By Barbara Scott
Staff Writer
According to a report by the Muskie Center on sexual violence, every day, nearly 39 Mainers, approximately 14,000 per year, experience sexual violence. Sexual assault advocates across the state are working to change these numbers by bringing awareness and prevention education into the spotlight this month.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Aroostook Mental Health Center’s Sexual Assault Services will host a range of events designed to enhance community awareness of ways to prevent sexual violence in Aroostook County.
“Each time we give community members a space to talk and learn about these issues, we are one step closer to ending sexual violence in Maine,” stated Lydia Christie, sexual assault specialist from AMHC. “When we think 39 Mainers experience sexual violence each day, it can seem like an insurmountable problem. We need to teach our communities that it is possible to end sexual violence if everyone gets involved and takes action,” Christie added.
Helping to prevent sexual violence is as easy as refusing to support companies that glamorize violence, responding thoughtfully to a sexist comment, or attending a Sexual Assault Awareness Month event. Advocates at AMHC point out that we are all impacted by this devastating crime, and we all have a role to play in ending it.
“Sexual violence is a significant problem in Maine, with personal, social, and financial repercussions,” said Christie, “but together, we can make a difference. It’s time for all of us to work to prevent sexual violence.”
AMHC Sexual Assault Services events cover the entire month of April. Event dates, times and location can be viewed at www.amhc.org.
For more information regarding these events contact Christie at 1-207-493-3361.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the statewide, 24-hour confidential sexual assault crisis and support line at 1-800-871-7741 or TTY- 1-888-458-5599.
