April is nationally recognized as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) and Child Abuse Prevention Month (CAPM), and the Women's Coalition of St. Croix is reviving a drama bringing awareness to child abuse, which will be followed by a panel discussion on April 28.
“The people in this community are being affected by sexual violence just like everywhere in the world, unfortunately," said Clema S. Lewis, executive director of WCSC." It is important to end the silence and stigmas around these serious crimes. We have to talk about sexual violence, and help victims and survivors as they figure out what justice means for them."
According to the release, in the first three months of 2021, WCSC’s counselors provided services to twenty-three children who experienced sexual and/or domestic violence. A total of 48 adults who experienced sexual violence were offered assistance in the last three months of 2020.
Bringing attention to sexual violence and support for survivors have been key aspects of WCSC’s mission and work during for their 40-year history in the community, the coalition said. The tradition continues: on April 28, WCSC will host a virtual event, Silence Speaks, Secrets Revealed: Redux, Speakout/Panel Discussion.
“Denim Day is on Wednesday the 28th this year. We encourage everyone to wear jeans on that day as a personal style statement against victim shaming and blaming. And join us on Zoom, starting at 5:00 p.m., for a very important discussion for our community," stated Debra Benjamin, WCSC’s communications coordinator. “It’s an appropriate way to close out SAAM and CAPM, with this special community event on Denim Day.”
The revival of all 26 episodes of WCSC’s radio drama on child sexual abuse, Silence Speaks, Secrets Revealed, will start the virtual event and will be rebroadcast on JKC Communications radio stations. Following the broadcast of the episodes, a panel discussion on justice for victims and survivors of sexual violence will be held, featuring guest experts from government and other public service agencies. A survivor of sexual violence will speak, and community members will have opportunities to share their opinions and experiences during the discussion of what justice means for victims and survivors of sexual violence.
Silence Speaks, Secrets Revealed: Redux, Speakout/Panel Discussion will be held via Zoom, on Wednesday, April 28th starting at 5:00 p.m. Visit wcstx.org for more information, or call 340.773.9272.
The Women’s Coalition of St. Croix is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to support and empower people impacted by violence. Visit wcstx.org or call 340.773.9272, to find out more about WCSC’s history, their 40/40/$40 fundraising campaign and ways to join the movement to end violence.
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