All news
Take Back the Night events highlight busy time for Directions! advocates, staff members
March 25, 2011
Take Back the Night events in Lawrenceburg and Brookville highlight a busy time for advocates and staff members with the Support & Advocacy Services of the Directions! program of Community Mental Health Center, Inc.
The Lawrenceburg event is Thursday, April 7, and the Brookville event is Friday, April 15. This is the fifth consecutive year for the Lawrenceburg event, and the first year for the Brookville event. This year's events feature the theme "Out of the shadows and into the light, Let's Take Back the Night."
In addition to the Take Back the Night events, Directions! also will be displaying The Clothesline Project from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at Newtown Park in Lawrenceburg, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at the Dearborn County Courthouse in Lawrenceburg. The Clothesline Project also will be on display during both Take Back the Night events.
Take Back the Night is a national campaign to bring greater awareness to the violent crimes of rape and sexual assault. Join with family, friends, co-workers and community leaders to reclaim the night from sexual predators. Events are free and open to the public.
The Lawrenceburg event begins at 5:30 p.m. April 7 at the Dearborn Adult Center, 311 Tate Street, Lawrenceburg.The evening will feature inspirational messages from survivors and information on key strategies to use when confronted by sexual predators. Participants also learn how to help raise awareness in their communities about rape and sexual assault and about how to make a difference in the lives of survivors. Refreshments will be available, and a silent auction of a variety of items will be held throughout the evening.
The Clothesline Project will again be on display, as well. Originating in Massachusetts in 1990, The Clothesline Project now encompasses more than 500 communities and several foreign countries. It has become a worldwide campaign bringing awareness to violence against women. Shirts featured in the display were created by survivors and family members and friends of survivors in our communities. The Clothesline Project offers a visual tribute to the courage of all survivors.
The Brookville event begins at 6:30 p.m. April 15 at the Franklin County Courthouse, 459 Main Street in Brookville. The Clothesline Project will be on display at the Courthouse from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the day of the event. The evening will feature inspirational messages from survivors and information on key strategies to use when confronted by sexual predators. Participants also learn how to help raise awareness in their communities about rape and sexual assault and about how to make a difference in the lives of survivors. Refreshments will be available. The evening will culminate in a candlelight walk down Main Street. Bring your lighters, flashlights, and homemade signs with message to "Stop the Violence," along with a bounce in your step and determination in your heart.
Rape and sexual assault are grossly underreported crimes in the United States. Only about 40% of rapes are reported to law enforcement. Sexual violence as well as domestic violence are "crimes of silence" and as such leave victims to suffer alone in the shadows.
"You can help give them a voice," said Catherine Dwyer, Directions! Program Manager. "Stand up with us and speak out. Together we can break the silence surrounding rape, sexual assault and domestic violence."
If you or someone you know is a victim of rape or sexual assault, please do not hesitate to seek help. To access Directions! 24-hour confidential crisis services, please call 1-812-537-1302 or, toll-free, 1-877-849-1248.
For more information about sexual violence, Directions! Support & Advocacy Services, or to inquire about volunteer opportunities as a Directions! advocate, contact Catherine Dwyer at 1-812-537-7381, Extension 3470, or e-mail Ms. Dwyer at Cathy.Dwyer@cmhcinc.org. Information also is posted on the SAS website at www.rapecrisissas.org. The SAS website features information on a variety of resources, including the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), which has a hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) that directs calls made from the local area to the Directions! program.
All services of CMHC, Inc. are provided without regard to race, age, color, religion, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry or sexual orientation.
