April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
From Washington Gorge Action Programs:
By Tammy Kaufman
Goldendale, WA (March 27, 2024) - “Building Connected Communities” is the 2024 theme for Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April. The focus this year is addressing social and structural factors that are essential to improving the way people live, learn, work, and play. The goal of being connected supports making choices that promote health, safety, and well-being, according to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) website.
NSVRC’s website shares national statistics that illustrate the depth of the issue of sexual violence, including that over 53 percent of women and 29 percent of men report experiencing contact sexual violence. https://www.nsvrc.org/about-saam-2024
Locally, contrary to popular belief, there is also no shortage of sexual violence in Klickitat County. Although a small county in population, assaults keep the team at Programs for Peaceful Living (PFPL) and other partner agencies busy throughout the year.
In 2023, nearly 300 hours were spent by PFPL staff directly supporting 27 sexual assault clients throughout the county. Services included hospital response, advocacy, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) exam support, protection order assistance, court support, therapy referrals, and support groups. Staff are also active members of Klickitat County’s Multi-disciplinary team, which supports SafeSpace Children’s Advocacy Center in Hood River, Oregon, that specializes in child forensic interviews for those youth who have experienced sexual assault.
Sexual assault, harassment, and abuse can happen anywhere to anyone at any time. It is most common that unwanted sexual abuse comes from someone we know, like friends, family members, classmates, coworkers, or ex-partners. This can often make it hard to recognize an awkward or unwanted experience as having been sexual assault.
Unwanted sexual contact or behaviors that a person did not consent to or was not able to consent to, including unwanted verbal harassment, is sexual assault. It is especially important to teach young people in an age-appropriate manner to understand and respect each other’s boundaries. They need to know what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like and how to set their own personal boundaries. Youth need to know what to do and who to tell when those boundaries have been crossed.
When a person has experienced sexual assault, they may feel frightened and vulnerable. Oftentimes, they will be afraid they will not be believed, or they will be blamed for the assault. It is key to remember that this individual has just experienced something traumatizing. How the first person they disclose to responds, is important. This interaction may influence them about whether they feel safe enough to tell others or seek additional help.
Listening to survivors without judgment and letting them know that they are heard, believed, and cared for are key factors in supporting them through a tragic experience. It is essential to make sure the survivor knows his/her options, allowing him/her to make the best decision while feeling supported. Acknowledging the trust they share when disclosing their assault and referring them to an appropriate agency, such as Programs for Peaceful Living, will help them decide if they are ready to take the next steps in seeking help.
Trained sexual assault advocates are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by calling the national hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Local advocates in Klickitat County can be reached during business hours by contacting Programs for Peaceful Living in Bingen at 509-493-1533 or in Goldendale at 509-773-6100. After hours, call the 24-hour crisis line at (844) 493-1709.
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Programs for Peaceful Living is part of the Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) family. Washington Gorge Action Programs (WAGAP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Community Action Agency that helps individuals, families, and communities. WAGAP addresses basic human needs, including food, shelter, energy assistance, and more, in Skamania and Klickitat Counties. For more than 50 years, WAGAP has helped people help themselves and reach self-sufficiency. Learn more at wagap.org, or contact WAGAP at (509) 493-2662 or info@wagap.org.
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