Raising Awareness About Sexual Assault

By Shari Lachin

As we transition from winter to spring here in the Pacific Northwest, YWCA Clark County is preparing for Sexual Assault Awareness month (SAAM) in April.  The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate local communities on prevention.  This April, YWCA Clark County is hosting a series of events to support SAAM efforts nationwide. Events for SAAM are sponsored in part by a generous grant from the Church of the Good Shepherd.

According to Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, 33 percent of Washingtonian women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.  That is one in three women in the state!  Sexual assault is a complex topic and affects men, women and children.  Nationwide, 3% of sexual assault victims are men, 17.6% are women and 15% are under the age of 12, according to rainn.org.  We know that sexual assault occurs when someone is coerced or manipulated into any unwanted sexual activity.   The dynamics of sexual assault can take on various forms and affect survivors and their families in many different ways.  YWCA Clark County’s Sexual Assault Program helps survivors of sexual assault and their families overcome and heal from their trauma.  If you are interested in understanding more about the Sexual Assault Program of YWCA please visit http://ywcaclarkcounty.org.

On Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 6:30pm, YWCA will host Cory Jewell-Jensen, M.S., in an open-to-the-public forum.  She is Co-Director of the Center for Behavioral Intervention, one of the largest and oldest sex offender evaluation and treatment programs in Oregon. Cory has worked with adult sex offenders and their families for 28 years.  Ms. Jewell-Jensen has provided training and consultation to a number of advocacy organizations throughout North America.   She has also published a number of articles about sex offenders and risk management, received numerous awards for her work and has been a featured guest on radio talk shows and the Oprah Winfrey Show.  For more information or to attend this free presentation, please RSVP to events@ywcaclarkcounty.org or call 360 906 9132.

YWCA’s Sexual Assault Program will also host the third annual SAAM Art Show that empowers survivors and allies to raise their voice and create community awareness around this topic.  If you are interested in submitting art for the show, please deliver your submission to  YWCA Clark County by Thursday, April 11, at 5pm.  If approved, submissions will be on display at YWCA’s community room beginning Monday, April 22.  An artist reception and contest will be held on Monday, April 29.  Further details regarding this and other events in April will be shared on our facebook page at http://facebook.com/ywcacc.  We look forward to seeing you in April for SAAM events!