Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Awareness

Creator of S.A.A.R.A.

To view Joni Poole's Myspace
To read Joni Poole's Story click Here
To read Joni Poole's Letter to Abuser click Here
To read Joni Poole's Poems click Here

My name is Joni Poole. I am the creator of S.A.A.R.A. (Sexual Abuse, Assault, and Rape Awareness). I am 18 year old and a Freshmen in College. I am a rape victim and survivor. I created this website in an effort to spread awareness to others. In the days and weeks following my attack, I remember looking for help online and feeling overwhelmed with what was out there. I could not seem to find a site that provided me with what I needed and wanted to know. I became angry with the world. It was so hard to talk about what had happened to me. I felt I was drowning in my own personal sea of sorrow. I lived from court date to court date and drifted further and further from my family. My mother suggested counseling and at first I refused. I was angry that she would even suggest such a thing. However, I gave in. That one decision was the best decision I have ever made in my life. My counselor has helped me through so much. She was there for me throughout the court proceedings, and if I ever need inspiration, a helping hand, or someone to talk to, I know she will continue to be there.

Court date after court date, my junior year soon passed. A trial was set for the following summer. It was scheduled for the month before my senior year was to start. I was thinking finally I will be able to have a "normal" senior year. However, my hopes were shattered when trial was once again rescheduled. School began and we were assigned the infamous "Senior Project" that everyone was dreading. The Senior Project is a year long project given to all seniors. The project requires the student to do something they have no experience in. The student must have a mentor, make a research notebook, type a research paper about the project, make a product, and present the product and a speech to 10 people before presenting it to a panel of judges. I had no idea what I was going to do. I began talking to family members and we started making outlines for possible projects. Possible Project #1- Make a bluetick coonhound into a Show Champion. Possible Project #2- Do a research project on motorcycle drag racing. I decided to do the project on drag racing. I typed my letter of intent and was ready to turn it in. I was happy with the idea and was looking forward to working on the project, but something else kept tugging at my heart. I did not know what it was, and I had an uneasy feeling all the time. One day while at a meeting with my counselor, we began talking about positive ways to channel the way I felt and how I could make a difference. We talked about Public Service Announcements, brochures, speeches, and other forms of spreading awareness. As I kept pondering ways that I could "speak out," the idea of making a website popped into my mind. However, I had no idea how to do it. Then I thought...I can make the website my Senior Project. I consulted my family about it, and although they thought it was a good idea, they were a little hesitant. I was feeling a little uneasy about changing the whole project at the last minute, but I felt it was something I had to do. I typed a new letter of intent and sent it in to be reviewed.

My letter of intent was returned to me and was not approved. I was so disappointed and began second guessing myself on my decision to create the website. Unable to change my topic however, I resubmitted a revised letter of intent. Again, it was returned unapproved. I began to get angry at myself. I had been denied twice and started feeling stupid for even choosing to change my original plan. At this point, I decided I would try to find out why my project had been denied before resubmitting it. I talked with the committee that graded my paper, and they explained what I needed to do in order to receive approval. After making the changes, I resubmitted the paper. I was overjoyed when it was finally approved. I can remember crying tears of happiness and relief. Even though I had no idea about how to get started on such a huge project, I was going to give it my all.

With court continued and a big project to work on, I often felt overwhelmed. Strangely, I found a sense of comfort when I worked on my website. I found three mentors to aid me in my research and product. They were my counselor, a victim's advocate, and a web page designer. My counselor and the victim's advocate helped me in making my research notebook. They provided me with the necessary materials and booklets relating to my topic. I finished my research notebook and turned it in to my teacher. The research notebook was graded and returned to me. I was thrilled when I saw the 98 on the grading rubric. I began to think that this website just might become a reality after all.

Due dates came and due dates passed. I turned every assignment in early and received the following grades on these assignments: Research Notebook- 98, Research Paper Outline- 100, First Draft of Research Paper- 111, Research Paper- 101. I became more and more involved in the project and began to enjoy working on it more and more. I spent every minute of available time working on completing my website. I was thrilled when I finally was able to purchase the website domain: saaraonline.com.

Now my website has become more than just a project. It is now my focus, my escape, and something I look forward to working on everyday. I hope the site inspires you or helps you in some way. I have healed through the making of this site and look forward to helping spread awareness to all those who view it. Spreading awareness has become my mission, and it is my hope and desire that this website has helped, and will continue to help, victims of a sexual crime.

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