April is Sexual Violence Awareness Month

Susan B. Anthony Project to hold vigil, exhibit

TORRINGTON >> Susan B. Anthony Project has organized events recognizing April as Sexual Violence Awareness Month. This year’s national campaign, “Engaging new voices!” focuses on involving coaches, faith leaders, parents, Greek Life, and bystanders with preventing sexual assault. Many groups know about sexual assault and believe it is a problem, but they don’t know how they can help, according to a written statement.

According to the United States Bureau of Justice Statistics, individuals age 12 or older experienced an estimated 293,066 rapes or sexual assaults per year. Research indicates that, over the course of their lifetimes, 1 in 5 Connecticut residents are sexually assaulted.

During the month of April, the Susan B. Anthony Project will be hosting events to honor survivors, bring awareness, and encourage people to be involved in speaking up against this community issue.

On Thursday, April 27, at 6 p.m. Susan B. Anthony Project will sponsor the annual Sexual Violence Awareness Month Vigil. The vigil begins with a march at Coe Memorial Park, showing support for survivors, recognizing collaborative community members, hearing survivor stories, and calling for the end of sexual violence.

The “Where Do You Stand” campaign engages men in preventing sexual violence. To learn more and take the pledge, visit the vigil display or the Susan B. Anthony Project website at www.sbaproject.org.

The annual “Clothesline Project”, which features tshirts designed by survivors, will be on display at the vigil and throughout the month at the Goshen public library, in the SBAP office, and online at www. sbaproject.org.

Faces of Survival, a photo exhibition of victims and survivors of sexual violence who have chosen to “break the silence” and tell their stories of survival, will be on display from April 2428 in the Northwestern CT Community College Library in Winsted.

Susan B. Anthony Project also provides educational programs to schools, churches, civic groups and area agencies/businesses. For more information, call Rebecca or Matt at 860489-3798 to schedule a program or to find out how you can help become part of this community-wide effort to raise awareness and prevent sexual violence.

According to its mission statement: Founded in 1983, Susan B. Anthony Project promotes safety, healing and growth for all survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and advocates for the autonomy of women and the end of interpersonal violence. The Torrington-based organization provides services, free of charge, in 20 towns in northwestern Connecticut.

For more information on Susan B. Anthony Project services call the 24 Hour Hotline at 860-482-7133.