Ever since I started taking Women's Studies courses my sophomore year of college I have wanted to work with rape survivors. I was not sure in what way I wanted to help these women and men, but I knew that there was something in my gut pulling me towards this line of work. I was required to do an internship or research project my senior year for my minor and immediately thought of the Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties. Now on my last day of my internship with this amazing agency, I do not think I could have made a better decision to spend my last semester of college. This has been the most rewarding experience of my adult life. The women I work with have been incredible and I could not be more grateful for their support, encouragement, training, and mentoring throughout my time here. Also, the survivors I have helped have been wonderful and make me realize that I want to continue this work as a career. In searching for a full-time job, as I am graduating in a few days, I knew that I needed to find a job that helps and supports women. This agency has taught me that validating, supporting, and listening to women, men, survivors, and co-survivors is the key to helping them, and I will carry that on with me throughout my career. I want to thank everyone at RCC - it's been absolutely fantastic working with you!
Rochelle Vogt 12.8.10 ______________________________________________
Rape Crisis staff recently chatted with long-time volunteer Debbie Labbe about her many years serving our agency. In addition to a wealth of knowledge, Debbie brings much gentle energy and a huge heart to her work as a volunteer. She is a tremendous asset. Debbie's answers to our questions showcase just how special she is and why we are so proud to have her on our team.
When did you first start volunteering? What were your early responsibilities?
I started volunteering at the Battered Women's Shelter in the 1970s. There were only a couple of staff members then, and volunteers did pretty much everything that needed to be done. I worked weekends at the shelter and was usually there alone or maybe with one other volunteer. Early on I worked the hotline, was an in-house counselor, and did pick-ups and intakes. When BWS took over Rape Crisis from the YWCA, I was in the first training group for the hotline and for hospital advocacy. Now I primarily volunteer with Rape Crisis, although I miss being at the shelter.
What changes have you seen in the agency over the course of your volunteer years?
When I first started with BWS, it was pretty much a grassroots effort, very informal, with everyone pitching in whatever way they could. Now the staff and volunteers at BWS and RC are better trained and more disciplined, and there's definitely a lot better funding. Fortunately, the same high level of commitment and compassion that I saw at the beginning seems to still be there today.
Have there been any changes you have seen in the nature of assaults and survivors over the years?
It seems to me that both the assaults and survivors really haven't changed much. The assaults always were really bad and remain so. The survivors impressed me 30 years ago, and they still do today. Date rape drugs are probably the scariest thing to come along more recently. Probably the most positive change is that survivors of both sexual assault and domestic violence are treated with more respect by law enforcement and people in general. There's less stigma attached.
What have been the rewards?
The rewards are too many to list, but working with the survivors has really been uplifting. I'm continually amazed by their courage and resilience, and especially by how they maintain their own kindness and sense of humanity in the face of the inhumanity they've been shown. I always feel so good if I make things a little easier for them.
How do you keep yourself going, given the aftermath of all the violence you have seen?
After being with BWS and now RC for so long I pretty much focus on doing what I can do to help and try not to get too emotional, but there are certain cases that do touch something in me and are hard to let go of.
What are the biggest challenges?
At first, especially on the BWS hotline, it was hard to give support but not offer advice. I wanted to say, "You just really need to get out of there!" but that got easier as time went on. Probably the biggest challenge now is knowing that while we can do a lot to help survivors, there's so much damage that they have to work through on their own that we can't fix.
What advice would you give to new volunteers?
Don't worry so much about doing things perfectly; just reach out to another human being in trouble. Don't be judgmental: let them know that you believe them, that you support them, and then do whatever you can to help them in big and small ways.
You do both hotline and hospital calls. What skills do you have to draw on for each?
Both require a lot of listening and following cues given by the survivor. With both, you have to remain calm and offer unconditional support. Probably the hotline callers are more interested in seeking specific information and addressing more definite needs, and I'm more likely to make specific referrals with them. With the hospital calls, I do whatever I can to offer support, help them get through the interview and exam, and steer them toward whatever services the RCC might be able to provide them.
What do you like to do in your free time besides volunteering?
I like to spend time with my husband, mother, and friends. I like to read. I really like theater and pretty much any form of live entertainment. I like to travel, especially to cities and places with good food!
Anything else we should know to get a real sense of who you are?
I would like you to know that I feel that volunteering with BWS and RCC has made me a better person. When I started, I was in my early 20s, and while I definitely wanted to help, I didn't really identify with the survivors or feel that we had much in common. But the more I got to know the survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, the more I felt connected to them. I saw that they were a lot like me in many ways, and that there was a lot I could learn from them and so much about them that I admire. I don't think I have come away from one hospital call where I haven't been impressed by the strength of the survivor. Now, when I come away from a call, I feel like it's more of a two-way street: not me reaching down to help someone, but two people reaching out to each other. I'm really glad to be able to be a part of this.
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