Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Events in Ventura County include:

* April 6: Take Back the Night rally and candlelight march, a forum to discuss ways to create violence-free homes, neighborhoods and cities. 6 p.m. at Mission Park in Ventura. Participants will include local musician Teresa Russell, Assembly member Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), Ventura College professor of African American studies Ola Washington, self-defense instructor Roger Henngeler and student activist Scott Sundvall. A rape survivor will share her story.

* April 21: Free basic self-defense class for women and girls 13 and older. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call for details.

* April 29: Take Back the Streets, a family-oriented walk / jog hosted by the farmers market to promote peace and safety. Registration 10 a.m. at Channel Islands Harbor, 2810 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard.

For more information on these and other programs and services of the Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence, call 983-6014. For 24-hour crisis hotlines in Spanish and English, call 656-1111. Or visit www.thecoalition.org or e-mail at help@thecoalition.org.