Community Awareness

1. Recent studies in the United States by the National Violence Against Women Survey found that 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. In Michigan, there were 5,516 rape offenses according to the 2004 Michigan Uniform Crime Report. In Calhoun County there were 400 reported sexual assaults in 2004, and 191 children were interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in 2005. This evidence demonstrates that sexual assault is a significant problem, however, further evidence suggests that sexual assault is the violent crime least often reported. In 1999, only 28% of victims reported sexual assault to the police. Please allow me to give you a brief true or false quiz on sexual assault. Sexual assault is an uncontrollable act of lust.
   False. Rape is an act of power and control and not about having sex.


2. Over 66% of rapes are committed by someone the victim knows.
   True.


3. Women must take primary responsibility in rape prevention.
   False. Men commit the vast majority of rapes. It is everyone’s responsibility to work on crime prevention.


4. Most rapes occur at the “spur of the moment” in a dark alley.
   False. Over 60% of assaults occur in, or near the home of the victim or the assailant.

I am sure you will agree that this is a community issue, and that awareness and education are of the utmost importance in the prevention of sexual assault. Sexual assault will continue to be a problem in our communities unless we decide that it is not acceptable. Education and collaboration are the key components to breaking the silence about this issue. Please contact me for more information as we join together in our mission of “Working toward a community free of sexual violence.”

2007 Facts

1. 119 Victims received crisis victim advocacy and medical-forensic examinations.
2. 170 Friends and Family Members of Victims were assisted by victim advocates.
3. 192 Children and their Families received specialized services at the Child Advocacy Center
4. CAC Services are provided to children under age 13
5. 372 Survivors of sexual violence received individual, group or family counseling by trained, masters-level therapists.
6. 19 Girls and Boys attended Summer Fun Camp at Sherman Lake YMCA.
7. Over 2,500 Youth from pre-school through high school received sexual assault prevention education and materials.
8. 50 Trained Community Volunteers gave over 20,000 hours to assist victims at hospitals, police departments, courts and the Child Advocacy Center.

ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE TO VICTIMS AND THEIR LOVED ONES.

Please download our Community Education Brochure here