It’s considered shameful and taboo, discussed in hushed voices
behind closed doors.
It’s considered shameful and taboo, discussed in hushed voices behind closed doors.
But sexual assault victims who spend their lives suffering from it are being encouraged to stand up for their rights and their self-respect at a candlelight vigil at the Veterans Memorial Building on Thursday in recognition of April’s National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
“We need to speak out for victims of sexual assault that would otherwise suffer a lifetime in silence,” said Vicki Caballero, sexual assault program coordinator for Community Solutions.
The vigil has been held in Hollister three times in the past five years, and Community Solutions hopes to make it an annual event.
Throughout the month, representatives from Community Solutions, a human services agency that is part of the United Way, have been performing outreach services to educate students, law enforcement and community members about sexual assault.
“Statistics suggest that we all know a survivor of sexual assault,” said Angela Coventry, director of safety and support services at Community Solutions. “Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity for (residents) … to create a community where survivors feel safe coming forward and attackers do not feel safe committing sexual violence.”
Community Solutions has documented 20 cases of sexual assault in Hollister over the past six months, Caballero said.
All the victims were female, they all knew their assailants and the majority were between the ages of 12 and 17, she said.
“These children knew their perpetrators and the majority were related to them in some way,” she said.
The number of reported incidents has risen since 2003, when the agency documented only 16 cases the entire year.
Caballero attributes this increase in reported cases to the organization’s outreach and education services, which has been performed by many community members volunteering their time, she said.
“Part of the reason we’re having the vigil is to thank people who have opened doors to educating the community about the services provided for sexual assault victims,” Caballero said. “We’re seeing more volunteers who want to provide more services in their own community.”
National statistics show that one out of three girls, one out of four boys and three out of four disabled people will be molested by the time they’re 18, said Debbie Ruiz, representative for Community Solutions.
Community members becoming aware of this high prevalence is pertinent to helping curb sexual assaults, Ruiz said.
“People have a myth that we shouldn’t tell anybody,” she said. “We need to let people know they have rights and there’s services here to help them.”
The vigil is being held in front of the Veterans Memorial Building on San Benito Street in downtown Hollister from 7-8:30 p.m. on Thursday. All community members are invited to attend.
Erin Musgrave can be reached at 637-5566, ext. 336 or at
em*******@fr***********.com
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