Youth

Mental Illness + Abuse

We believe in building a community where you can feel safe, seen, and heard. One of the many ways that we can combat future violence is to develop healthy social norms through understanding and acceptance.

Over 57 million individuals (ages 18+) experience mental illness in the United States, most commonly depression, anxiety, an eating disorder, substance abuse, or an attention deficit disorder. These conditions affect your thinking, feelings, or moods, and there is no one leading cause.

Contributing factors to mental illness experiences are vast, including genetic factors, drug and alcohol abuse, biological factors such as hormonal changes, personality factors such as low self-esteem, and even experiencing trauma like sexual or domestic violence.

Struggling with Social Stigma

An estimated 48% of both women and men experience at least one psychologically aggressive behavior by an intimate partner, and those impacted by sexual violence are prone to an increase in depressive or suicidal thoughts.

Sexual and domestic violence occur when an individual exerts power and control over another, often utilizing manipulative, coercive, or forceful actions. In domestic violence specifically, these acts can take the form of psychological abuse, appearing as humiliation, stalking, or even leading an individual to believe they are crazy.

The trauma of abuse further compounds through negative social norms that can make it taboo to speak about abuse. These additional stresses only work to isolate an individual and can impact their mental health as they choose to not disclose their abuse, to stay in an abusive relationship, or feel that others think poorly of them.

Negative social norms further compound the trauma of abuse, often making it taboo to disclose or speak up. These additional stresses only further isolate an individual, impacting their mental health as they choose to not disclose their abuse, to stay in an abusive relationship, or feel that others will view them as a failure or question how they could let such things happen.

Realities Are Simple

Yes, every instance of abuse and mental illness is unique.

No, it is not complex to understand the realities of abuse and mental illness.

94% of women experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the two weeks after experiencing rape.
7 out of 10 women display PTSD symptoms and/or depression after psychological abuse
37% of men/women experience problems with friends/family after sexual violence, including increased arguments, a lack of trust, or feeling disconnected
67% of men/women experience professional or emotional issues after sexual violence by a stranger

YOU are Change

Our community deserves a future where all individuals feel safe, seen, and heard. You can make positive impacts today.

Speak Up. Utilize your voice and help others learn how they can join in empowering those impacted by abuse.
Enroll. Join Albion’s special Umbrella Advocacy group with auto-renewing contributions of as little as $10 per month. All advocates are enrolled in quarterly updates that keep you up-to-date on the impact you are making!
Volunteer. Volunteers join Albion’s staff in supporting others! Learn about opportunities today.

Cyberbullying, Celebrities, & the Cycle of Abuse

The content and conversations that we share across social media shape the experiences and influence that we influence. Facebook and Twitter prove monumental in connecting the world in real-time, allowing anyone with a smartphone to break the news and social movements to grow with the use of a #hashtag. It can also be rife with cyberbullying.

According to the CDC, young people who bully are at a higher risk for substance abuse, academic problems, and violence-related problems later into adolescence and adulthood. The connection between such actions and domestic violence only deepen when we recognize that they may indicate that a child is witnessing or has experienced domestic violence at home.

Cyberbullying, the act of bullying through digital means, most recently touched our community when a woman shared messages between an adolescent with special needs & 11 other students. They called him names, they threatened violence, and they demanded that he send inappropriate photographs.

Bullying is often a very public experience, adding to an individuals insecurities and humiliation. As we have found in recent news, nobody is immune to it.

Celebrities & Cyberbullying

Selena Gomez

Rise to Fame: Disney Star, Wizards of Waverly Place

Standout Quote: “Imagine all the insecurities that you already feel about yourself and having someone write a paragraph pointing out every little thing, even if it’s just physical.”

It isn’t that Gomez experiences a special type of cyberbullying, but being one of the most followed individuals on Instagram (well over 155 million+) comes with a wave of negativity. Gomez actively speaks out against cyberbullying and utilizes her experiences to emphasize the dangers and selfishness that can lurk online.

Ed Sheeran

Rise to Fame: Musician

Standout Quote: “I go on it and there’s nothing but people saying mean things. One comment ruins your day. But that’s why I’ve come off it.”

Sheeran, traditionally known for his singing and songwriting, saw a rise in bullying and backlash after his cameo in Game of Thrones. While his account still exists, his bio states that the account is no longer utilized & the star only shares automatic pushes from his Instagram account.

Leslie Jones

Rise to Fame: Saturday Night Live & Ghostbusters

Standout Quote: “I feel like I’m in a personal hell. I didn’t do anything to deserve this. It’s just too much,” she shared. “I leave Twitter tonight with tears and a very sad heart.

The extent of Jones’ experience is so vast, timelines have been created outlining the prolonged bullying she endured. The SNL comedian turned Ghostbusters star was inundated with racist, sexist, and hateful comments. She has long endured experiences of cyberbullying, including a time when her website was hacked and littered with what appeared to be nude photographs of her, an image of her passport, and a picture of Harambe the Gorilla. In the aftermath of Ghostbusters (successful) opening night, the bullying of Jones intensified until Jones could take no more and announced her departure from the site.

Demi Lovato

Rise to Fame: Disney Star, Camp Rock

Standout Quote: “Sitting behind a computer gives people a sense of anonymity, but everyone needs to realize that words- even the ones they write online- have a strong power to hurt people.”

The rise to childhood stardom shined a bright light on many of Lovato’s personal struggles, including bipolar disorder, bulimia, and cutting. Lovato has not allowed these experiences to diminish her voice and has become active in standing against bullying and making clear the effects it can carry. In 2018, Lovato disappeared for 12 days after overdosing at her Hollywood Hills home and checking herself into rehab. She later exercised transparency and addressed her fans, letting them know that she continues to struggle with sobriety and is looking forward to the day where she can say she came out on the other side.

Millie Bobby Brown

Rise to Fame: Stranger Things

Standout Quote: “I have dealt with situations both in real life and online that are soul-breaking and it genuinely hurts reading some of the things people have said.”

At 15 years old, Brown is beloved by the fans of Stranger Things for her portrayal of Eleven. She also demonstrates the definition of resilience, standing against bullying after having experienced it personally. In 2018, Brown announced her departure from Twitter, citing the circulation of memes depicting her as a violent homophobe. Brown’s secondary account, @milliestopshate, is still active but not frequently updated.

At the age of 14, Brown received the honor of becoming UNICEF’s youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador.

Upstanders Not Bystanders

Bystanders are individuals who witness a form of bullying in action and do nothing. They may walk away and claim it isn’t their business or not know what to do, stand and watch, or even videotape and make the bullying go viral. As a bystander, you may support an individual in private or reach out in friendship, but these actions are hidden and allow a bully to perceive what they are doing as acceptable.

Upstanders are individuals who actively stand against bullying. To be an upstander takes courage, action, assertiveness, compassion, and leadership. Albion’s Primary Prevention program is dedicated to creating upstanders in our community with education within our schools and community.

Take a stand and become an upstander today:

Take action by telling the bully to stop.
Take action by getting others to stand up against the bully.
Take action to help the individual being bullied.
Take action by shifting the focus and redirecting the bully away from the individual.
Take action by telling an adult who can help.

Albion is a non-profit sexual and domestic violence advocacy group serving 11 counties in Southern Indiana. Pledge your support today and help us end the generational cycle of abuse.

LGBTQ Youth, Teen Dating Violence, & Sexual Violence

LGBTQ youth face significant challenges in adolescence and typically must fight discrimination, misconceptions, and abuse from peers, family, and others.

Lack of LGBTQ support within communities may increase an individuals risk for sex trafficking. Those who lack strong support may face financial strains, experience violence, or are marginalized by society. Up to 40% of homeless youth identify LGBTQ and 46% ran away from home because of family rejection.
LGBTQ youth who are homeless are at an increased risk to experience sexual violence. When compared to heterosexual peers, these youth are 7.4x more likely to experience acts of sexual violence and 3 – 7x more likely to engage in survival sex to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and toiletries.
Transgender youth are most vulnerable to dating violence. Studies show 89% of individuals report physical violence, 61% report sexual coercion, and 59% report emotional abuse.
LGBTQ youth experience disproportional rates of dating violence.

Experienced Abuse	LGBTQ Youth	Heterosexual Youth
Physical Abuse	42%	29%
Emotional Abuse	59%	46%
Digital Harassment/Abuse	37%	26%

Homophobia, transphobia, and heterosexism all contribute to negative experiences unique to LGBTQ relationships. Abusers may threaten to out an individual to family or friends, degrade their sexual orientation or gender identity (ie: stating an individual is “not a true lesbian”), or display actions that reinforce homophobic and transphobic mentalities.

Here For YOU

LGBTQ youth face a number of obstacles in seeking help when experiencing sexual or teen dating violence. The stigma surrounding those identifying as LGBTQ can lead to feelings of shame or embarrassment, the fear of not being believed, or individuals may fear retaliation. In addition, a lack of knowledge relating to teen dating violence or sexual violence can limit an individuals knowledge in available support options.

Albion stands with all individuals affected by sexual or domestic violence and will not discriminate based on age, gender, sexual orientation, gender expression, religion, etc. If you would like to speak with an advocate, call 812-422-9372.

Talking to Your Children About Sexual Assault

Starting the conversation around sexual assault with your child can be easy when combined with early development experiences and on-going conversations.

Conversations Matter

Conversations worth having may not always be easy, but they are worth it.

Per RAINN, child protective services substantiates or finds evidence for a claim of child sexual abuse every 9 minutes. Of those reported cases, 93% of perpetrators are known to the children who experience child sexual abuse, and 34% of those perpetrators are family members.

Experience teaches us that developing an understanding of situations can be more effective than expecting individuals to protect themselves, especially where children are involved. In the case of sexual assault, this means developing a relationship with your children that provides accurate, age-appropriate information and boosts their confidence that you will support them.

Where to Start

Starting the conversation about safety at an early age means that future discussions do not have to be sudden or shocking. Begin with teaching young children a basic understanding of their bodies, provide information about boundaries, and help them establish appropriate and inappropriate interactions.

Understanding Their Bodies

Teach children the words to describe their body parts. This can normalize their understanding and make it easier to ask questions and express concerns surrounding them.

Understanding Boundaries

Teach children which areas of the body are okay to touch or see. This can establish future dialogue and allow them to understand what is okay and what is not okay.

Understanding The Power of No

Teach children that they are allowed to say “no” when they are touched in any way that makes them uncomfortable. Children are taught to follow rules and mind their manners. Supporting your child to say no, even if it creates an uncomfortable position like denying a hug from family members, respects their decision and empowers them in the future.

Reassure Them They Are Not To Blame

Teach children that you will never be mad at them for asking questions or talking about their experiences. Provide a safe space for them to share information, no matter how uncomfortable it may make them.

Remind them that it is never their fault if someone touches them inappropriately, establishing understanding and a future basis against victim-blaming.

Be a Positive Role Model

Teach children the value of empathy and kindness by demonstrating it in your day-to-day routines. Pick up an item for someone who may have dropped it, or discuss their feelings with them by listening and replying with honest and open answers. Reinforce normal, positive ways to behave to instill that confidence in them.

Good Secrets & Bad Secrets

It’s okay to teach children the importance of keeping secrets, but they should be able to identify when a secret is worth talking about. Explain to them that secrets should not be kept because someone is tricking them or bribing them into keeping it, such as letting them do things you may not or making promises. Tell them directly that they should never be afraid to talk to you, no matter what someone says.

Continuing the Conversation

As your child becomes a teen, these conversations become the foundational support in talking about sexual assault.

Make Conversations Relevant

Don’t be afraid to ask your teen about relevant conversations taking place in the media. This can include social media, a new movie, the news, or even a popular television show. Ask if they might watch an episode with you. Provide them with the ability to ask questions, give their opinion, and value their point of view.

Become A Storyteller

Don’t exaggerate the truth. Share your personal experiences with truth and honesty, making conversations relevant and real to teens. If you do not feel comfortable sharing your personal story, look to stories of friends and families that you may use.

Establish Care For Others

Establish what it means to be a good friend and allow your teen the ability to express their views. These conversations can establish that you trust them to do the right thing & communicate safety they may not have previously considered.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk About Sexual Assault

Lack of direct conversation can mean that sexual assault is not something a teen understands or even truly knows about. With exposure to media rising as they grow, ensure that you are in front of the conversation and deepen your discussion of boundaries and inappropriate contact.

Talking to your children can open lines of communication, reinforce self-esteem, and help define personal rights and boundaries. Don’t wait until it’s too late.

If your child has experienced sexual abuse, call 812-422-9372 and request to speak with an advocate who can provide information and support.

Join us in the fight against sexual and domestic violence and donate today.