CALIFORNIA COALITION RELEASES REPORT ON SEXUAL
ASSAULT
Report identifies key issues to end sexual
violence
(Sacramento, CA) In recognition of April as
Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the California
Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA) today
released a first-ever multi-disciplinary strategic
approach to ending sexual violence in California.
The Strategic Forum Report "A Vision to
End Sexual Assault" outlines the critical
need to go beyond the passionate efforts of a core
group providing services to victims and move the
fight into a much more public, community-wide
arena. A copy of the Strategic Forum Report is
available for download
in PDF format.
The recommendations and strategies call for
such things as: advocating local school districts
to include violence prevention curricula in
classes; challenging corporations, the media, and
advertisers to eliminate programs or products
contributing to social norms that perpetuate
sexual violence; strengthening the overall
infrastructure of rape crisis programs; and
including men and boys in the efforts to stop
sexual violence.
"This report sets the stage for community
organizations, policymakers and individuals to
take action to eliminate sexual assault in
California," said Marybeth Carter, CALCASA
Executive Director. "Ending sexual violence
in our communities requires us all to act. The
Strategic Forum Report gives Californians a
roadmap for contributions they can make."
The report is a product of a yearlong effort by
the CALCASA Strategic Forum, a group comprised of
leaders from the sexual assault prevention field
and related disciplines. Members of the law
enforcement community, judicial and prosecution
offices, university campus prevention programs,
rape crisis centers, parole and probation
departments and community-based organizations
collaborated to achieve the Strategic Forum goal
of creating "A Vision to End Sexual
Assault." Working closely with various
violence prevention advocates throughout the
state, the Strategic Forum identified six main
goals and corresponding strategies for ending
sexual assault in California. The goals include:
- Change in public perceptions on rape and
sexual violence
- Promote sexual assault prevention education
- Ensure responsive, effective victim-based
criminal justice practices
- Ensure multidisciplinary services to
facilitate healing from sexual violence
- Overcome barriers to prevention,
intervention and treatment for underserved
populations
- Involve men and boys in the prevention of
rape and sexual violence
CALCASA's release of the report kicks off the
annual statewide Sexual Assault Awareness Month,
held during the month of April. This year's theme,
"Speak Out Against Sexual Violence,"
reflects the need to raise awareness about the
issue and recognize that sexual assault is not
just a crime against individuals, rather it is a
problem which has severe repercussions for
families, communities and society at large.
In observance of Sexual Assault Awareness
Month, rape crisis centers throughout the state
will hold events to help increase awareness and
involvement to end sexual violence. Events
include Take Back the Night rallies, self-defense
workshops, and sexual harassment prevention
conferences. CALCASA encourages the public to
participate in the activities taking place in
their local community.
"It is important for everyone to remember
that preventing sexual violence requires that
everyone in the community work together,"
continued Carter. "Collectively, we can end
the violence and strengthen the quality of life of
all community members."
For more information, contact Traci Verardo at
619-595-4856 or traci.verardo@ogilvypr.com.
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