Help Put an End to Sexual Assault

Sexual assault is an act (verbal and/or physical) which breaks a person’s trust and/or safety that is sexual in nature. The term “sexual assault” includes: rape, incest, child sexual assault, acquaintance/date rape, marital rape, sexual harassment, exposure and voyeurism. Sexual assaults are acts of violence where sex is used as a weapon. Victims/survivors do not cause their assaults and are not to blame.

In Ventura County alone there were 141 forceable rapes reported to law enforcement in 1994. This number may seem high, but it does not even begin to accurately reflect the problem, since only 10% of sexual assaults are actually reported.

April has been declared Sexual Assault Awareness Month by most mayors in Ventura County. This is a special time of the year to focus efforts on sexual assault education, prevention and awareness. The Ventura County Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence joins thousands of victim advocates and survivors in observing this month. Our success in achieving the end of sexual violence in Ventura County will be measured by your positive contributions to the anti-sexual assault movement.

ANGELA KAMM

Ventura