Sexual assault is a crime driven by power and control, leaving its victims feeling helpless and violated. Seeking counseling or advocacy is often a necessity, as it’s too cumbersome a problem to overcome alone. At its very heart, however, is the urgency it requires: communities must react with a profound stance of disapproval and a sense of everlasting support for survivors.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the teal ribbon represents the vigilance required for sexual assault’s eradication from society. Every Woman’s House (EWH) is dedicated to this mission, and provides services to victims of both sexual assault and domestic violence.

“The purpose of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is twofold: to raise awareness of this social problem and crime in our communities and to have opportunities to honor and remember survivors of sexual assault,” explained Gina Patterson, clinical director for Every Woman’s House.

The issue can be a difficult one to discuss, as it’s a very intimate crime. The battle will not be won in silence, however, which is why Every Woman’s House has organized an array of activities in its honor—stirring up noise in the midst of the quiet.

“EWH is participating in the Clothesline Project started by the Wayne County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Coalition. Thus far, the Clothesline Project has been displayed at the Holmes County Courthouse. It’s also scheduled to be displayed at The College of Wooster,” Patterson said.

In addition, Sexual Assault and Teen Dating and Violence training will be held on Thursday, April 21, from 4-7 p.m., at The Pines Golf Club and Restaurant in Orrville. Those interested in participating, like teachers, coaches, school administrators and board members, social workers, counselors, prevention professionals, health care professionals, parents, adult leaders, clergy and youth ministers, or student leaders can register with Jessica McKee, community education outreach coordinator for Every Woman’s House and STEPS (Substance Treatment Education and Prevention Services) by April 18. She can be contacted by phone at 330-264-8498, ext. 238, or by email at mckeej@steps-ewh.org.

“There is always a national theme to help promote or recognize a certain focus on sexual assault. This year the theme is “it’s time...to get involved.” One of our current interns from The University of Akron, Amber Rousseau, thought that taking photographs of community members that attended the ribbon party would be a great start of creating a visual representation of this idea. During the party, we welcomed attendees to have their photo taken with a clock. Since that time, we have been attempting to collect photos of local people in order to have enough pictures to allow for creating a poster,” explained Kate Taylor, victim advocate for Every Woman’s House.

Taylor added that the purpose of the theme is to spread the word about sexual assault, and to remind everyone that it takes an entire community to fight it, and there’s certainly no point in waiting any longer. Further, empowering and educating bystanders or witnesses of sexual assault can provide the key to unlocking the taboo of this subject.

“It is important to bring awareness of this issue to the forefront of the minds of everyone in the community so that we don’t forget that sexual assault to children and adults occurs on a daily basis,” Patterson said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the campaign, and what can be done to prevent sexual assault, can visit the website at http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/current-campaign.

“As a community, every citizen must do their part to eradicate sexual assault. Citizens can help in many ways, such as reporting suspicious behavior involving children to the proper authorities, educating their children and students going off to college about how to stay safe, and creating a culture that is less sexualized and does not encourage men to overpower women or adults to overpower children.”