NEWS
Within Reach Campaign | February 18, 2018
Two WCA Interns Learn at Work
An Interview with WCA Champions,
Nora Martinez & Chilan Nguyen
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Chilan and Nora both studied journalism at Creighton University, Nora a recent grad and Chilan in her junior year. Both are interning at the WCA this semester.
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WHAT DID YOU KNOW ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT BEFORE YOU STARTED YOUR INTERNSHIP?
Chilan: I didn’t really know much about it. I had a false perception of those people in those situations. I thought, “Why are they in those situations?” I thought it must be easy for them to leave. But in reality those situations are difficult and reasons outside the relationship that make it difficult to leave: financial, having children, etc. I think through my time and experience here I’ve been able to learn more about that and be more aware of all the factors that keep someone in it.
Nora: Yeah, I’ve come to understand that it’s not easy to get out of a situation like that. And learned about all the ways that the WCA helps them get out. Things like creating escape plans with victims and giving victims phones to help them communicate in situations where the perpetrator could take or monitor their phone. I would have never thought of people needing these things.
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LEARNING AT THE WCA DURING YOUR INTERNSHIP?
Chilan: The importance of education and awareness. Like I said, I didn’t know a lot about domestic violence before. I wasn’t educated about it or aware of it. Being able to intern here has opened my eyes to what it really is. If more people were aware of how serious it is, things would start to change.
Nora: Yeah, I’ve realized that I have a lot to learn, and become more open to talking about it. I wish there was more awareness to the issue, that people would see it’s not a myth. If you read the comments on social media….you see a lot of victim blaming, rather than acknowledging it for what it is. People will say how sexual assault happened because of how someone looked, what they were wearing, what they were drinking. I wish we could break the stigma of this.
WHAT CAN OUR COMMUNITY DO TO CHANGE THINGS FOR THE BETTER?
Nora: I think it’s important in situations of sexual assault and domestic violence—not just in our community, but in our society—to stop victim blaming. It can happen to anyone and only 2-8% percent of reports are faked. Most of the time they’re real.
Chilan: When an assault happens people ask, “Why did that happen?” We should not be asking that question, we should be focusing on helping the victim. The WCA is asking, “How can we help you?” And then offers whatever help the victim is ready to receive. We should be doing this as a community.
WHEN WE SAY THE WCA IS WITHIN REACH, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
Chilan: I think it means that the WCA is available to whatever needs the community has. Whether it’s awareness or helping someone get out of a violent situation, they’re central to the community and involved in helping and committed to it.
Nora: I think it speaks to the WCA’s confidential support. You know they’re there to help. A lot of times it’s hard to talk to someone when you need help. It’s hard to open up to someone, but everyone has the WCA there within reach to have a one-on-one confidential conversation that can help.
If you’d like to intern with the WCA, please contact Jacquie at JacquieG@wcaomaha.org
