By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Sexual violence is an issue that never goes away. April has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month to raise awareness about the issue. Aimee Norris, director of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Center Program for the Family Crisis Center, presented the Barton County Commission a proclamation Tuesday morning to help raise awareness locally.
"Over half of women and nearly one in three men experience some form of contact of sexual violence in their lifetimes, and one incident of rape is reported to Kansas law enforcement every seven hours, 44 minutes, 44 seconds," Norris said. "More than 5,300 people receive services for sexual assault from Kansas victim advocacy organizations each year."
The Family Crisis Center has several events planned throughout April. The "What Were You Wearing" displays return to the Great Bend Public Library and Barton Community College to illustrate that sexual assaults happen no matter what the victim was wearing. Area banks are helping create or purchase SANE bags, or sexual assault nurse exam bags.
"At these banks, they are locations to either drop off items for the bag or one bag costs $30," said Norris. "So, as you're doing your banking throughout the month, just be aware we are collecting those bags to be given to the hospital here in town."
April is also Child Abuse Awareness Month. Saylem Ryff, director of the Child Advocacy Center Program, presented another proclamation to the commission. As part of raising awareness, a fun and educational event is scheduled at the Brit Spaugh Zoo in Great Bend for Sunday, April 28. Ryff said there will be various booths and fun activities like a scavenger hunt.
"Our theme is 'Child Abuse Prevention Heroes' because there are so many people in this wonderful community who are working very hard to prevent and educate about child abuse," she said. "We'd really just like to make it known that it's simple. Some of the simplest things you can do to help prevent child abuse is teaching children proper names for body parts, teaching your children it's okay to say 'no,' things like that. We have a lot of resources and information available, and it will just be a fun day at the zoo."