by Kelly Miller
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark.–April is sexual assault awareness month and local organizations are planning several events to educate the public. The campaign for awareness will be spearheaded by STAR Central, the office of support, training, advocacy, resources for sexual violence, and the RESPECT program, RAPE EDUCATION BY PEERS ENCOURAGING CONSCIOUS THOUGHT.
Madison Brooks, a graduate assistant at STAR Central, said while they work against sexual assault all year, this month aims for extra public exposure to educate the public on the issue and provide resources for people who need the help. Research from a 2015 study indicates that about 10% of men are estimated to be perpetrators of sexual assault, but Brooks said that sexual assault is still a problem because those perpetrators don’t get reported.
“It is a big fear of victims that they are not believed and that is one of the number one reasons they don’t come forward,” said Brooks. She said that it’s important for victims to understand that they have resources on campus, that they matter, and that they are believed.
“Unfortunately in the world we live in victims are not always believed for whatever reason, no matter who the assailant is. We at STAR Central and RESPECT…..we are working to change…to change the narrative,” said Brooks.
STAR Central provides services to sexual assault survivors for free and promise confidentiality.