ChrisArmytage

by Lynell Crowther, Director and founder member of United We Stand

United We Stand is an up-coming non-profit organisation run by survivors of sexual assault that aims to empower and support victims and survivors of sexual assault through the 3A’s: awareness, advocacy, and activism.

United We Stand was established on Facebook in September 2009 and has taken off quicker than expected. Although we are currently seeking people for positions of board, United We Stand is founded and directed by Jackie Hay, co-founded by Lynell Crowther and Maree Laukka, and in partnership with Maria Subia and Deana Phelps from Nikao Ministries in the USA, and Sheva Burton and Kathleen Clegg from Cross of Change in the UK. We are also working alongside working with Kristy Elwood in NZ (and various other representatives from South Africa, Europe, etc.,) to set up a group to make sexual assault something that is recognised globally. The name “United We Stand” describes this partnership perfectly – uniting globally with other organisations and community groups who are interested in being a part of the change, although we operate as a single entity as well.

United We Stand focuses on
all aspects of sexual assault and accepts members who are female, male, young and old. For too long we have waited for “text-book professionals” to keep their end of the bargain and fight for a change, but where has that got us?? There’s an old saying: if you want something done properly, you’re better off doing it yourself! For too long, victims and survivors of sexual assault have been silenced by the shame and secrecy of what has happened to them. What far too many people don’t realise is that by not talking about what happened and raising public awareness over such matters, is only keeping someone else’s secret while its poison eats away at your mind, emotions, relationships, and life, in general. And it is because of this that we are in the condition that we are today – shunned from society, judged by our family and friends, let down by our governments and justice systems.

As the founder and director of United We Stand, I am passionate about raising public awareness and promoting the rights of victims and survivors of sexual assault. As a survivor of 16 ½ years of sexual assault, I have made the decision that although it’s not my fault what happened to me, it is my responsibility to do something about it! United We Stand came into birth after I had approached several community groups and organisations to offer assistance and bring experience, but was turned away at every opportunity because I was “too young” or “too close to the issue.” There is an assumption in society that people, who have been sexually assaulted, at any stage of
their lives, are ‘damaged’ and not capable of living a normal life. I have been told by far too many people that I can’t do this or I can’t do that, and now I’m here to show everyone I can!! I am willing to face persecution, imprisonment and even death if it means that I can lead us into a battle that is going to change the lives of victims and survivors of sexual assault not just here in Australia, but globally. I have already lost my childhood, my sense of trust in our government and justice system – as a survivor of sexual assault you’ve already had everything that means anything to you stolen the moment our perpetrators made the decision to use power and control to rape and sexually assault not only our bodies, but our minds. My theory is that I have nothing to lose, but we have the world to gain!!

United We Stand is currently awaiting confirmation of ABN before we can classify ourselves as a registered organisation, however, we can be expected to be up and running as early as November 2009. This has been an amazing journey to set up – talking to so many victims and survivors of sexual assault and allowing them to have their voices heard and taken into account with the structuring of United We Stand. If you have any questions or want more information regarding the organisation or positions of board, please contact Jackie Hay on 0406 669 681.

Finally, I’d like to put out a BIG thankyou to Chris Armytage. We approached Chris, asking of she would help with the design of the logo for United We Stand (because lets face it, we suck at drawing, lol) and we described to her what we wanted the logo to represent and our ideas, and our logo is the indescribable interpretation of all that! Copyrite belongs to Chris and United We Stand and may not be re-printed without
written permission from Chris or the Director of United We Stand.