April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and April 6th is National Sexual Assault Awareness Day. Victim Services/Sexual Violence Centers will join 25 Florida communities in honoring sexual assault survivors and their loved ones in our community.
Victim Services, a division in the Department of Public Safety, is hosting a special “Talk About It, Prevent It, Hotline Phone-a-Thon” on April 6 from noon to 9 p.m. Anyone can call in anonymously and speak with experts on issues of sexual assault, sexual predators, dating violence, elderly abuse, and available services. The hotline number is 833-7273 or toll free 1-866-891-7273. Professionals from Victim Services, the State Attorney’s Office and law enforcement will be ready to receive calls, and referrals will be made to callers requesting assistance.
The April 2006 theme is “Strengthening Communities, Ending Sexual Violence.” Sandy Reynolds, Senior Program Coordinator for Victim Services, states: “It takes everyone in the community working together to end sexual violence. We want to encourage victims who are afraid to seek help to call us. Sexual assault not only affects victims, but their brothers and sisters, parents, classmates, significant others, friends—everyone they know. The Victims Rights Coalition of Palm Beach County agrees that April is an opportunity for us to publicly support rape victims and their families and take a look at the toll sexual violence takes on our community. Through the “Hotline Phone-a-Thon,” residents can increase their awareness by asking questions and talking about the issues.”
For more information on how the public can volunteer in Sexual Assault Awareness Month events or for information on rape prevention education training, contact Sandy Reynolds or Dr. Darlene Silvernail at 561-355-2418.
The events held throughout Florida in April have been made possible through the support of the Florida Council Against Sexual Violence, Inc. (FCASV), a statewide advocacy agency dedicated to making changes that better serve rape victims and combat the devastating impact of sexual assault. Funding was provided by the Florida Department of Health's Sexual Violence Prevention Program through a grant from the Centers for Disease Control.
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