WCASA Voices of Courage Award

On Saturday, April 26th, the Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (WCASA) will present its 2014 Voices Of Courage Awards at the Madison Masonic Center in Madison. Since 1999, WCASA has presented these awards to coincide with Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). They recognize and honor the outstanding work of Wisconsin individuals and organizations that have exceeded the very highest standards in their dedicated efforts to end sexual violence and support survivors. This year the annual awards are being given to eight people in seven categories.

Sarah Chesmore, Clinical/Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Emergency Room Coordinator at Fort Health Care, was nominated in the Health & Human Services category.

FHC has been very fortunate to have Sarah Chesmore as one of their leaders. She has been untiring and instrumental in returning the adolescent/adult SANE program to the counties served by Fort HealthCare. She has worked collaboratively on her community Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), partnering with law enforcement departments, People Against Domestic & Sexual Abuse (PADA), hospital board members, physicians, volunteers, and staff to establish a strong program for victims of sexual assault. Sarah has done a wonderful job providing emotional support to her SANEs as well as helping them learn to support each other. In its second year, the program services offered are being expanded to include care for victims of interpersonal violence. She has been an integral part in sending the message to our community that we care about sexual assault victims.

Sexual violence is pervasive in Wisconsin as well as across the nation. The numbers are quite
sobering; the most recent comprehensive national survey found that one in five women, and one in seventy-one men, experience sexual violence during their lives. “The Voices of Courage Awards ceremony is our opportunity to celebrate the courageous efforts of those doing superlative work to end sexual violence,” said Pennie Meyers, Executive Director at WCASA.

WCASA congratulates Sarah Chesmore on her achievements and joins her community and the state in celebration. For more information on the Voices of Courage Awards, visit http://www.wcasa.org/pages/Events-VOCAwards.php.