April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

To the Eagle:

Just as many other months are assigned a cause – April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Yes, this is a difficult subject to talk about, I know. Creating open dialogue is however, the only way to reduce the shame and stigma survivors often face in coming forward and getting the help they deserve. We must start believing that people we know can be perpetrators of this violence and take a stand to show how unacceptable it is. I am not asking anyone to set out to change the world – but I do want you to know that small actions can make a big difference.

I say this because Prevention is possible! Throughout the year we at The Charlotte House (a program of St. James Family Center) provide awareness and prevention education to the community. We address topics such as consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention – promoting respect, non-violence and safety for all. This spring we have met monthly with the middle school students and have held presentations for other grades at the elementary and high school level as well.

You can do your own prevention work with just a little thoughtfulness. I encourage you to take a moment to think about a few things: Have I acted on my feelings when seeing someone receive unwanted attention? Was that joke really funny – or was I more uncomfortable than I was willing to say? Did I minimize what someone was telling me because it would be too painful to believe? Do I really think someone can be “asking for it” by what they are wearing or how much they’ve had to drink? Did I ask that child what they really meant when they said they didn’t like playing “Doctor”?

Simply put –we need to teach each other that we should be in charge of our bodies – that it doesn’t matter how much you try and keep yourself safe - it’s not your fault if you were taken advantage of.

Challenging behaviors can be intimidating - use the table tents we’ve put up around town to Start the Conversation. Wear Denim for a cause on April 27 to protest the logic that “because the victim wore very, very tight jeans, she had to help him remove them... and by removing the jeans … it was no longer rape but consensual sex.” (denimdayinfo.org). Take the time to educate yourself about warning signs and follow that feeling of “something’s wrong”. When we say Be The Solution – that means all of us!

If you or someone you know would like more information about prevention or our other services, please call 360-795-6400 or 866-795-9381.

In Solidarity,

Annika Vik

Prevention Advocate for

The Charlotte House/ St. James Family Center