Fundraising Tips for Race for Healing
Fundraising or posting publicly about your participation is not required though many find it to be a rewarding experience! You likely have others in your life impacted by childhood sexual abuse who will be encouraged by your willingness to open the conversation. If you post on social media, tag us with @wingsfound and #TogetherWeSoar or #SpaceToHeal – we love seeing and sharing your posts!
If you’re uncertain how to invite others to participate in the Race for Healing – we have you covered! Here are tips from a survivor, Andrea, who has thrived at this activity:
Wings Race for Healing 2023
Did you know that September is Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor Awareness Month (CSA-SAM)?
I am inviting you to support Wings and my month-long journey to bring awareness, solidarity and strength to CSA survivors and this issue. I’m creating space to heal by [insert your 5K activities].
Please consider donating to support this cause!
[Insert a link to your fundraising page here]
Invite others to join you either in person or virtually to register for the Race for Healing 2023!
TIP: You may want to invite those who live nearby to join you in a small group to complete your “5K” activities together. We recommend anyone meeting in person should be vaccinated and follow all local safety precautions.
Wings Race for Healing 2023
Did you know that September is Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor Awareness Month (CSA-SAM)?
I am inviting you to support Wings and my month-long journey to bring awareness, solidarity and strength to CSA survivors and this issue.
Join me by registering for the event! You can also choose any number of meaningful activities for this special virtual “5K” – all throughout September!
Help tear down myths surrounding Child Sexual Abuse! Post a myth/truth and invite others to donate. I would only post one myth/reality item. TIP: Select the one that speaks the most to you! Continue to publicly thank the friends/family that make donations.
Wings Race for Healing 2023
Together we can clear up misinformation about childhood sexual abuse!
Myth: Sexual abuse only happens to girls.
Reality: 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men, or 1 in 5 people of all gender identities experience some type of sexual abuse before 18 years of age. Current estimates report there are 60 million survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the United States today.
Myth: Sexual abuse only happens to people of a certain race, religion, socioeconomic status, or geographic location.
Reality: Sexual abuse is an equal opportunity crime and occurs across all races, cultures, religions, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and countries.
Myth: Sexual abuse happens mostly to teenagers who are sexually promiscuous.
Reality: The most common ages of children when sexual abuse are between 8 and 12 years. Of rape victims, 15% are younger than 12 years old. The median age for reporting sexual abuse is 9.9 for boys and 9.6 for girls. Unfortunately, being sexually abused at this young age often leads to revictimization in teenage and adult years.
Myth: If you don’t have actual memories of the abuse, then it didn’t happen.
Reality: Due to the way a child’s psyche protects itself from trauma, it is not uncommon for years to pass before a survivor is able to remember, talk about or even understand that what happened was sexual abuse. In these cases, adult survivors of sexual abuse may come forward decades later about their experiences.
At least 10% of the people sexually abused as children will experience periods of complete amnesia for their abuse, followed by experiences of delayed recall. In a study of 129 women who were taken to an emergency room due to sexual abuse during childhood, 38% did not recall the abuse when asked by researchers 17 years later. Of those who did remember the abuse, 16% reported that there was a time in the past when they did not remember that the abuse had happened.
Whenever a survivor feels ready to address their trauma, that is the right time.
Please consider making a donation to help support this cause!
[Insert a link to your fundraising page here]
Something might resonate with someone and lead them on the path to healing! TIP: Remember, you get to decide what you post and whether or not to share any part of your personal story.
Wings Race for Healing 2023
An important step in the healing journey is the process of educating yourself about childhood sexual trauma and its effects on the mind, body, spirit, emotional and relational components of a person. If you are a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, you may or may not experience some of the more common symptoms or events listed below. However, this list is not comprehensive, and it is important to remember that every person’s response to trauma is unique.
What are the Impacts of CSA Trauma?
You can learn more about the impacts of CSA trauma on our website.
If you identify with some of these impacts related to the abuse you experienced, it is important to seek help from a professional to discuss and work through them. Healing IS possible with the right therapist and through group support.
Please consider donating to help support this cause!
[Insert a link to your fundraising page here]
Remind people that you’re participating. Invite them to register and/or make a donation. TIP: Post a photo of yourself before, during, or after your run and make sure to tag @wingsfound and #TogetherWeSoar or #SpaceToHeal
Wings Race for Healing 2023
Tomorrow/today is the BIG DAY! I’m going to create space to heal by (insert 5K activity(ies) as part of Wings’ Race for Healing. Thank you to the many friends and family that have donated towards my fundraiser, shared stories with me and that continue to bring awareness, support and strength to adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It’s not too late to join the event or donate.
wingsfound.org/race-for-healing
Now that the event is over, you have time to reflect and ask for support one more time! TIP: You may want to include a few sentences on why participating this year was personally meaningful to you.
Today is the last day of Childhood Sexual Abuse Survivor Awareness Month (CSA-SAM). Although the month is over, the mission of Wings is ongoing, and the work being done continues. Wings’ is here to support adult survivors to transcend trauma and lead their fullest, healthiest lives.
If you have not done so already, please consider making a donation. Also, a huge shout out to Wings for putting the Race for Healing together and supporting us every step of the way.
[Insert a link to your fundraising page here]