by Lauren Krakau
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Northwest Arkansas Center for Sexual Assault is hosting their annual fundraiser event.
This event used to be called “Light Up the Night,” which focused on “un-masking” sexual assault. This year the Center renamed this year’s event the #MeToo Gala with the goal of celebrating the strength and resiliency of survivors in the #MeToo era, as well as giving all those who care about this issue an opportunity to echo the call of “I support survivors” with: “#MeToo”
This event is hosted by hosted by KNWA News Anchor Nate Kuester for the fourth time.
“I have close friends that have been affected by sexual assault,” said Kuester. “Of course, I want to help people in need.”
Mercy Health partnered with the center to the Children’s Advocacy Center to meet one of the greatest needs for survivor care in our region by creating a coordinated approach to training and supporting Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANEs) in Northwest Arkansas.
Kuester said this event is a great way to allow people to be aware of the resources available.
“Because of Mercy, the center said they can now perform rape kit exams at all three area Centers—allowing confidential, supportive care in a comfortable non-hospital setting,” he said.
In the past year, the Center, alone, completed 140 rape kit exams for adult survivors in our region.
Kuester said the biggest thing to take away from this fundraiser is to know there is hope and people willing to help.
The event is on November 17, at 6:30 in the evening and is located at Peel Mansion in Bentonville, Arkansas.