Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Survivors Explain Career Path to Help Others

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Bentley and Ray Ball are married and both therapists. They tell WCCB Charlotte’s Emma Mondo that they are taking a stand this April to show their support of Sexual Assault Awareness Month by “Coloring It Blue.”

Brave Step is a local organization that helps survivors of sexual assault and their families navigate the healing process.

The “Color It Blue” campaign is a visual, public way for people to show their support of sex assault survivors, but it’s not just April.

“Brave Step is really trying to raise awareness all year round,” said Bentley.

The Balls know this topic first hand. Both Ray and Bentley are survivors themselves. They met in college and connected over their shared trauma. Now, 32 years and four kids later, they use their bond to help others.

“Hopefully we are beneficial to them, but it kind of goes both ways. I get healing, learn things, when I engage with other people, so I think that we both enjoyed that part of being therapist,” she says.

According to the CDC, half of the women in the world have experienced sexual violence. One in four woman and one in 26 men have been raped.

“Anywhere where you’ve got people interacting,” says Ray, “you’ve got a power differential going on, and some people use that to bless others, and other people use that to take advantage.”

Ray gets emotional when he tells WCCB Charlotte’s Emma Mondo how important it is to find people who understand. He says, “I traveled halfway around the world to find men who could handle my story. So I would just say to survivors, just don’t rest until you find someone.”

For more information on Brave Step and their events, click here.