FVPSA Grantee Leads Survivors to Self-Sufficiency with Project Safe

Southern Indian Health Council (SIHC), an FVPSA grantee, is innovatively using  American Rescue Plan Grants to Support Sexual Assault Survivors for a program called Project Safe. This multidimensional support effort aims to provide, promote, and coordinate services for survivors experiencing domestic violence (DV), intimate partner violence (IPV), dating violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), stalking, and human trafficking. 

According to a 2021 Center for Disease Control (CDC) National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, Native Americans are twice as likely to experience sexual violence than any other race, which is most likely an undercount due to the prevalence of missing and murdered indigenous women. Caleb Martinez, the Project Safe Coordinator, sees these numbers and his life-long tie to the Alpine and Kumeyaay communities as driving forces for change.    

"I witnessed violence at a young age, grew up on the reservation, and was directly impacted by domestic violence," said Martinez. "I received services here as a child at Southern Indian Health Council. So, domestic violence has always been an issue that is near and dear to my heart as being someone who's been directly impacted by that and this community as well."  

These Southern California-based advocates are tapping into FVPSA ARP grants to lead survivors of sexual assault away from the dependency on abusive relationships, and safety net systems to a path focused on goal setting and, ultimately, independence.  

"We want to lean in on setting goals because we recognize the importance of survivors having their own agency, making decisions for themselves, especially coming from a setting where they felt so powerless," said Kassandra Mason, Director of Behavioral Health for SIHC. "Whether they need clothes, necessities like food or therapy to break that will of power and control that a lot of abusers hold over survivors. we try to get them to a point of self-sufficiency, where they can be empowered and regain that control."  

As a commitment to trauma-informed survivor centered services, SIHC also offers victims of sexual assault the opportunity to become economically self-sufficient and more marketable. The team is using these historic funds to cover General Education Diploma (GED), trade school, certificate program fees, and other career development services to all survivors of sexual assault who aim to improve their employability.    

"We recently had someone come into Project Safe who needed the basics, food, shelter, and communication. We provided those items along with legal support," said Martinez. "Two weeks later, they're back in school, getting employment, and they shifted from surviving to thriving." 

One of the biggest hurdles in moving from escaping a dangerous situation to surviving and on to thriving is the idea that survivors are dependent on their abusers financially and emotionally.   

"This is why FVPSA American Rescue Plan funds are so instrumental for SIHC and Project Safe," said Mason. "Survivors might feel like they won't make it on their own. These grants allow us to provide shelter, food, clothing, and communication, which in turn provides a feeling of support and empowerment when they need it most."  

For details about the Southern Indian Health Council and Project Safe, visit their website, www.sihc.org  Visit disclaimer page.