Latest news with #VickiWank
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
People gather at Crystal Coast to support survivors of sexual assault
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Monday, Apr. 28, 2025, people gathered in Morehead City to take part in a Take Back the Night walk to support survivors of sexual assault. The walk went through Morehead City with people holding up signs to show support for survivors of sexual assault. 'This is our fourth-annual Tack Back the Night Walk. We hold those walks to bring awareness to sexual assault in our communities and it's a good way to let people know who we are and what we do,' Carteret Speak Director Vicki Wank said. 'Sexual assault does happen in every community and so, this is a great way to bring it to light and with our new name of Carter Speak, remind people that we speak up for survivors and speak out against sexual violence.' The Carteret Speak Program provides a number of resources. 'All of our services are completely free and confidential. There's no insurance, no eligibility. Everything is free and confidential,' Wank said. 'We provide licensed clinical therapy sessions for survivors of sexual assault. We have victim advocates who will assist victims at the hospital through court proceedings, interviews with law enforcement and we also have support groups for survivors of sexual assault. Our support groups meet on the first and third Monday evenings of each month from 6 p.m. to 7:30.' Wank said anyone can become a victim of sexual assault and it can happen in many ways. 'But it knows no socioeconomic class, race, sex, religion, it's everybody who experiences some form of sexual assault in their families, in their communities,' she said. 'And we want people to know it's okay to reach out to us. If anybody needs our services, they can reach us at (252)-504-3668.' Carteret SPEAK also has advocacy and volunteer opportunities available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Yahoo
Carteret County Rape Crisis Program rebrands as S.P.E.A.K.
CARTERET COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) — In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the Carteret County Rape Crisis Program is now renamed S.P.E.A.K. The rebranding, approved by the Carteret County Board of Commissioners reflects the program's mission to provide Support, Prevention, Empowerment, Advocacy, and Knowledge to survivors and the community. The name S.P.E.A.K. represents the program's commitment to helping survivors findtheir voices while encouraging the community to SPEAK up for survivors, SPEAK outagainst sexual violence, and take action to prevent assault. The new identity is concise, memorable, and aligns with the program's core values and focuses on education, prevention, and advocacy. 'This new name clearly communicates who we are and what we stand for,' Program Director Vicki Wank said. 'It's not just about crisis response—it's about empowering survivors, educating the public, and fostering a culture of accountability. With slogans like 'Speak Up, Speak Out,' we hope to inspire more conversations and action.' Throughout April, Carteret S.P.E.A.K. is hosting several events to engagethe community including: 4th Annual 'Take Back the Night' – Monday, April 28, at 4 us at Carteret S.P.E.A.K. (300 Penny Lane, Morehead City) for an openhouse event featuring local resources, followed by a solidarity walk to raiseawareness and support survivors. Denim Day – Wednesday, April 30Residents are encouraged to wear denim to challenge victim-blaming myths andstand with survivors. This global movement began after a 1998 court case wherea judge wrongly suggested a victim's clothing justified assault. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
