SOS is excited to partner with Emporia State University THRIVE (The Healthy Relationship and Interpersonal Violence Education program) and SATO (Student Art Therapy Organization) for a 2-part Take Back the Night! This is a free event, and open to the public by visiting: emporia.edu/live, or by using a QR code. The virtual portion of Take Back the Night will go live on April 12th at 7 pm, and an In-Person March will be held on April 14th, at 5 pm at Wooster Lake. In case of inclement weather, the In Person portion of the event will begin in the PKP Room at 5 pm.
The first Take Back the Night was held in England in 1877, and the US joined the movement in 1978 in San Francisco. These marches began as a protest against the violence women are subjected to on a nightly basis, and have evolved into a night of sharing, healing, empowerment, and education.
Every 73 seconds, and American is sexually assaulted and every 9 minutes, that victim is a child. Even worse, only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators will end up in prison. Sadly, this crime often goes unreported for a number of reasons. Many times, victims are scared they will not be believed, or they might be harassed and blamed for their own assault if they come forward.
We cannot be silent; we cannot turn our backs on these victims, and we cannot live in fear. Please join us as we share stories of persevering over personal experiences, education about available resources, art therapy, and have questions answered by SOS staff.
If someone tells you they were raped or assaulted, please believe them. Acknowledge the experience has affected their life and offer support. Phrases like, “I believe you”, “I’m sorry this happened to you”, “It’s not your fault”, and “What can I do to help”, can let them know that you care about them, and that they are not alone.
SOS can offer free and confidential support for victims of sexual assault. We recommend getting medical attention and our Advocates can guide an individual through the court process. Our team can also offer resources for counseling, crime victim’s compensation, and aid with legal services. Our 24/7 helpline can be reached at 800-825-1295 or you can find information on our website: soskansas.com.
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