We’re always incredibly grateful when our community organizes fundraisers for WAVAW, but what we’re about to share is a WAVAW first! Meet Alyssa Kroeker, a wrestling coach, owner/operator of AMK Strength & Conditioning, and survivor in our WAVAW community. Alyssa reached out to us earlier this year to share that she is planning a six month hike along the Pacific Crest Trail starting March 26, 2022 to help raise awareness and donations for survivors of sexualized violence.

We were completely moved by the idea that someone would be willing to embark on a 4,270 kilometer-long trek to support survivors so naturally, we wanted to learn more about Alyssa and what motivated her to go on this journey. We sat down with Alyssa and chatted about both her upcoming journey on the Pacific Crest Trail and her journey as a sexual assault survivor. 

[WAVAW] “First of all, thank you so much for stepping up in this empowering way for survivors. We’re thrilled that you are including WAVAW and the survivors we serve in this fascinating journey. Can you tell us what made you decide to do this fundraiser?”

[Alyssa] “I have been planning to hike the Pacific Crest Trail for a while, but hadn’t considered making it a fundraiser at first. As time went on, I found myself reflecting more on why I wanted to hike this trail to begin with, and that reason was to get my power back after I felt it was taken from me after my sexual assault. Then, I thought about how meaningful it could be to learn about someone’s journey to find their strength again after experiencing the trauma of sexualized violence and realized – That could be me! But I wanted to take it beyond just sharing my story so I made a goal to raise $10,000 to benefit both WAVAW and SOWINS [South Okanagan Women in Need Society] and that’s when I reached out to your team!”

[WAVAW] “The Pacific Crest Trail is an incredibly ambitious 4,270 km journey. What inspired you to do a 6 month hike? What do you hope to accomplish during this time?”

[Alyssa] “My partner threw on the movie, ‘Wild’ for me back in September of 2020 with the hopes that I might be inspired by this film to feel excited (and safe) to go on small hikes again. To our surprise, I ended up taking this to another level by planning to explore the Pacific Crest Trail with the hope that my journey will inspire as many survivors and supporters of survivors as I can! While I’m out there, I’ll be finding my strength and voice and I hope it will help other survivors and allies to find theirs too!”

[WAVAW] “There are so many worthy organizations to support. What made you choose WAVAW as one of your beneficiaries? What made you feel connected to us?”

[Alyssa] “I am a survivor myself, and WAVAW was there to support me at the hospital and with police reporting after my assault. WAVAW’s Victim Services Team was there providing me emotional support and resources while making sure my partner was included in this process so that he was equipped to be there for me. The WAVAW team also provided me with free counselling so I had tools to cope with my experience and learn how I can live my life after this assault had happened. I’m very grateful to not be left feeling alone in this experience, and that there are organizations like WAVAW to help survivors like me.”

[WAVAW] “We’re always inspired to see how the community rallies together to support survivors. Why is it so important for you to support survivors? What do you want survivors to know?” 

[Alyssa] “It’s important for me to support survivors because I know that not all survivors have support or know how to access support and that is heartbreaking. While I have been very lucky in my support system being there for me night and day, I’ve lost a few friends and family members when I came forward because it made them too uncomfortable to acknowledge the violence that I experienced. We need to show-up for one another to make sure that no one has to be alone after an assault.”

[WAVAW] “What changes do you want to see to end sexualized violence? What does a future that is safer for survivors look like?”

[Alyssa] “Sexual assault is seen as a taboo subject but it shouldn’t be. It NEEDS to be talked about! It needs to be taught in schools so all genders understand that sexual assault can start as early as elementary school. I want to see this discussed in schools educating children from kindergarten all the way through university! Every single person knows someone who has been assaulted, yet not many people know someone who has assaulted someone. THAT is a problem!”

We completely agree, Alyssa and we’re so thankful that you are advocating for survivors in this way! We’ll be following her journey over the next six months and we hope you all do the same. Check out her website and follow her on instagram (@thebcbackpacker) where she will be sharing updates and insights. Send your donations directly through her GoFundMe or if you’d like a tax receipt, donate via WAVAW and enter ‘the BC Backpacker’ in the comments to make sure it will be applied towards her $10,000 goal!