Liberty University will partner with global nonprofit Fear 2 Freedom (F2F) and Lynchburg General Hospital to provide care kits for victims of sexual abuse during its first annual Celebration Night from 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 20, in the Schilling Center. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided. Volunteers are asked to help set up from 4-6 p.m.
Founder and president of F2F, Rosemary Trible, will share her own story of sexual abuse at age 25. She is the wife of former U.S. Sen. Paul Trible.
“It is through my own dark road of pain that I have become so passionate about helping victims and fighting against abuse,” Trible said. “In 1975, I hosted a morning TV talk show in Richmond called ‘Rosemary’s Guestbook.’ I did a show on sexual assault, never realizing I would be (one of those victims) raped at gunpoint three days later.”
Volunteers will assemble 250 kits for victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence who are treated at Lynchburg General Hospital. The kits include basic toiletries and clothing — items that are often taken at the hospital for evidence. The number of kits was determined by how many victims were assisted at the hospital last year.
According to F2F, a person is sexually assaulted in America every two minutes. Additionally, one in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, and half of those before the age of 18.
F2F educates and empowers colleges and communities to help prevent sexual abuse, including sexual assault, date rape, and sex trafficking. Its mission is to redeem and restore the lives of those affected by abuse and to mobilize college students to join them in the cause.