Sexaul Assualt Awareness Month nearing an end

A couple of events this weekend will wrap up activities for “Sexual Assault Awareness Month” in the state. The events throughout this month have included walks, vigils and “Take Back the Night” rallies. Nancy Tyson of the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault says the events are all designed to raise awareness of the issue.Tyson says you can help by getting into the discussion. She says you should educate your children, co-workers and talk about the issue so it isn’t a “hush, hush” subject. Records from 2000 show 13 to 17-year-old women are most often victims, followed by 18 to 20-year-olds. Tyson says that’s just the people who report the crime, and there are likely many more who remain silent.Victims often don’t report the crime for fear of being victimized again by police or the hospital, or out of fear the attacker will come back. Tyson says an open discussion on the issue can help get rid of the stigma surrounding sexual assault.