Columbia Star

1963        Celebrating 60 Years      2023

Sexual Trauma of the Midlands serves survivors




When I was in high school in the early 1980s, no one talked with us about sexual assault and yet, just among friends, many of us experienced it. When I started college in the mid-1980s, sexual harassment and assault were not part of the orientation topics.

We knew where to buy our books and register for classes but had no idea what to do if a professor pushed us toward having sex or a date turned into a nightmare. For the most part, we remained silent, believing that somehow we had been at fault for provoking or enticing the violence.

There were those precious moments when we could open up to a new friend or a trusted advisor to talk about what had happened, but those moments were rare.

Thanks to Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands, conversations and discussions about these important issues are fostered among the youth, businesses, clergy, and professionals served by STSM everyday through the Education and Outreach Program. This work is central to ensuring that we can move toward the prevention of sexual violence as well as address the needs of those who experience it.

STSM also provides direct crisis, clinical, and personal and legal advocacy services to sexual violence survivors. It is innovative in its approaches and has helped thousands of women, men, youth, and children since its founding.

Sexual violence exists and has a profound impact on the lives of survivors and their families. Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands is one of the few spaces in South Carolina that addresses the issues head-on, with honesty, frankness, professionalism, and sensitivity.

Its work enables sexual violence survivors to move forward in their lives and helps us all to think about and act on ways that can lead to a society free from violence. STSM is needed by all of us-survivors as well as friends, families, neighbors, and co-workers of survivors, namely, everyone. This is why I donate each month to this courageous and pioneering organization. Please Donate Now.

Dr. Debbie Billings
Assistant Professor, Arnold School
of Public Health
University of South Carolina
Sexual Trauma of the Midlands
3700 Forest Drive, Suite 350, Columbia, SC 29204
(803) 790-8208
(803) 790-8282
stsm@stsm.org
Hotline: (803) 771-RAPE (Richland/ Lexington)
1-800-491-RAPE (Newberry)



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