Sexual assault awareness is an important topic

To The Eagle:

April is designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Sexual assault has been getting a lot of attention lately, from college campuses to the military to the nation’s capital and even on the popular PBS series “Downton Abbey.” I hope this attention will start a much needed conversation about sexual assault in our communities and homes.

This is an issue that should concern all of us because any of us or our family members can be victims or perpetrators. According to President Barack Obama, “Sexual assault is an affront to our basic decency and humanity.”

We need to begin the conversation about consent and respect to change the culture that breeds an environment ripe for assaults. Everyone needs to examine his or her own behaviors and attitudes to be part of the solution.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, every two minutes, an American is sexually assaulted. We should be shocked by this. This isn’t something that happens occasionally. It’s happening all the time. Many victims don’t report these crimes, so instances could be much higher than we know.

It’s happening in private homes, on college campuses, within military bases and in workplaces. It isn’t just happening to women, either; men can also be victims of sexual assault. One in four women and one in six men are sexually assaulted by the time they’re 18. Think about those numbers – how many of your family members are likely to have been assaulted?

Sexual assault isn’t usually a random crime – two-thirds of sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim. Friends, acquaintances, dates, classmates and co-workers can be involved. It isn’t the “stranger danger” situation that we so often see on television. It hits a lot closer to home, but that means we have the power to change the situation.

Incidents of sexual assault among young women 14 to 24 are on the rise. Those young women are our daughters, granddaughters, sisters, nieces and friends. We owe it to all of our young people to start talking about what it means to respect each other.

St. James Family Center/The Charlotte House is Wahkiakum County’s Community Sexual Assault Program. If you or someone you know would like more information on this topic or the services we provide, please call us at 360-795-6400 or toll free at 1-866-795-9381. All our services are free and confidential.

Susan Schillios, Prevention Coordinator

St. James Family Center/The Charlotte House