April brings attention to Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, calling attention to ways violence can be stopped and victims can be supported.

According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, an American is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds. Every nine minutes, the victim is a child.

RAINN states that one out of six women in America have been a victim of attempted or completed rape. One out of 33 American men experiences the same.

Sexual assault is also a big problem in the military and within the prison system. According to RAINN, more than 80,000 inmates are sexually assaulted annually, and approximately 18,900 members of the military experience sexual assault every year.

Victims of sexual assault are not alone and there are many groups dedicated to assisting survivors.

In St. Joseph, the YWCA provides assistance and shelter to female victims of sexual or domestic violence.

Britinya Baker is a survivor outreach specialist with the YWCA. She said the organization has several events planned this month to provide education and support, including a Wellness and Resource Fair on Friday, April 25, and a month-long clothing drive.

"Just to give them ways to think about 'How can I start my healing journey without feeling like I'm a burden to someone' because sometimes talking is not always what helps everyone," Baker said. "It's different ways how to express yourselves."

Youth program manager Zach Ellis said it's important to shed light on the issue for prevention and support.

"Observing sexual assault awareness this month and bringing awareness to it needs to be talked about a lot more because it is not a taboo subject, it is a subject in which it's harming people," Ellis said. "So we need to bring awareness to that, talk about it, make it known that we are a community of support and not a community of judging."

Baker said that the YWCA has open arms to survivors.

"Even if you feel like nobody will listen to you, just come by the Y and we will gladly help you guys," Baker said.

Many counseling services in the area also provide survivors with someone to talk to.

The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-4673. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center began officially observing SAAM in April of 2001.