The "Silent Crime"

."hsoy \ndocied at haly xin weaN “to weat we nex Wl ih d a] ‘nel Sn ‘ten ead Neale a be af or afl C ht! An Opportunity To Discuss The “Silent Crime” (NAPSA)—Anannualinitiative by California and other states seeks to prevent sexual violence and provide resources to the victims of sexual assault and rape, and to their families. “Sexual assault is a serious criminal, public health and human rights’ issue facing our nation,” said Marybeth Carter, executive director of the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA). “There are an estimated 400,000 forcible rapes that occur in the United States each year, with 10,000 occurring in Cal- ifornia. Yet, sexual assault still persists as the ‘silent crime,’ since more than 70 percent of rapes are neverreported to police.” Carter maintains that a key factor of reducing the instances of sexual assault is creating environments that are intolerant of any kind of sexual harassment or violence. “The social environment that we create and keeptells us what is and isn’t appropriate,” said Carter. “Together, men and women must take responsibility for creating environments that make everyone comfortable and do not send the signal that it is permissible to sexually violate another.” Carter said designating the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides an occasion for schools, community organizations and individuals to work to increase public awareness of the prevalence of this problem and to consider ways they can mobilize individually and collectively to fight it. “As an ardent supporter of sexual assault victims’ rights and tt USAEL PODER DETU VOZ CONTRA LA VIOLENCIA SEXUAL time oS a wolumteer to ON resis organization a} mone, to your deal, ate and national B Aognid that jarme lowesolerece, rape = Krvow iiss organizations, oy mo ome deserves fe. be raped 9 Foape wires the e nae RerpaTrates ‘lence inst! thera. oes “hor Pual consent. 3 Take respansinlity for ur Ore Seavality. & pont use alHeppal and/or stags Kt Someone| fe a 8 your loeal a oa, v i polity && ovr wiolemee 3 i wor proactive, etl - $7 feenee CN elas S pe our lotal, State ery & 3 ehault peates 5 tae. “ont r. FOR ine hawe been = dt et of a Sexual aSSault edther by a Stranger, ima < Aeyaintance Dhelp out we intimate, krow there 1% 2 there. Seek to > let feathers kmow you want to have Fape O programs 1” your prevention qq look af how men “are rassed ard how Sheps create 4 eviture where rape 6S possenle, 6 Support Jaws that encourage | men > oper siesty for naing 2 to fprmale tripnas ear xe foneerns the: POxL WYSL WAVE sm SIvH 19 take rape"= and oO fet, wya aNgAD 3 Sexual Assault Awareness Month provides a forum for discussing sexual violence. an authorof legislation to protect these rights, I encourage Californians to take advantage of the educational and prevention resources available during Sexual Assault Awareness Month,” said Assembly Member Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park. “Working together, we can combatthis serious problem that affects more than 10,000 Californians each year and provide the support these victims need to heal in the aftermathof this horrific crime.” California’s rape crisis centers offer support services for sexual assault survivors, as well as self- defense classes and other prevention activities. A listing of the centers, as well as information on Sexual Assault Awareness Month, can be found at www.calcasa.org.