ATLANTA, Ind. — Local advocates are rallying efforts to provide crucial support to survivors of violent crime on Saturday. According to them, one of the significant hurdles survivors face is the lack of awareness about available resources.
Recent statistics from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reveal a stark reality about how often these types of crimes can occur: in 2022, there was an average time span of 14 minutes and 19 seconds between violent crimes in the state.
For those like Rhonda Knight, this reality hits close to home.
"I got stabbed in the eye, and the person kind of cut my throat," Knight recounted.
She said the aftermath led to a myriad of mental health challenges, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), panic attacks and anxiety. It's been a long healing journey, she stated. But that same journey is one that has allowed her to help people.
"It let me get the power I needed and the resources I needed to stand strong and make a difference for others," she said.
Eighteen years later, Knight channels her resilience into advocacy -- striving to empower others who have endured similar traumas. She does this by being an advocate and collaborating with organizations like PAVE to amplify support for survivors. PAVE advocates stress the urgency of addressing the prevalence of sexual assault, emphasizing that every three seconds, such crimes occur in the United States.
Its mission is also focused on ensuring people have information about available resources and is calling for increased funding to bolster existing programs.
"Making sure that there is awareness about what resources are here, but also increasing the aid and the funding to some of these programs that are here," a PAVE advocate said.
Advocates like Knight and organizations like PAVE collectively work to heal wounds and prevent future instances of violence. Their work underscores the crucial importance of community support and accessible resources in aiding survivors on their journey toward healing and justice.
For those in need, knowing where to turn in critical moments can make all the difference. In Lawrenceville and beyond, advocates like Knight stand ready to offer support and guidance -- ensuring that no survivor feels alone in their journey to reclaim precious moments.