Courage Starts With You

Sherrie Allsup is an advocate, educator, and survivor of long term sexual assault.

Finding the Courage

Sherrie Allsup is the creator of the foundation Courage Starts With You, an organization determined to put an end to sexual assault. Her hope is that everyone finds the courage to take a stand. This foundation was created for everyone – victims, law enforcement, teachers, peers, friends, and family members.

As a former sexual assault survivor, Sherrie knows first hand how the trauma of sexual assault can have lasting effects on a person. Her goal is to empower victims with the courage to reach out for help, the courage for campuses to have the right tools to handle these experiences, the courage for law enforcement to learn these cases must be treated tenderly, and the courage for friends and family members to listen and support survivors.

Every 73 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted. With the right resources, we can team together to end sexual assault.

Change is Achievable

Through speaking engagements, police training, and campus education, Sherrie believes together we can make a difference. She’s seen strides of success when she teamed up with the Chief of Police, Wiley Gammon, at Atlanta Metropolitan State College. Chief Gammon took it upon himself to dedicate over 100 hours of training on how to properly address sexual assault investigations without stigma. He is now certified with Georgia’s Peace Officer Standards and Training Council.

Research shows that over 23% of undergraduate women experience sexual assault, but it’s important to keep in mind that not everyone reports. These assaults typically happen the first few months students are on campus. With proper training and education, we can help keep students safe.

We've had the honor to work with

Contact Sherrie

Join Sherrie in the fight against sexual assault and abuse in our society. Together we can shine a light on the darkness in our community.

Testimonials

"Very good class. Information provided to police officers is very helpful and long overdue. Thank you, Sherrie, for sharing your story."
Police Officer
Atlanta Metropolitan State College Police Officer
"You are Gods gift to those that don't have a voice."
Police Officer
University of Miami/Florida
"Training was very well organized and informative. I can use the information gained to better help victims."
Matagorda County Texas Women's Crisis Center
"Sherrie, it was great having you and Chief Gammon in Yuma presenting to our local law enforcement. On behalf of all the Yuma SCOPE agencies, thank you so much for some great training. You bring a perspective I believe all officers need to hear. I know all the reviews were very positive!
Steve Suho
Chief of Police at Arizona Western College
"My name is Amilcar, I am an employee of MHACY and we briefly met (and embraced) today during your Yonkers visit. I want to start by telling you that no matter what I set out to accomplish with my life, nothing will seem as courageous as seeing people like you standing in front of complete strangers and sharing your story; yet I am so glad that you do...because it is needed. You are exceptional!!!"
Amilcar Francisco
Assistant Housing Supervisor, Housing Choice Voucher Program