SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and according to RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, someone is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds in the United States.
What You Need To Know
- Someone is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds in the U.S. according to RAINN
- Unlike other crimes, sexual assault victims/survivors are often doubted
- Anyone who needs help may call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-hope (4673)
Kayla Cash, a survivor in Ohio, is using her experience to help others through a national campaign, Start by Believing.
“The opportunity gave me chances to heal, and it made me stronger as a person,” said Cash.
Cash started working with the Start by Believing organization last year.
As a survivor of sexual assault, Cash felt like people didn’t believe her when she spoke out.
“When I first came forward about half of my family didn’t want to believe me.”
She said her experience isn’t unique.
“Often times, the first response is, ‘Are you sure?’ Or, ‘Is that really what happened?’ Just general disbelief,” she said. “This organization is aimed at changing that to, ‘I believe you. I trust you. How can I help you?’”
Start by Believing is a nationwide effort for people to show their support for survivors. People can sign a pledge or post a photo sharing that they will listen and believe someone when they come to them for help.
The Summit County Prosecutors Office takes part in the campaign.
“Unlike other types of crimes, victims/survivors of sexual violence are often doubted and blamed when they disclose what happened to them,” the office said. “These reactions can increase the trauma victims experience, and decrease the likelihood they will report the crime or seek medical assistance. When sexual assaults go unreported, offenders are not held accountable for their crimes. Unfortunately, research shows that rapists attack an average of six times. This is a very scary consequence for not supporting and believing victims/survivors. That way if someone you know experiences this they know they can come forward to you. It helps them realize that they aren’t alone and it gives them the opportunity to come forward.”
Start by Believing said less than one out of five survivors actually report their assault, but through Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the campaign, Cash wants this message to get out to those survivors.
“I want them to know they aren’t alone, when I came forward I felt very alone,” said Cash, “It really changed the way I healed to hear that ‘I believe you’ for the first time.”
People may get help 24/7 from the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-hope (4673) or to learn about how to help others visit https://www.startbybelieving.org/.
