Volunteer Spotlight: Chloe Lehman
Flor Olivo, Outreach Volunteer.
The Rape Recovery Center volunteer team consists of nearly 150 incredible individuals who give their time, talents, and passion to furthering our mission of serving survivors and educating the community about sexual violence. This month we are spotlighting our talented Hospital Response Team Volunteer, Chloe Lehman
Chloe has been an amazing part of our Hospital Response Team (HRT). She is a loving and compassionate advocate and we are so lucky to have her on our team. Thank you for your continuous work and huge heart, Chloe!
What motivated you to become a volunteer at the Rape Recovery Center?
I know so many friends and family members who have been affected by sexual violence and deal with the effects daily. I wanted to do more to help prevent sexual violence and support survivors so I started looking for ways to help in my community and I found the Rape Recovery Center.
What have you enjoyed most about your time as an RRC volunteer?
I've really enjoyed getting to know all of the different people who care about these issues. There are so many incredible people involved and I've enjoyed learning, expanding my perspectives, and using my voice to help advocate for and empower survivors.
What is most challenging about your volunteer work at the RRC?
I think the most challenging thing is being so aware of just a fraction of the sexual violence that takes place in my community and then also seeing how it affects survivors and their friends and family. I have heard the statistic 1 in 3 women in Utah experience sexual violence but seeing that in real time is heartbreaking and devastating. It can feel really overwhelming some days, but I’m also really glad that I’m more aware and that I have the opportunity to do something small to help.
Tell us a little more about how you spend your time outside of volunteering for the RRC - hobbies, passions, work, school?
I currently work for a Civil Rights law firm downtown, but I'm hoping to go back and get an MSW at the U. In my free time I love to hike and trail run with my pup. I love spending as much time as possible outside. I love reading. And I love getting coffee with friends and talking about politics, spirituality, good books and movies, and zombie apocalypses.
You have immersed yourself in the very difficult work of addressing sexual violence. What gives you hope as you approach this work?
I feel hope when I see how many people care about this. Connecting to a community that is passionate about this has been so incredible. I feel less lonely in my advocacy and my passion for this work when I'm connected with so many smart, compassionate, amazing people who work so hard to support survivors and prevent sexual violence.
What is your message to others looking to get involved in this work, or considering volunteer work at the RRC?
I think there is something for every comfort level at the RRC. I believe that everyone has their gifts and talents and the RRC can find a place for yours. I also think it's important to find connection with survivors, the RRC staff, and other volunteers. It helps sustain me to see that there are so many around me that understand, want to support me, and are dedicated to this work.
How do you use their voice to support survivors of sexual assault?
I try to have conversations with people who may not know, understand, or have experience with sexual violence and talk about it in a trauma-informed, survivor-focused way. I also try to pay attention to legislation that would support or harm survivors and write or call my representatives. And I try to stay connected to people who care about this to learn other ways or better ways to support and advocate.