Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Did you know that nearly 10% of women in the United States have been raped by an intimate partner in their lifetime (1)? What about 1 in 6 men experiencing sexual abuse by age 18 (2)? These statistics can be frightening, but now is the time to start talking about what you can do to reduce these numbers and prevent sexual assault from escalating in our country.

April is "Sexual Assault Awareness Month" and there are many resources widely available to become more informed about sexual abuse and violence. In a February 2013 study performed by NoMore.org, the researchers found that nearly two thirds of Americans ages 15 and older said they would find it easier to help someone who has suffered from domestic violence and/or sexual abuse if it was more openly talked about (3). Alarmingly, 1 out of 3 people in the United States claim to know a victim of sexual assault, but only 17% of men and 30% of women even discuss sexual assault with their friends (4) and these crimes usually go unreported. This subject may be taboo for some, but if we remain quiet and uneducated, these numbers will only continue to worsen.

What if you took the stand and spoke up about this issue? What would happen if you chose to share information not only about where to go for help and support, but to be a voice against this epidemic? Chances are you may already know someone who has been victimized. You may even be one of those people yourself. I challenge you to check out some of the resources I have listed below and educate yourself and others about sexual assault. You may even decide to partake in Colorado's Denim Day on April 23rd this year to show your support to end sexual abuse. Whatever you do, please do not choose silence. We have been quiet for too long.

RESOURCES TO GET HELP:

For Anyone:

http://www.rainn.org/get-help

For Men:

https://1in6.org/men/get-help/

For Teens:

http://www.loveisrespect.org/get-help/get-help

For Domestic Violence:

http://www.thehotline.org/

For Colorado Residents:

http://thebluebench.org/

NUMBERS TO CALL/TEXT: