Helping Services, Luther host sexual assault awareness events
April is sexual assault awareness month.As part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Helping Services for Northeast Iowa and the Luther College Feminists are sponsoring two awareness events in April.
Sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. at Luther College, Olin Room 102, a screening of “The Kite Runner” will be presented. A discussion on male sexual violence and masculinity will follow the film screening facilitated by Professor Novian Whitsitt.
A mock sexual assault trail will take place Wednesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. at Luther College’s Center for Faith and Life Recital Hall will be the performance of a mock sexual assault trial. Luther College students, local attorneys, and Decorah community members will serve as actors in this courtroom dramatization. Twelve audience members will be selected to serve as jurors. A discussion will follow the verdict about the issue of sexual violence and the criminal justice process. Both events are free and open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to attend.
Sexual violence is a prevalent societal issue. Approximately one out of every four women will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime. One out of three girls and one out of six boys will be sexually abused before they reach age 18. There were 915 teenage and 866 child survivors of sexual abuse who received services from Iowa sexual violence centers from July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006.
“You can help prevent sexual violence about talking about the issue with friends and family members; volunteer at your local sexual violence center; and contact your legislators to advocate that sexual violence prevention be a state and federal legislative priority. It will take all of us to end this violence,” said Jennie Hill, violence prevention educator.
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