April is ‘Sexual Assault Awareness Month,’ So Support the East Texas Crisis Center

I wanted to make you guys aware that the month of April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Nearly 2 million people have been sexually assaulted in the state of Texas alone. That's staggering to me.  As Texans, I feel personally responsible to try and get that number down! One way we can all help is support the East Texas Crisis Center. This organization helps provide services to help victims of sexual violence.

Surprisingly, close to 54% of victims don't report rape or other sexual assault to authorities, simply because that don't know there is a place to go for help. Sometimes the victims are ashamed, or feel there is a stigma attached to sexual assault. But there is help,and it's the East Texas Crisis Center.

This subject is very personal to me, and I know that especially young girls and boys, do not always tell their parents or teachers or any adult. This is very common. So, let's educate ourselves and our children, and do our part to let folks know about the East Texas Crisis Center and the good work they do.

Along with the East Texas Crisis Center, their are many agencies that will help victims and their families. Here are some of the services they provide:

• Advocacy / Legal Advocacy:  Support in hospitals, civil and criminal justice and other settings
• Family Protective Orders:  Screening and processing legal documents in cooperation with the justice system
• Crime Victims Services: Assistance in filing victims’ compensation forms
• Children Therapy: Therapy helps children with behavior problems, such as aggressiveness and acting out, or children who have been abused, neglected, have low self-esteem, stress, anxiety, family instability, difficulty with social and emotional adjustment, and many other problems.
• Emergency Shelter: Provides emergency safety for women and children escaping violence in their homes. Helps women in developing a safety plan and setting goals for their future. Assists women with counseling so they can begin the healing process and decide about returning home safely or establishing independent living arrangements.
• Violence Intervention Network Programs: These include Men’s Education Network for men working to end violence in their relationships. Women’s Intervention Network, for woman who batter. Alternatives to Violence, for those who assault non-family members.

Sexual assault can be very devastating, and may affect every area of a survivor’s life and the lives of their loved ones. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please call the East Texas Crisis Center at 903-509-2526 or click here to go to their website.

Thank you for playing a part.