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, which is introduced into the community to educate individuals about sexual assault and help prevent sexual violence.
Lake Family Resource Center’s 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 can impact anyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, or economic status. In eight out of 10 rape cases, the victim knows the perpetrator.
According to Gina Pilat, sexual assault advocate, statistics indicate that one in four females and one in six males will be sexually assaulted by the age of 18.
Many long-lasting physical symptoms and illness have been associated with sexual victimization including chronic pelvic pain; premenstrual syndrome; gastrointestinal disorders; and a variety of chronic pain disorders including headache, back pain and facial pain.
Spreading sexual assault awareness can help to prevent a future attack, hold offenders accountable, save lives, and prevent re-victimization of the victim.
Sexual assault is never the fault of the person who is assaulted.
April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Lake County will be proclaimed at 9:10 a.m. Tuesday, April 2, in the Board of Supervisors’ chambers on the first floor of the Lake County Courthouse, 255 N. Forbes St., Lakeport.
Lake Family Resource Center would like to invite the public to attend and pledge to take action in our communities and stop sexual assault and other forms of abuse before they start.
The center also invites the community to participate in Denim Day on Wednesday, April 24. You can help us by “breaking the dress code, breaking the silence,” by wearing jeans on Denim Day. For more information on Denim Day please contact Gina Pilat at 707-279-0563, Extension 203.
Lake Family Resource Center provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength.
The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities.
Call us today at 707-279-0563 to find out more about what is offered or if you would like to donate or help the Rape Crisis Center in any way.
Sheri Young is manager of the Lake Family Resource Center’s Freedom House domestic violence shelter.