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2025 UPDATE! Families First, Inc. would like to thank the Columbus County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation for their support. We would like to say thanks for the generous grant of $9250 from the 2025 Columbus county Community Foundation from the Columbus County Anonymous Fund. The grant, earmarked for General Operating Support, will provide a lifeline to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. The grant will not only help maintain essential services but also provide a beacon of hope and encouragement to survivors who rely on Families First, Inc.'s support.
Exploring Help-Seeking Pathways: The Role of Informal Support in Supporting Sexual Assault Victims and Their Pursuit of Formal Resources
My name is Teairstayn Jones and I am a graduate student under the direction of Professor Danielle Wallace and Professor Stacia Stolzenberg in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Arizona State University. I am conducting a research study to better understand how victims of sexual assault seek help and gain support from those close to them and formal resources (e.g., law enforcement agencies, medical agencies, legal or court services, mental health services, campus offices, etc…).
I am recruiting individuals to complete an online survey, which should take 25 minutes to complete. You must be 18 years and older to complete the survey and live in the United States. The online survey will ask you about your sexual assault experience, who you chose to tell about the assault, and how you got access to resources for help. There are a few questions that will ask you to dive deeper into who you disclosed to and how you accessed formal resources (e.g., law enforcement agencies, medical agencies, legal or court services, mental health services, campus offices, etc…). If you did not seek help from formal resources, you will be asked about what the criminal justice system, as well as those in your social circle, can do to encourage formal help-seeking.
As a thank you for participating in this survey, you will have a chance to win one of six $100 Amazon gift cards. At the end of the survey, you will be directed to a separate form where you can enter your email address for the prize drawing. Your email will not be linked to your survey responses and will only be used for the drawing. Six winners will be selected by August and notified via email.
Your participation in this study is voluntary; you can quit at any time. Also, all information is anonymous. Personally identifying information will only be collected if you agree to participate in a follow-up Zoom interview which is collected through a separate survey.
If you’re interested in participating in this study, please click on the link below:https://asupublicprograms.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bBXKSUihWEWOAbY
If you have any questions concerning the research study, please contact the research team: Dr. Wallace (danielle.wallace@asu.edu), Teairstayn Jones (tkjones3@asu.edu); or Dr. Stacia Stolzenberg (stacia.stolzenberg@asu.edu).
Families First, Inc. would like to thank the Columbus County Community Foundation, an affiliate of the North Carolina Community Foundation for their support. Thanks to a generous grant of $15,000 we will be able to keep our shelter operational while we work on rebuilding our new facility. The grant, earmarked for General Operating Support, will provide a lifeline to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault as we undergo the process of rebuilding our shelter. The grant will not only help maintain essential services but also provide a beacon of hope and encouragement to survivors who rely on Families First, Inc.'s support.
In 1995 there was a need in our community that wasn’t being met. Through the hard work and dedication of our staff, volunteers, and our communities, Families First, Inc. has grown and we have helped thousands of survivors. We are honored to have serve Bladen and Columbus Counties for 25 amazing years and with your help may we serve for many more to come. Thank you all for your support!
Thank you so much to North Carolina Community Foundation and the Louise Oriole Burevitch Endowment for awarding Families First, Inc. with two grants, one totaling $30,000.00 and another for $1000.00! It is because of organizations like you that we can serve survivors or domestic violence and sexual assault! Again, thank you!
For anyone looking to find out more about Louise Oriole Burevich, she was a Wilmington NC resident with a heart for philanthropy and charitable giving. Read her story here: https://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/.../mrs-b-a...
