Letters and comments for April 4, 2011

Help Take Back the Night

To the Editor:

According to the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Crime Victimization Survey, every two minutes someone in the United States is sexually assaulted.

The statistics are staggering and chances are we all know someone who has been a victim of this horrendous crime.

What can I do, you may ask?

April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. On April 18-22 Shelter From the Storm, EOU’s Women’s Research & Resource Center and Student Advocates for Gender Equality are holding a Take Back the Night Event, which will include various activities, training and a candlelight march through La Grande.

Our goal is to encourage everyone in Union County to learn about sexual violence, steps we can take to prevent it and how to access available resources to help survivors heal.

If every person in Union County were to take just one action during Sexual Assault Awareness Month, survivors would feel safer coming forward, and would-be attackers would know that our community will not tolerate sexual violence.

You can further support Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Awareness by scheduling a Shelter From the Storm educational presentation for your staff, school or church and by participating in Take Back the Night.

For more information, please contact our office at 541-963-7226.

Get involved. You can make a difference!

Teresa Crouser

Shelter From the Storm