Genevieve Waller executive director Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands It was late 2004 when Genevieve Waller discovered a classified ad that would change her life. "I was looking for a volunteer position that was completely unrelated to law," she said. "I saw this ad

posted in the Free Times

and called."

As a young attorney, Waller had distinguished herself as a volunteer in the legal community but wanted to escape the environment for awhile. The opportunity to be a volunteer advocate for Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM) proved to be the catalyst for a major shift in Waller's personal and professional life. "A little light bulb went on and said 'its time to see if you can come to terms with this,'" she said.

During her training, Waller revealed that she, like the thousands of men and women the organization serves, was a survivor of sexual assault. That was the first time she ever told a stranger.

"One result of my assault was that I felt like 'I got over it and you should too,'" the 31- year- old admitted. "I didn't have a forgiving heart when it came to other survivors. But (the training) helped me accept that it was real. I knew then that I'd be able to do it."

The Louisiana native and USC Law graduate was certified and worked as a volunteer advocate until January 2008 when she decided to leave the legal field and a few months later began working fulltime as director of development for STSM. When the executive director resigned in October, Waller was given the position following a nationwide search.

"I left law because I just didn't like working for something I didn't feel passionate about," she said. "When I made my list of likes and dislikes for law, the dislikes side was much longer."

Now, this is Waller's first time at the helm for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) sponsored by STSM. Since 2001, April has served as the month to raise awareness concerning sexual violence and the affect it has in the community.

As part of the effort, STSM will unveil of the Clothesline Project at Palmetto Richland Hospital. The Clothesline Project allows those affected by sexual assault to express their feelings by decorating a shirt and then having it displayed. Also, on the calendar is a screening of the film Speak in Finlay Park on April 16 and a Kid's Day in Lexington on April 25.

Even during her short time as head of STSM, Waller understands the struggle that her organization faces in gaining acceptance and funding for the cause.

"It's difficult to find sponsors who want their names associated with this subject," she said. "It's not like breast cancer or autism. It's uncomfortable and still seen as something dirty, which is very difficult for survivors."

The problem of sexual assault is pervasive. According to STSM, every four hours and 46 minutes someone is raped in the state. Formed in 1977 as the People Against Sexual Assault, STSM has expanded over the past 26 years to be a full- service agency providing hospital accompaniment, crisis counseling, community education, follow- up services, and a 24- hour crisis intervention hotline available to Richland, Lexington, and Newberry counties. Last year STSM served approximately 1,400 survivors in those three counties.

The organization currently has 44 active volunteers who man the hotline, make hospital visits, and help with other projects. It is an eclectic group.

"They are across the board," Waller said. "They are mostly female, but they are all ages. Some have children, some don't. They are all different professions. But they are all doing something great for the community."

SAAM events this week

• Monday: The Clothesline Project will go on display at Palmetto Richland Hospital • Wednesday - A representative from STSM will be at Palmetto Richland from 11 am- 3 pm. • Thursday - STSM will host a screening of the movie Speak at 8 pm in Finlay Park

Visit www.stsm.org or call 790-8208. For 24- hour crisis assistance call 803-771- RAPE (7273) or 1-800-491- RAPE.

Editor's note: During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, articles will be published in The Columbia Star to bring awareness to readers of the statistics of rape, help that is available, the process victims go through to provide evidence for the police department, the value of education provided by STSM, and the healing process STSM provides. Send questions or your own stories to mimim@sc.rr.com.