According to the Violence Intervention Project, a person is sexually abused every 73 seconds. Sixty percent of those sexually abused are between the ages of 12 and 17, with 93 percent of those victims knowing their perpetrators.
Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski is thankful for organizations like the Violence Intervention Project and for the training his deputies receive so they can be more empathetic when dealing with such cases.
The Violence Intervention Project will have displays set up at three Kewaunee County grocery stores later this month with displays commemorating Sexual Assault Awareness Month You can read more about the topic from Sheriff Joski below.
FROM SHERIFF JOSKI
The month of April is designated in the State of Wisconsin as Sexual Assault Awareness month. For those who have been impacted by the brutality of these senseless acts the pain and suffering never truly vanishes. Historically the victimization of these crimes did not end with the act itself but unfortunately were further perpetrated by a culture of secrecy and transferred blame on the part of those who were attacked rather than the attacker. For many years these crimes were minimized or even justified based on the condition of the victim or even in some cases the very clothing that they were wearing at the time of the attack.
Fortunately those days are over and we as a society have come to recognize the severity of sexual assault for what it is. We have striven to provide the greatest possible support for the victims while working towards the most severe level of accountability for the perpetrators. We have opened channels of communication to those who have had to live in the shadows of victimization allowing their voices to finally be heard. One of the organizations that have been instrumental in this transformation is our own Kewaunee County Violence Intervention Project. Having personally worked alongside these amazing advocates for change, I can attest to both their courage and their dedication in the area of victim support and community awareness.
During this month of April there will be events held to bring awareness to the issue of sexual assault and to the many that have been and continue to be impacted. This year for Sexual Assault Awareness, the Violence Intervention Project will be hosting interactive displays at locations around the county on the fallowing dates:
Stodola’s IGA (Luxemburg)- April 25th 12:00- 4:00
Denny’s SuperValu (Algoma)- April 26th 3:00- 6:00
Piggly Wiggly (Kewaunee)- April 28th 12:00- 4:00
On Weds. April 27th we will be recognizing International Denim Day. This event began as a call to action after a court in Italy failed to convict in a sexual assault case due to the fact that the victim was wearing denim pants. It was the opinion at the time that there was consent as no person could have removed the jeans without the assistance of the wearer. That case was later overturned.
If any Institution or Businesses are interested in prevention education presentations, please call the Violence intervention office at: (920)388-2111 and ask for Amanda to schedule a date and time.
Please take the time to join in supporting those affected by these senseless acts and bringing a greater awareness to our need as a society to rid our communities of both Sexual Assault and Child Abuse.
