KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Lake Family Resource Center is recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Each year, in California and Nationally, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The 2014 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign is focusing on healthy sexuality and young people.

The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to help prevent sexual violence.

The children and teens of today are our hope for tomorrow. It’s important for parents, adults and communities to help set young people on the path for a healthy future and support them as they work to create positive change.

Young people face many challenges during adolescence. Stereotypes and negative messages in the media do not make it any easier.

By learning and talking about healthy adolescent sexuality, adults are able to support the teens in their lives. It’s time for adults and communities to be a resource to teens as they learn and grow.

How can we support teens during this time of change and discovery? Young people need age-appropriate information about healthy sexuality and relationships from trusted adults. The first step is to start and open and honest dialogue. Ask questions and most importantly listen.

Everyone can play a role in modeling healthy behaviors, promoting positive skills, and creating safe environments. It’s important to empower the voices of youth and challenge negative, unhealthy messages.

To create a vision for a future without sexual violence, every voice can play a role in a healthier, safer tomorrow.

Lake Family Resource Center Rape Crisis Center offers free services including a 24/7 Community Crisis Line (1-888-485-7733) answered by trained sexual assault advocates. The Rape Crisis Center also provides individual counseling, support, safety plans, education, hospital accompaniment and law enforcement advocacy for all victims of sexual assault.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Lake County was proclaimed on Tuesday, April 1, by the Board of Supervisors Chambers.

Lake Family Resource invites the community to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 23.
 
You can help us “break the dress code, break the silence,” by wearing jeans on Denim Day. For more information on Denim Day please contact Gina Pilat at 707-279-0563, Extension 203.

Gina Pilat is a sexual assault advocate for Lake Family Resource Center, based in Kelseyville, Calif.