April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s campaign focuses on ways that individuals and communities can help prevent sexual violence. With recently publicized disclosures of sexual abuse in our community, the need for Rape Response services and a focus on prevention is more apparent than ever.
One in six women and one in 33 men are victims of sexual assault. Forty four percent of sexual assault survivors are under the age of 18 and 80% are under the age of 30 (rainn.org). For 28 years, Rape Response has worked with survivors of sexual assault in our community, serving female and male, adolescent and adult survivors, regardless of when the assault occurred.
Sexual assault crimes not only impact individuals and their families, but communities and society as well. Sexual violence creates a climate of fear, shame, guilt, anger and/or disbelief. It generates criminal justice, medical, and mental health service expenses, but the most damaging consequences are the lost contributions of survivors and the lifelong impact of the trauma they have endured. Preventing such a far-reaching and prevalent issue as sexual violence may seem overwhelming or even impossible, but for the health and well-being of our children, families and the community at large we must make awareness and prevention a priority.
Prevention starts with challenging victim-blaming and believing survivors when they disclose. Individuals can model supportive relationships and behaviors, call out harmful attitudes, challenge societal acceptance or ambivalence to sexual crimes and hold offenders accountable. Churches, organizations and businesses can take action to implement policies that promote safety, respect and equality. Individuals or groups can take advantage of educational opportunities such as Darkness to Light (D2L) training, teaching adults how to recognize, respond and report known or suspected child sexual abuse.
Rape Response provides prevention education in schools and on college campuses and specialized trainings to medical, judicial, law enforcement and education professionals. Additionally, we support other community agencies in their prevention efforts such as Adults Protecting Children, by facilitating D2L trainings. It is imperative that individuals, schools, churches and businesses know about our agency and where to get help, and that they participate in our prevention education trainings and other educational opportunities. An informed community is an empowered one.
As this year’s slogan declares, prevention is possible! Join us in helping everyone see their role in preventing sexual violence and take advantage of training opportunities through our agency and in our community. You can learn more about D2L or other opportunities at www.raperesponse.com or call our office at (770) 503-7273.
About the Author & Rape Response
Jeanne Buffington is Executive Director Rape Response, Inc. The mission of Rape Response is to serve as a system of support, advocacy and education to the community and survivors of sexual assault. Services are free and confidential with a primary service area that includes Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin and White Counties. Our staff and volunteer advocates are available 24/7 and ready to listen with a caring and nonjudgmental response on the crisis hotline, at the emergency room or with law enforcement. Rape Response is committed to respecting the unique needs, personal decisions and dignity of each person served.
