A Community Approach to Survivor Support

Every April, Sexual Assault Awareness Month gives communities a chance to slow down, pay attention, and remind survivors that support is available. That matters in rural places like Sampson County, where distance, privacy concerns, and stigma can make it harder to reach out. 

 

Advocates and researchers note that confidentiality can be more difficult in rural communities because people often know each other in multiple settings, which can make privacy harder to protect. At the same time, North Carolina’s state-funded programs reported serving 8,577 sexual assault clients between July 2023 and June 2024. 

 

Here at home, U Care has been serving Sampson County since 1995 and is the primary domestic violence and sexual assault program serving the area, with support available for people in Clinton, Roseboro, Garland, Newton Grove, and nearby communities. As April 2026 begins, the April 4 pancake breakfast is a simple but meaningful reminder that awareness starts close to home.

 

When someone has experienced sexual assault, nearby support can make a real difference. A local, confidential place to call or visit can help reduce the feeling of being alone in a crisis. U Care offers a 24/7 crisis hotline, emergency shelter in Clinton, safety planning, legal advocacy, and community education designed to meet people where they are. 

 

That kind of survivor-centered support matters in a rural county, where taking the first step can feel especially difficult. Help that is close to home can also make it easier to focus on safety and next steps instead of transportation or other logistics.

 

For survivors, support does not have to begin with a big decision. It can start with one phone call. U Care’s local office and crisis line is 910-596-0931 , and our 24/7 toll-free crisis line is 888-229-3320. 

 

From there, survivors can connect with legal advocacy, court support, peer support groups, and one-on-one support. U Care also helps people think through practical options and connect with other community resources when additional services are needed. National resources like RAINN emphasize that medical care after sexual assault can help address injuries, infections, and pregnancy concerns, and that reporting to law enforcement is always a personal choice. Support should follow the survivor’s pace, priorities, and sense of safety.

 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is not only about statistics. It is about showing up for neighbors, friends, and family members in ways that feel real and local. U Care’s pancake breakfast on April 4 offers a family-friendly way to raise awareness, build connection, and support survivors in Sampson County. 

 

Those who cannot attend can still give through U Care’s secure online PayPal donation page. However someone chooses to take part this April, the message is the same: healing is possible, support is here, and no one has to carry this alone.