KELSEYVILLE >> Lake Family Resource Center (LFRC) is recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and asks the community to do the same.
The 2016 SAAM campaign is nationally recognized and will be focused on prevention, awareness and increasing consciousness on college campuses, high schools and in the community at large.
The goal of SAAM is to increase public awareness about sexual assault and to educate individuals in the community on how to help prevent sexual violence and increase healthy sexuality and relationships.
This year brings with it a message of hope: “Prevention is Possible.” What is prevention? It is the action of stopping an event or practice and action of anticipating. Prevention starts with challenging victim blaming and believing survivors when they disclose. Individuals can model supportive relationships and behaviors, call out harmful attitudes and challenge the societal acceptance of rape. Communities and business can take action to implement policies that promote safety, respect, and equality.
LFRC Rape Crisis Center offers free services including 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 and their significant others.
SAAM was declared at the Clearlake City Council meeting on March 24 at 6 p.m. The others will be declared at the city of Lakeport Council meeting tonight at 6 p.m. and on April 19 at 9:10 a.m., during the Lake County Board of Supervisors meeting.
LFRC would like to invite the community to attend and pledge to take action in order to stop sexual assault and other forms of abuse before they start.
The center will host a Denim Day on April 27. Help by “Breaking the dress code, breaking the silence,” by wearing jeans on Denim Day. For more information on Denim Day and other SAAM activities contact Gina Pilat at 279-0563 ext. 222.
