Why Ezer Association Focuses on Identity

The reality is that there are many organizations and groups focused on preventing and intervening against sexual abuse and exploitation of minors. These groups are accomplishing incredible things - saving lives, aiding in healing, and getting justice.

So why one more? Why Ezer Association?

Truthfully, while newly established, Ezer Association will likely (and frankly aspires to) make a similar impact as the more well-known organizations. Afterall, the goal is to eradicate sexual abuse and exploitation. However, we hope to be set apart and known for something else as well.

We want it to be known that at the heart of what we do – the foundation on which we stand – is our conviction that identity and inherent worth (regardless of being considered a survivor, at-risk, or something else) are not defined by conditions or experiences, but rather by our loving and heavenly creator, God.

Why is this so important to Ezer Association?

While we always knew what we wanted to fight against, our early research led to one somewhat confusing statistic that ultimately revealed and clarified this for us.

A thought-provoking statistic from the National Center for Victims of Crime indicates that children who were raped or a victim of an attempted rape in their adolescent years were 13.7 times more likely to have similar experiences again in their first year of college.

Our founding members grappled with this and attempted to understand it more deeply. This statistic wasn’t only sad, but frustrating. Why would someone who experienced such abuse early on in life be more susceptible to it again as a young adult?

I cannot and will not ever be able to understand everyone’s experiences, but this statistic forced me to reflect on my own.

From personal experience, I know significant and traumatic experiences can tend to replay in our mind on a loop…sometimes playing alongside a narrative that unfortunately may include lies and falsehoods about how we contributed to the situation and/or were at fault.

These loops slowly etch into how we see ourselves, our identity. Negative changes in how we view ourselves can potentially lead to feeling “less worthy” or believing the lie that because something happened before, it not only defines us, but also what we must accept – or worse – what we deserve.

This way of thinking, as real and heavy as it may feel, is based on deceit and lies – not truth and light. That’s why at Ezer Association – all our efforts are underpinned with the reminder of the truth – that our identity and worth is and was always meant to be rooted in who we are as children of the one true God who loves us.

If you believe in this truth and want to be part of our journey, please consider donating or getting involved!