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Winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund - August 5, 2008
Susan Paraspolo Honored with $5,000 Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund Award
August 5, 2008

Farmingdale, New York Resident Wins Cash Award For Support Services For Victims Of Rape And Sexual Assault


(New York, NY, August 5, 2008) - Farmingdale, New York resident Susan Paraspolo, 40, is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of creating a better tomorrow for her community. Susan was named this week's winner of the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund, a weekly $5,000 cash award program from Avon Products, Inc. to support individuals in their work to empower women. She was selected by a newly expanded panel of judges that now includes Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York and actress Phylicia Rashad. Susan will use her award to expand the forensic evaluation and emotional support services offered to victims of rape and sexual assault through the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program.

Rape and sexual assault remain one of the most underreported crimes nationwide. SANE offers victims an alternative to the emergency room by providing forensic evaluation and emotional support from volunteer nurses who specialize in rape counseling. Each year, the SANE program at the VIBS Family Violence and Rape Crisis Center treats approximately 250 survivors who have ranged in age from three months to eighty-seven years. These only account for those who come forward but, Susan notes, "we may not be able to stop the perpetrators, but the survivors do not have to live shattered lives after the assault."

While working as a surgical technologist after college, Susan realized that she wanted to work in a capacity that allowed her to address issues of human sexuality and rape. She is now a health professor with a focus on human sexuality and issues surrounding family and sexual violence, and has been working with SANE for the past four years. Increasing incidents of rape and sexual assault inspired Susan to take action and motivated her to focus on helping empower and restore women and children victims, and teach them that they were not at fault. She is strongly dedicated to eradicating victims' shame and educating society that it is the perpetrators, not their victims, who have committed a crime.

Within the first four months of 2008, SANE had already treated 120 survivors. If the figures progress at the current rate, they will treat more victims of assault in 2008 than in any year past. Thanks to her Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award, Susan will be able to expand the program to provide better care for survivors. She will use the funds to purchase much-needed new camera equipment for the forensic portion of the rape exam, as well as new computer equipment. In addition, she will be able to provide clothing for the survivors, as their garments must often be turned in as forensic evidence. Susan will also allocate funds toward community outreach to increase awareness of the SANE program. Thanks to her tireless dedication and Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund award, Susan will be able to offer survivors of rape and sexual assault the comfort, counseling and emotional support they need.

Susan's winning application to the Avon Hello Tomorrow Fund met the criteria of clearly presenting unique and achievable objectives to empower women or girls and ultimately improve society. It was selected from a pool of strong contenders by an expert panel of judges, including personal finance expert, Suze Orman, actress Phylicia Rashad and Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York. Another judge, fashion designer and entrepreneur Cynthia Rowley, noted that "survivors of such crimes need to know it's not their fault. This could give them a sense that they are not alone."

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