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Guest column by Crime Victims Crisis Center staff

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center is participating in Building a Better Community by sharing information and resources to raise awareness to the impact of sexual violence and advocate for change. Sexual violence is an umbrella term that includes any type of unwanted sexual contact- including sexual assault, harassment and abuse. This April, during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, learn how to take steps to build connected communities and enhance your knowledge of sexual assault, harassment and abuse. In addition, we invite you to explore how to create safe communities where everyone feels safe and supported. We’re asking you to join us in building connected communities that promote equity and respect, as our connections to one another have an impact more significant than just ourselves.

Supporting victims and believing their story is where it all begins. Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted and every 9 minutes that victim will be a child, but only 25 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a great opportunity to talk about prevention and highlight the needs of victims/ survivors of sexual violence, but advocacy continues all year. Join others around the world in showing support for sexual assault victims on April 24 by wearing denim. Denim Day takes place the last Wednesday in April every year since 1999 when an Italian court granted the appeal of a rapist and overturned his sentence after he appealed based on the argument that she was wearing tight jeans that could have only been taken off with her help. The next day Italian women showed up in jeans in their workplace as a way to protest the absurdity of the overturned sentence. Since 1999, the movement has gained international support in communities around the globe. https://www.Nationaltoday.com/denim-day/

Freeborn County advocates provide free, confidential services to people experiencing violence and their loved ones. We are located in the Government Center at 411 S. Broadway in Albert Lea. CVCC provides crisis on-call services 24 hours per day. Last year CVCC provided support and resources to victim/survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and general crime throughout our community. In 2024, we are working to build stronger partnerships in our community with local law enforcement, medical providers and the judicial system in order to provide the advocacy that the victim/survivor wants and the community needs.

Advocates can provide emotional support, help you navigate the criminal legal system, support you during a sexual assault exam, help with follow up after a SANE exam or report to law enforcement, connect you with other agencies and refer you to legal services and therapy. Contact us at 507-377-5460 or check out and share our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/cvccfreeborncounty