FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is this all about?

A Black Rose is an organization that seeks to raise awareness for the issue of assault, harassment, stalking, and rape in the military. Our major campaign is the Black Rose Campaign for Awareness.

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Why should I care?

Every day, the people fighting for our freedom are in danger of being assaulted by their fellow servicemen. We believe that no one should suffer the emotional and physical trauma of sexual abuse, especially in the case of our armed forces. Remember, these people have put their lives on the line for us. The least we can do is push for better protections for them.

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Is it only for women?

Absolutely not. We believe that all are entitled to being free from the worry of rape and abuse. Men are often overlooked because they are the least likely to report such incidents. Please understand that men and women both deserve the awareness.

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Is this an anti-war/military website?

No. This site, content, and organization are in no way intended to bash or otherwise defame the US Military or its dedicated service members. We are, however, against the treatment of MST victims thus far and the lack of efficacy during the process of investigating who the rapists are.

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How can stay updated?

There are several ways to stay connected to A Black Rose. You can subscribe to our blog updates or find us on one of the social networks we're on. We usually update our Twitter page and Facebook page often.

Why isn't A Black Rose listed in charity directories?

There are several reasons why our organization may not be listed in charity directories like Charity Navigator. For one, we are still in the process of achieving the 501(c)3 status required by such organizations. Keep in mind that the application fee alone for such a status is $400 at minimum. Second, most evaluators require several years worth of IRS Form 990 filings for evaluation. Because we are so new, we do not yet have that record. Also, Charity Navigator, for example, requires public support to be more than $500,000 in the most recent fiscal year. That amount exceeds our income by a factor of more than 1000! In short, we urge supporters to take into consideration the following:
1. We do not take in a high level of income due to our agency's age.
2. Of the income we do take in, very little (if any) goes towards administrative fees or costs.
3. This agency is family-run.

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Site

I suffered abuse in the military. Can you tell me how to request a rose?

To request a rose, fill in as much or as little information you feel comfortable giving into our request form. We do require an email address, but only to help verify that our entries are genuine and not the result of a spammer. Remember that none of your information will be shared.

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I am the friend/relative of an abused soldier. Can I request a rose in their honor?

For privacy reasons, we prefer that the person who suffered abuse request the rose. However, one can request a rose in another person's honor by indicating in the comments field of the rose request form that they are doing so. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A ROSE/POST INFORMATION ABOUT SOMEONE WITHOUT THEIR EXPRESS PERMISSION.

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What is my "visitor number"? Can it be used to identify me?

Your unique "visitor number" is the number your request for a rose was in the order we received them. Because we do not associate an actual name or personal identifier with your visitor number, it cannot be used to identify you; rather, it is used to identify in what order our submissions are received.

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My story is private. Will it ever be posted publicly?

Only if you give your permission. Otherwise, we will NEVER post, display, or disclose information submitted to us. Even if you choose to allow us to post your story, it will never be posted with your name or other personally identifiable information. Our founder knows what it's like to have a story like yours to tell, and she understands that not everybody is ready to tell their story to the world. We respect your privacy above anything else.

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Does A Black Rose offer counseling/support?

Not at this time. A Black Rose is an organization aimed at raising awareness. You can speak with Olga, but keep in mind that we are not licensed to offer substitutes for real counseling. Fortunately, there are a number of excellent resources available to help you find the support that you need and if you ask, we will do our best to connect you with helpful services.

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Why do you accept donations? Where does the money go?

A Black Rose accepts donations to cover the costs of planning and executing our Black Rose Campaign. Because we do not have a private source of funding, we depend on the generosity of public donors. Please understand that the money donated is only used for the campaign and nothing else.

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Are donations tax deductible?

Not at this time. We are currently in the process of attaining tax exempt status, and until such a time that we become tax exempt, no donation to our cause will be tax deductible. For more information, see our donation policy.

At this time, the only donations we accept that will result in a tax deduction for the donor are vehicle donations. Please see the Vehicle Donation page for more information.

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Event

I'd like to attend the ceremony on Memorial Day, 2011. What do I do?

First, be aware that while we would love to be able to facilitate travel for every guest, we simply cannot pay or arrange for travel accommodations. That being said, we would be delighted to have you as a guest! Let us know through our contact page if you are coming, and we'll keep you updated about event times, places, and ways for you to find hotels, flights and more!

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Can my organization/business sponsor a Black Rose event?

Of course! We offer several options for business and organizations to sponsor us. You can contact us directly about a sponsorship or you may choose to purchase a sponsorship package. Sponsoring our events can be a great way for a business or organization to promote themselves by being associated by a movement like ours. As a nonprofit organization, much of our ability to continue our campaign comes from individual donations and sponsorships. To learn more, see our sponsorship page.

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