By Sandy Connors | Photo courtesy of Dr. Victoria Rollins

April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), a time dedicated to confronting a painful reality that often remains hidden in plain sight. Sexual violence is one of the most underreported crimes in the United States, and while advocacy has grown, survivors’ voices often remain unheard, especially within institutions that are meant to offer protection and support. As we reflect on the importance of awareness, we are honored to have the opportunity to speak with Reverend Dr. Victoria Rollins, a survivor of sexual assault, a passionate advocate for justice, and a respected faith leader. Dr. Rollins has dedicated her life to helping others heal, and her story of pain, courage, and unshakable hope offers invaluable insight into the journey of recovery and the role faith plays in that process.

The Silence Surrounding Sexual Assault in Faith Communities

One of the most powerful insights Reverend Dr. Victoria Rollins shares is how her personal journey as a survivor has shaped her understanding of the silence that surrounds sexual assault, particularly within church and community institutions. Dr. Rollins emphasizes that faith can serve as a powerful lifeline in the healing process.

“My faith is what kept me alive,” she shares. For survivors, faith can become both a source of strength and a battleground where healing is hindered by systemic silence. Many survivors of sexual assault face an additional layer of complexity when the violence is perpetrated by someone they know and trust—sometimes even within their faith communities.

Why Do Faith-Based and Secular Institutions Struggle to Respond?

Dr. Rollins believes that the struggle within both secular and faith-based institutions to respond adequately to sexual assault stems from deep-rooted societal structures, particularly patriarchy. Sexual assault is fundamentally about power and control, and in a patriarchal society, survivors—especially women—are often seen as objects rather than individuals whose experiences matter.

“When sexual assault occurs, it’s not about sex; it’s about power and control,” Dr. Rollins explains. The church, like many other institutions, often falls short in offering support. Rather than standing with survivors, some faith communities respond by silencing them or engaging in victim-blaming. This systemic failure makes it even harder for victims to speak their truth and seek justice.

The Challenges of Healing in Close-Knit Communities

The difficulty of confronting sexual assault is compounded when the perpetrator is someone within a survivor’s inner circle—whether that person is a family member, a trusted friend, or a member of their faith community. In these close-knit environments, survivors may face additional challenges in speaking out, as the relationships they depend on are intertwined with their trauma.

“It’s very hard to hear the experience of sexual assault,” Dr. Rollins says. “It is even harder to speak them in truth and to try to survive and find safe places.” She highlights the need for compassionate responses from those in close-knit environments, particularly faith communities, which must learn to listen, believe, and support survivors without judgment.

Survivor’s Voice: The Power of Listening

One of the most profound points Dr. Rollins makes is the importance of listening. For survivors, especially those who have carried their trauma for years, being heard can be a life-changing experience. Dr. Rollins recounts a touching story of an 83-year-old woman who, after attending a program on sexual assault, shared that she had never told anyone about her abuse—until now. Listening to survivors is not just about offering solutions; it’s about giving them the space to share their truth on their terms.

“Where is the hope for you today?” Dr. Rollins often asks the people she counsels. Sometimes, survivors can’t answer that question immediately, but they can find solace in knowing that there are people—faith leaders, counselors, friends—who are willing to stand by them and help them navigate the path to healing.

Listen Now: A Conversation with Reverend Dr. Victoria Rollins: Confronting Silence and Supporting Survivors

Transforming Communities: From Awareness to Action

As we reflect on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Dr. Rollins calls on all of us to move beyond awareness and into action. For faith communities and secular institutions alike, this means creating spaces where survivors are believed, supported, and empowered. This begins by addressing the silence and shame that often surrounds sexual assault, and transforming the culture of denial into one of compassionate action.

Dr. Rollins shares a simple yet profound framework she uses when working with survivors and those supporting them: COVER THE BASES.

• B – Believe them. The first step in any survivor’s journey is knowing that someone believes their story.
• A – Ask, don’t assume. Take the time to understand the survivor’s needs and desires before offering advice or solutions.
• S – Support them. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to be there, not as a fixer, but as a listener and a companion on their journey.
• E – Empower the survivor. Give them the agency to decide how they want to proceed with their healing. Respect their decisions. Survivors often face difficult choices, and their autonomy must be honored.
• S – Step aside when necessary. Like the Good Samaritan, sometimes the most loving thing you can do is help a survivor find the resources they need, and then step aside to let the professionals take over.

Webinar on Sexual Violence: Cradle to Grave

In her commitment to raising awareness and providing support, Dr. Rollins is hosting a webinar on April 24, addressing the theme of Cradle to Grave—how sexual violence affects people across every stage of life. This webinar will explore the long-term impacts of sexual violence on survivors, from childhood through old age, and offer practical tools and resources for individuals and communities committed to making a difference.

The webinar is part of a broader initiative by the Episcopal Diocese of New York and other dioceses to create spaces where faith leaders and laypeople alike can learn how to support survivors effectively. Training clergy and laity to respond with compassion and understanding is a critical part of the solution to the silence that surrounds sexual violence in faith communities.

Moving Forward: What Can We Do?

As Dr. Rollins so powerfully reminds us, we all have a role to play in breaking the silence and supporting survivors. Whether you are a member of a faith community or a secular organization, it’s essential to create environments where survivors can find safety, healing, and justice. Some simple steps to take include:

• Start by listening: Let survivors know that their voices matter.
• Believe them: Don’t question their experiences—affirm their reality.
• Educate yourself: Participate in training and webinars on supporting survivors and addressing sexual violence.
• Stand with survivors: Make a commitment to be part of a supportive and compassionate community.

Conclusion

As we observe Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we are reminded of the critical importance of breaking the silence around sexual violence and standing in solidarity with survivors. Reverend Dr. Victoria Rollins exemplifies the power of faith, compassion, and truth-telling in the journey toward healing. By listening, supporting, and advocating for survivors, we can help create a world where no one has to suffer in silence.

If you or someone you love is a survivor, know that you are not alone. Your voice matters, and there is hope for healing.

Click here to register for the webinar, Sexual Assault: Cradle to Grave: A Call to Healing Justice Across Generations, Faiths and Genders.

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