April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The goal of marking the month is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate on how to prevent it.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, nearly 1 in 5 women in the United States have experienced rape or attempted rape some time in their lives, and 1 in 67 American men have experienced rape or attempted rape.
If you think about it, that means one in five of your friends, coworkers or family members may have been assaulted.
I probably know many, but only one has told me personally of her own assault. That was more than 30 years ago and I didn’t know what I could do for her.
Today, I know there are organizations that can help.
This week, we can help one of those groups — Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs).
The annual Champagne for SANEs fundraiser will be 4-9 p.m. Wednesday at Table 9 on the Wharf, 40 Donley Street, Morgantown.
The fundraiser is hosted by the WVU Council for Gender Equity in support of WV FRIS (WV Foundation for Rape Information and Services).
There will be dinner specials and signature cocktails just for the event. Plus, you can bid on auction items and learn about the cause. You can also get takeout.
Funds — 100% of the proceeds — are used to train nurses and provide workshops for SANEs who conduct sexual assault evidentiary exams for victims of sexual assault in West Virginia.
WVFRIS — West Virginia’s state sexual assault coalition — was established in 1982 and works with rape crisis centers and other allied professionals to develop and strengthen intervention and prevention programs in the state that address sexual violence and stalking.
Find help locally through the Rape and Domestic Violence Center, 304-292-5100.
PAM QUEEN is editor of The Dominion Post. Contact her with comments and suggestions at Editor@DominionPost.com.
