October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, shedding light on the prevalence of domestic violence in the United States. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, one in four women and one in nine men have experienced domestic violence in their lifetime. The West Virginia Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking with a substitute mailing address and mail-forwarding service to protect their physical address from abusers. The ACP works in collaboration with domestic violence and sexual assault programs throughout the state. Participants can use the substitute address for various purposes, such as applying for child support, enrolling children in school, obtaining a driver's license, and voting. The program requires support from other agencies and organizations to ensure the safety of survivors. It is important for individuals to provide nonjudgmental support, listen, and educate themselves and others about domestic violence. The article encourages readers to show support to survivors and acknowledges the efforts of domestic violence and sexual assault programs in West Virginia.
Chuck Flannery, the Chief Deputy Secretary of State and Chief of Staff for WV Secretary of State Mac Warner's Office, wrote this article to raise awareness about Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the West Virginia Address Confidentiality Program.
April is also an important month for raising awareness about sexual assault. The Clinton County Board of Commissioners unanimously declared April as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. Every 68 seconds someone is sexually assaulted in the United States, with approximately 81 percent of women and 43 percent of men experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault in their lifetime. Approximately 1 in 4 women, 1 in 26 men, and 1 in 2 transgender people have experienced attempted or completed rape in their lifetime. More than 463,000 people age 12 and older are sexually assaulted or raped in the United States each year. More than 2 in 3 sexual assaults go unreported to police. Sexual violence places survivors at a significantly higher risk of experiencing long-term health issues including an increased risk of suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, low self-esteem, PTSD, and other mental health disturbances. Roads to Peace, an organization that provides sexual assault services, has served 115 survivors, including adults and children, within the past year. They offer a 24-hour hotline and emergency shelter for those fleeing from domestic or sexual violence. Roads to Peace has three upcoming events to raise awareness for Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month: Pinwheel in the Park on April 13, Take Back the Night event on April 17, and a denim-wearing day on April 24 to show support for survivors of sexual violence.
The article by Chuck Flannery highlights the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the West Virginia Address Confidentiality Program. The information about Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and the efforts of Roads to Peace comes from the article by Laura Jameson in the Lock Haven Express.
Elected officials, survivors of sexual violence, and supporters of victims of sexual assault are expected to recognize Denim Day 2024 and the 25th anniversary of the sexual violence prevention and education campaign. Denim Day started in Los Angeles in 1999 as a response to an Italian Supreme Court verdict that overturned a rapist's conviction. Communities throughout Southern California are participating in Denim Day by wearing jeans and denim to show solidarity with victims of sexual assault. Federal funding cuts for services supporting survivors of sexual violence crimes are expected to top nearly $700 million. Los Angeles officials and prominent figures will lead events at City Hall to commemorate Denim Day. The Peace Over Violence resource center provides services and support for survivors of sexual violence in the Los Angeles area. [a90eabd3]