11/21/2025
This is why I love and respect Mariska Hargitay! She has done so much for survivors and advocacy! What I would give to sit and have coffee with her talk!
Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corporation
- Home
- United States
- Appleton, WI
- Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corporation
You Matter. Your Story Matters. This stands in Appleton, WI as a beacon of light to survivors of sexual assault and brings awareness to the community.
Address
Appleton, WI
Website
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corporation posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Contact The Organization
Send a message to Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corporation:
Share
Category
The Vision to Build
If only it hadn’t been a silent topic. If only I had known the words to speak. If only someone had listened to me, asked the right questions. If only I could stand tall again - but a moment stole my strength, handicapped my heart, ripped my spirit. And right when I thought healing was close - it happened again - and then again. This is my story. This is sexual assault. Each story is different, and each survivor survives in the ways they know how.
My name is Chelsea Bongert and I am a teacher in the Appleton Area School District, teaching 8th grade math. I am also a speaker, advocate, and survivor of sexual assault. I am writing you today to explain about my new non-profit; Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corp, and humbly ask for your financial support. I would like to tell you the background of this non-profit so you can see the heart behind it.
As I said, I am a survivor of multiple assaults, starting when I was 14. When I started teaching in Appleton 11 years ago, I had some students come to me, and tell me their experiences with sexual assault. As a young teacher, they felt I could relate better and understand - but they didn’t know how very much I understood. I knew I had to do something to let all teenagers know they were not alone. So, I approached my administration and asked if I could lead an assembly each year on sexual assault awareness. They said yes, and it has now expanded to be an annual event with me going to each middle school in Appleton district talking to the 8th graders. This is my 10th year speaking in the schools now. I share my personal story of multiple rapes and assaults - the pain, the emotions, the hope and healing that comes, and what actions we can take together to make a change in the community and our own thinking. Each year I am joined by a panel of experts from the community who help support the audiences during these presentations. We travel to every middle school in Appleton to speak to the 8th graders annually, and other schools in the Fox Cities, spreading the message of sexual assault awareness. I have also spoken at the Appleton Voices of Men annual events, been invited to lead business events, lead staff developments, and I was invited to speak for 3 days in LaCrosse at middle schools and community events last year. Each year I have multiple students, staff, and audience members come to me after events in tears - telling me their personal story of sexual assault. I have heard stories of indescribable pain come from area 8th grade students, and seen tears roll down the faces of veteran teachers saying “I have never told anyone in 30 years…” I have held survivors as they cried, finally knowing it is not their fault and they are not alone. Every year I continue to speak and spread awareness, but always ask myself, “What more can I do?” If only I could raise bigger community awareness, and also give hope to victims and survivors - letting them know they are not alone.
Because of these experiences in the last 10 years, I started the nonprofit Sexual Assault Survivors Monument Corporation. We are a recognized 501.c3 and I am happy to share that paperwork with you as well. Our nonprofit’s mission is: To be a beacon of hope and strength to victims and survivors - reminding them they matter - and educating the community so we can use our voices together to create change.
