Well done to the staff of the Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County and everyone who participated in the Regalia Building and Ribbon Skirt Building program
Today, we say well done to the staff of the Rape Crisis Center of Robeson County and everyone who participated in the Regalia Building and Ribbon Skirt Building program. This weekend, the Rape Crisis Center staff honored and celebrated (47) forty-seven young girls in a ceremony who participated in the RPE or Rape Prevention Education program. Since February, this grant funded project focused on boosting young Native girls and teens skill set in areas such as self-esteem building, knowledge and understanding of consent, knowledge of boundaries, healthy relationships, non-conflict violent resolution strategies and the tools to specifically fight against violence, especially sexual violence.
In exchange, seven participants earned a full regalia and 39 received a ribbon skirt with a self -esteem patch and a “Dream Big” Patch. Each girl also received a crown. Chairman John L. Lowery was the Keynote Speaker for the event. He stressed to the young ladies that they are special, they are worthy and no one can take that away from them. Chairman Lowery also commended the Rape Crisis Staff, the volunteers and the parents who supported all the girls through this unique program. The grant was from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Service. The target of the program is to give young women the tools to fight against violence against Native women. Virginia Locklear, Rape Crisis Center Director and coordinator of the grant funded program, quoted the staggering statistics. The stats show 84% of Native American and Alaska Native women have experienced violence. 56% have experienced sexual violence. These numbers point to a crisis for Native women, which this program is targeting to turn around for these young girls and women.
