It's a situation that many don't want to talk about but it must be brought out into the light to protect even the smallest victims.
Sexual assault is prevalent in our community and Crime Victim Services will be educating the public on just how prevalent. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Crime Victim Services wants to make sure anyone that has been sexually assaulted gets the assistance they need. They have seen a 20% increase in reported assaults to them serving 770 survivors of sexual violence with 143 of them being children. Their services are available at any time.
Crime Victim Services Deputy Director Ryn Farmer explains, “Usually in these types of cases of sexual violence, it's someone that they know, so we don’t have many cases where it’s just a stranger that’s harming them. It’s an acquaintance, it’s a partner in their life, a husband, a wife or it’s an uncle, an aunt, a parent that’s abusing a child that they have access to.”
They encourage people to go and see their display at the Lima Mall (2400 Elida Rd, Lima, OH 45805) that has messages from actual survivors. You can also wear denim on April 27th in support.
