“You Make the Difference” Forum on Sexual Assault
MEMPHIS, TN – Every two minutes, someone in the United States is sexually assaulted. In just 120 seconds, someone’s life is changed forever by a tragic and traumatic occurrence. High Calling for Women, Inc., is hosting an event to shed light on this growing issue and its impact on victims. The “You Make the Difference” community forum will take place Saturday, February 27, from 1 -3 pm at the Cordova Community Center located at 1017 Sanga Rd.�
“This forum is a call to action for the entire community,” said Christy Poindexter, Founder of High Calling for Women. “If you’ve ever had questions about sexual abuse, want to know how to support someone who has experienced abuse, or would like to understand how you can help prevent abuse, this is a great opportunity to learn the facts.“
Faith and community leaders will be on hand as well as representatives from MSARC, the Shelby County Sherriff’s Department and professionals who work with sexual assault victims. The afternoon will include information about the many forms of sexual abuse and its prevalence, a panel discussion, Q & A session and Poindexter will share her testimony as a survivor of sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse is any form of non-consensual physical contact. It includes rape, molestation, or any sexual conduct with a person who lacks the mental capacity to exercise consent. About 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys will face some form of sexual abuse by their eighteenth birthday. Additionally, about 47 percent of known acquaintances who commit sexual abuse are family members. According to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) 60 percent of rapes/sexual assaults are not reported to the police, according to a statistical average of the past five years. Those rapists, of course, never spend a day in prison. Factoring in unreported rapes, only about six percent of rapists ever serve a day in jail.
“It’s really staggering and disturbing to know that nearly half of all reported sexual abuse acts are at the hands of family members,” Poindexter said. “In turn, victims are made to carry the shame and burden of their family’s taboo secrets. The more informed the community is, the better equipped we will be to guard against sexual abuse and identify the signs of it when it occurs.”
High Calling for Women, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that counsels victims of sexual abuse as well as educates and informs the community on the dangers of molestation, sexual predators, pedophiles, date rape and sexual assault. For more information, please visit www.highcallingforwomen.com.
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