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The V.I. Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council, Women's Coalition of St. Croix and the Family Resource Center of St. Thomas, St. John and Water Island on Friday expressed support for victims of sexual harassment and assault in light of allegations made against At-Large Senator Steven Payne by three women.
"We support and believe victims of domestic violence and sexual assault," the statement reads in part. "Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning environment. Whereas Sexual assault is an act in which one intentionally sexually touches another person without that person's consent or coerces or physically forces a person to engage in a sexual act against their will. Both sexual harassment and sexual assault are crimes."
DVSAC said it is available to conduct training with government agencies, law enforcement, nonprofit, for-profit businesses, schools, media outlets and other organizations to increase awareness and reduce the occurrence of these crimes in the territory. For more information, reach DVSAC at 340-719-0144 or email at [email protected].
Reach Women’s Coalition of St. Croix at (340)773-9272, and the Family Resource Center on St. Thomas/Water Island and St. John at (340)776-3966.
The organizations further stated that they are "committed to working closely with communities across the territory to end such abuses and to establish a safe environment for victims to come forward to receive the assistance and support they need."
