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RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL ASSAULT

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness month. All across the nation non-profit and governmental social service agencies and their advocates will be making special efforts to raise awareness about sexual violence. In Cumberland County and surrounding service areas, the Avalon Center will join others nationwide in educational and community based efforts which underscore the devastating impact sexual crimes have upon individuals and families.

Statistics show that even in our quiet rural Tennessee communities, sexual crimes occur in numbers higher than most of us realize. According to the latest statistics published by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, in 2008 there were 5,857 sexual crimes reported in the state of Tennessee. In about 72% of these crimes a weapon was used. These same statistics show that 62.8% of the victims of sexual crimes in Tennessee were our most precious and defenseless citizens, children under the age of 18. While the statistics paint a grim picture, the issue is even more shocking because, according to the US Department of Justice, rape is the most under reported crime in the country. The National Violence Against Women Survey found that one out of six U.S. women and one out of thirty-three U.S. men have experienced an attempted or completed rape as a child or adult.

April as National Sexual Assault Awareness month is steeped in years of history. In the late 1970’s “Take Back the Night” marches began in England and quickly spread to the United States. Early on, groups of people, mainly composed of women, organized related activities which have, over time, expanded to include the issue of sexual violence against men and have increasingly included many more men who understand the issues and support the cause. Through the 1980’s and 90’s advocates of the movement focused upon sexual assault awareness during one week in April. In 2001, through the efforts of a private program funded partially by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Sexual Assault Awareness Month or “SAAM” was first observed nationally. Since that time the focus of most advocacy groups has grown from one of services for victims and public awareness to programs that also include prevention efforts.

The Avalon Center has several activities planned for April to help raise sexual assault awareness. The Avalon Clothesline Project, part of a national effort, addresses the issue of violence by displaying shirts decorated by victims. Shirts are displayed on a clothesline as testimony to the problem of violence against women and children. Locally, shirts made by victims of sexual violence will be shown in several Cumberland County venues including the Crossville Outlet Center and the Cumberland County Justice Center. Avalon will be making SAAM presentations at numerous local businesses and organizations and asking local citizens to wear the color teal on April 16^th. SAAM web-based Avalon information will be available starting in April through its website at www.avaloncentertn.org.

If your business or organization would like to host a presentation on this or any other topic related to Avalon Center services, please contact (931) 456-0747. The Avalon Center provides emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, a children’s and school outreach program, professional counseling, and court advocacy support to individuals and families that have suffered domestic and sexual abuse. If you or anyone you know needs Avalon Center services, please contact its 24 hour confidential crisis line at 1 (800) 641-3434.