Sherry Lewis, director of Therapy and Outreach Services for STSM During her four years as a clinical counselor at the Behavioral Health Center of the Midlands, Sherry Lewis began to recognize a trend among her patients.

"Over the years I've noticed working with clients that a lot of them with addiction issues also had a background of sexual abuse, which was a factor in the substance abuse," Lewis said. "I wanted to combine those skills and treat those clients from a different aspect."

Since November 2008, the 32- year- old licensed professional counselor has used her experience in substance abuse treatment to help the thousands of survivors who come to the Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands. As director of Therapy and Outreach Services, Lewis coordinates the many types of counseling STSM offers. The first layer of assistance is immediate response for the survivor following the attack. Later individual and group counseling is offered to the survivor and friends and family.

"In the first three sessions with the counselor we talk to them about what they are experiencing," she said. "We get through the initial stage and teach grounding techniques, how to deal with flashbacks and how to reestablish a sense of safety."

The affects of sexual assault are as wide- ranging as those it touches. According to Lewis, it is not uncommon for a survivor to experience depression and mood swings that can do damage to their family and home lives. Feelings of low self- esteem as well as a feeling of being damaged because of the assault are common. Survivors will often blame themselves and feel powerless like everything is spinning out of control.

"I'd probably say what we see a lot is a cycle," she said. "Most of the time our survivors are going to be in shock and disbelief that it has happened. Then they will go through periods where they re- experience what happened. Often there is a numbing period or it's difficult to feel or talk about."

STSM counseling services are offered to survivors for six months free of charge. If more therapy is needed, the survivor is referred to another agency. Family, friends, and coworkers are also invited to attend counseling. Often the trauma experienced by a survivor leeches into every aspect of her life. For some family members, it is especially difficult.

"When dealing with the parents of a survivor generally the feeling is 'I should have known or I should have been able to recognize it or protect them,'" Lewis said. "In terms of partners of the survivor it's feeling angry and self blaming. Sometimes it's the opposite emotion, and we have partners who become upset and angry with the survivor. We get a lot of mixed emotions in dealing with families."

In addition to free counseling, STSM volunteers and staff also go into the community to speak and raise more awareness about the subject.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month Events This Week

Denim Day will be held Wednesday with an open house at STSM from 5- 7 pm