By Migael Scherer
Special to The Weekly
Trusanda Lyons was chosen last month as the new Lopez advocate for SAFE San Juans. She replaces Kristina Moen, who served in the position since 2014. SAFE San Juans provides crisis response and assistance to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as community education and outreach.
An eight-year resident of the island, Lyons has worked at Lopez Island Medical Clinic and Hamlet House and has served on the board at the Lopez Pre-School. She has 12 years of experience as a certified nursing assistant.
Lyons became interested in SAFE San Juans while attending a workshop for parents on keeping young children safe from abuse. “I was so impressed with Kristina Moen’s presentation,” says Lyons. “She was so dignified and respectful.” When the position opened up Lyons was one of three who applied.
“I was so impressed with Kristina Moen’s presentation,” said Lyons. “She was so dignified and respectful.” When the position opened up Lyons was one of three who applied.
“We were looking for a self-starter and self-manager,” explained SAFE San Juans Executive Director Kim Bryan. “Someone with people skills, a strong aptitude for working with youth—empathic but also with strong personal boundaries. Trusanda was such a good fit.”
A survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, Lyons was at a spot where she was ready “to give back”. She knows how tough it is to heal, and the importance of talking to someone safe, who will listen without judgment or pressure. Lyons also embraces SAFE San Juans’ mission of social change and hopes to make domestic violence and sexual assault “a topic people don’t back away from.”
Among the projects she looks forward to is working in schools this spring, and helping with The Cove, a youth center in Friday Harbor.
“I’d love to see something like that here on Lopez,” Lyons said with enthusiasm. “It’s definitely needed.”
Lyons’ experience and goals align with SAFE San Juans’ focus on education and prevention. Formerly known as DVSAS, the new name was chosen by staff to reflect that they provide much more than services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. SAFE San Juans — along with its lighthouse logo — speaks positively to what advocates “want their communities to see, hear and feel when then look at us,” explained Bryan.
Lyons has weeks of training ahead before she takes on her full duties, which will include crisis response and legal advocacy. Like her predecessor, Lyons plans to continue helping people in the community support each other and respond when they see abusive behavior — to move closer to creating a safe Lopez Island. In her position, Lyons will divide her time: Mondays and Tuesdays on Lopez (her office is behind Blossom), Wednesdays and Thursdays in Friday Harbor. Says Lyons with a warm smile, “I’m here. I’m available. I’m approachable.”
Domestic violence and sexual assault occur everywhere. According to this newspaper’s sheriff’s log, 10 domestic violence/abuse incidents were reported between Dec. 21–Jan. 3 alone, four of them on Lopez Island. Earlier this month, a Friday Harbor man pled guilty to molesting a 20-month-old toddler last May.
Anyone interested in helping with this important work is encouraged to join the SAFE San Juans Board — two Lopez Island positions are currently open.
SAFE San Juans’ 24-hour helpline on Lopez is 468-4567. In non-emergencies, Lyons is available at 468-3788 or trusanda@safesj.org.
