Did you know that April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM)? This annual campaign strives to raise public awareness of sexual violence and how it can be prevented. The statistics are startling, to say the least: In the U.S., one in three women and one in six men experience sexual violence in their lifetime. It’s an epidemic that affects every single community regardless of gender, socioeconomic status, or race.
That being said, while sexual assault does affect everybody, certain demographics are hit harder than others. 91% of assault victims are female, for example, with multiracial and indigenous women far more likely to be among them. In addition, sexual abuse against children is prevalent, with one in four girls and one in six boys being victimized before the age of 18.
These numbers are staggering to hear, but it helps to take comfort in the fact that there are thousands of incredible organizations providing assistance and support to survivors. They work day in and day out to help those who fall victim to sexual assault at their most frightened and vulnerable – often on a volunteer basis, with nothing but a razor-thin budget to work with.
This April, in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, we ask the GoodBookey family to support two of these amazing organizations: Hope Connection International and Orange County Rape Crisis Center.
Hope Connection International
Hope Connection International (HCI) is a recovery and prevention center for victims of abuse and addiction. They offer free support groups, classes, and safe, long-term housing. Funded in part by sales from their home décor thrift store, Deja Vu Thrift, HCI operates classes out of their Community Care Center in Raleigh, NC. Next month, they are hosting a Gala Dinner Fundraiser at Cypress Manor to raise money for their supportive housing project. In the fall, they will host an annual golf tournament at Pine Hollow Golf Course in Clayton, NC, where businesses can compete in teams of four all the while supporting a fantastic cause. HCI runs its supportive housing project and other projects under the principle that “hurting people hurt people” – they believe that helping young people through the healing process is the best way to ensure that they become well-adjusted, contributing members of society.
For more information, visit http://www.hope-connection.org/.
Orange County Rape Crisis Center
The Orange County Rape Crisis Center (OCRCC) of North Carolina is the champion for survivors of sexual assault in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, and surrounding communities. Since 1974, OCRCC has served victims with its confidential 24-hour hotline, support groups, workshops, and therapy services. They are also in the business of raising awareness, offering educational programs in both English and Spanish. OCRCC has experienced enormous growth recently, in large part due to the news cycle of sexual trauma that we’ve seen over the past several years and the subsequent public reckoning. Staff size has more than doubled since 2014 and call volume has skyrocketed. OCRCC is now focusing on improving service equity – reaching out to the community’s most vulnerable and underserved segments. They have significantly expanded bilingual services and moved from a crisis intervention model to a comprehensive and coordinated care model.
For more information, visit http://ocrcc.org/.
We’re grateful for your continued support of GoodBookey’s charity partners, like HCI and OCRCC. This April, it’s time to help them raise public awareness – place your bets!
