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April 3, 2008
SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAIMED IN THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS Gov. deJongh has proclaimed the month of April as “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in the United States Virgin Islands. Sexual violence includes rape, incest, child sexual assault, ritual abuse, acquaintance rape, statutory rape, marital or partner rape, sexual exploitation, sexual contact, sexual harassment, exposure, and voyeurism. It is one of the single largest causes of injury to women and violates a person’s trust and feeling of safety. Sexual violence can be perpetrated by anyone from a school teacher to a coworker, from a religious leader to an athlete, from a date to a family member and places victims at a significantly higher risk of experiencing long-term mental health consequences, including suicide, eating disorders, substance abuse, promiscuity, low self-esteem, psychiatric hospitalizations and post-traumatic stress disorder. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sexual assault is an urgent and costly public health crisis. Gov. deJongh urges all to join in this observance and to participate in the activities scheduled for this month. There is a need to increase the public awareness and understanding of domestic sexual assault. |
