Sexual Assault Awareness Month. by kbritt

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence urges all Kansans to strengthen their efforts to provide safety and support for victims and accountability for perpetrators in their community.

Each year in Kansas, the crime affects:

• 3,040 women

• 962 men

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation:

• 1 — rape is reported to law enforcement every 7 hours and 24 minutes.

• 78 — percent of the time the perpetrator knows the victim.

However, these numbers cannot reflect the true magnitude of the problem because rape continues to be one of the most under-reported crimes. Nationally, only 41 percent of rapes are reported to law enforcement, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2009.

This year’s campaign, “It's time … to get involved,” incorporates a bystander approach to sexual violence prevention. A bystander, or witness, is anyone who sees a situation but may or may not know what to do, may think others will act or may be afraid to do something.

Research shows that engaging bystanders is a promising way to help prevent the widespread problem of sexual violence in communities.

Here are some ways you can support victims and help end sexual violence:

• Attend a sexual assault awareness event in your community. Find an event at kcsdv.org

• Learn the facts about sexual violence and speak out against rape myths.

• Know the Kansas Crisis Hotline number — (888) END-ABUSE.

• Be familiar with sexual and domestic violence advocacy organization(s) serving your community and be ready to make a referral. Find a program near you at kcsdv.org

• Donate to or volunteer at your local advocacy program.

KU EVENTS

Kansas University is observing Sexual Assault Awareness Week — April 18-22 — with a panel discussion and candlelight vigil.

The details:

• Today, April 20 — at 6:30 p.m, Alderson Auditorium in the Kansas Union. There will be a panel discussion. Barry Grissom, U.S. Attorney for the District of Kansas, will give opening remarks. Panelists include KU students Dagoberto Heredia, a senior from Great Bend and president of HALO; Ben Pyle, a junior from Ames, Iowa, and vice president of administrative affairs for the Interfraternity Council; KU staff members Ken Sarber, public health educator from Student Health Services, and Chris Stoppel, associate director of New Student Orientation; and Shade Keys Little.

• Thursday, April 21 — at 7:45 p.m. at Wescoe Beach. Students, faculty, staff and community members will gather to read impact statements from survivors. They will stand silently along Jayhawk Boulevard as the Campanile bell tolls 561 times — the number of survivors from Douglas and Jefferson counties that GaDuGi Safe Center has assisted in the past year. Amy Price, Lawrence Police Department detective, will provide opening remarks.