CITY OF OSKALOOSA PROCLAIMS APRIL ‘SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH’
Mayor David Krutzfeldt (center) signs the proclamation for Sexual Assault Awareness Month on Thursday, March 21. He is joined by Crisis Intervention Services Sexual Assault Advocate Hailey Brown (left) and Sexual Assault Prevention Specialist Erin Weber (right).
(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) — The City of Oskaloosa has joined other cities across the country by recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Ahead of the curve, the official proclamation signing was held on Thursday, March 21 at the Oskaloosa City Hall. The signing kicks off a month-long campaign aimed at increasing visibility of sexual assault as a community issue that affects all people from all walks of life.
“Sexual Assault Awareness Month draws attention to the fact that sexual violence is widespread and impacts us all in some capacity,” says Mahaska County Sexual Assault Advocate Hailey Brown from Crisis Intervention Services. “Rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment are a widespread epidemic. Statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center show one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives. Even so, we know that the actual number of sexual assaults is much higher than reported, because of the hurdles survivors often face when disclosing an assault.”
The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and educate communities on how to prevent it.
“Child sexual abuse prevention is another big topic, not only in our community – but across America. In order to make real change, we must first confront the reality that one in six boys and one in four girls will experience sexual assault before age 18,” she adds. “But prevention work doesn’t just end when people turn 18. That’s because on campus, one in five women and one in 16 men are sexually assaulted during their time in college.”
The theme of this year’s SAAM campaign is “I Ask.” The campaign champions the power of asking for consent — whether it be asking to hold someone’s hand, for permission to share personal information with others (especially online), or if a partner is interested in sex.
“Consent is a clear, concrete example of what it takes to end sexual harassment, abuse and assault,” Brown says. “The goal of the campaign is to empower all people from all walks of life to put consent into every day practice.”
Oskaloosa Mayor David Krutzfeldt signed the proclamation in his office on Thursday afternoon. “We must work together to educate our community about sexual violence prevention, supporting survivors, and speaking out against harmful attitudes and actions,” part of the proclamation reads.
The Oskaloosa community is welcome to join CIS advocates and other communities across the country in taking action to prevent sexual violence. CIS advocates are available to provide education and presentations at schools, work places, religious places, and more. Furthermore, those affected by sexual violence have the option of utilizing CIS’ free and confidential services by calling the 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-270-1620. Walk-ins are also welcome. CIS is located at 500 High Ave West in Oskaloosa.
“April may be Sexual Assault Awareness Month, but each day of the year is an opportunity to create change for the future,” Brown concludes.
