important."
For resources and more information, visit Fear 2 Freedom's website. You can also follow the nonprofit on Facebook and Instagram.
Hundreds of other local nonprofits need your support on Give Local 757 Day. The 24-hour giving event is on Tuesday, April 23. Click here for a full list of participating organizations.