Together, we can end sexual assault in our community. April is Sexual Assault Awarness Month, yet ending this type of violence will take men and women working together EVERY DAY.

The issue:

• Violence against women is a reality.
• Worldwide 35% of women have experienced sexual violence.
• Almost 2 million American women are victims of rape or attempted rape every year.

It happens here too:

• Last year the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan provided assistance to 277 sexual assault survivors in Emmet, Charlevoix, Otsego, Cheboygan and Antrim counties.

What you can do:

• Intervene to stop harmful behavior.
• Promote respect, equality and accountability.
• Speak up when you hear sexist comments.
• Create prevention policies at your workplace, school or community organization.
• Support legislation to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable.
• Coordinate a community event to raise awareness.
• Believe and support survivors of sexual violence.

Engage in the conversation:

• Silence helps perpetuate violence against women. That’s why it’s important to talk about sexism and respect at the dinner table, speak up at the local bar when you see or hear something disrespectful and act when something is happening that you know is wrong.

It’s on all of us to help end sexual assault – together we can!

Sources:
World Health Organization. “Violence Against Women.” WHO.int.
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs239/en/ (Accessed February 9th 2016)

Center for Disease Control. “National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.” CDC.gov.
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/ (Accessed February 9th 2016)