The gang rape of a teenage girl in Richmond, Calif. -- witnessed by dozens but reported by no one -- gives special urgency to an appeal by a well-known but perhaps tragically underused local agency.
It's the Sexual Assault Response Center and Crime Victim Service Center.
"We are trying to increase our outreach efforts to the community without increasing our costs," said JoDee Garretson, executive director.
The reasons are obvious: Money's getting tighter for all public agencies, all of them
worthy.
Garretson says sexual abuse and rape are prevalent, with one in three females and one in four males being sexually abused.
"We know there are many victims in our community who would benefit from services," she said.
Those include confidential 24-hour crisis intervention, medical and legal advocacy, support groups and counseling at no cost.
To spread the word, Garretson has sent out fliers for posting on bulletin boards at area businesses or other institutions.
The fliers promise confidentiality and include tear-off strips at the bottom that list phone numbers for the Sexual Assault Response Center (374-5391 or 888-846-RAPE) and Crime Victim Service Center (374-0130 or 888-9-VICTIM).
If you'd like a flier, call
374-5391.
There's another number
to remember.
It's 911.
Witnesses are finally coming forward, almost two weeks after the rape of the 15-year-old California girl on the grounds of her high school after the homecoming dance.
For 2 1/2 hours she was raped by a gang of about 10 boys while another 20 or more watched and did nothing.
Arrests have been made, but this girl has been brutalized beyond the capacity of the justice system to make it right.
So if you think someone is being sexually abused or have been yourself, call one of the numbers above. Any of them.
And if you see a crime, in the name of decency, call 911.
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Fight against domestic violence requires men's participation
Fight against domestic violence requires men's participation
We have a new executive director. He's a man. I can guess what your next comment might be. "That's great! I bet he'll be able to reach a lot of people you haven't been able to reach before."
At that point I'm never quite sure what to say next, though a number of people have said similar things.
My mind is busy working over the idea that there are people who haven't been receptive to the message that domestic violence and violence against women is not OK, and that no one deserves to be abused.
U.S. redefines rape; adds men, others as victims
U.S. redefines rape; adds men, others as victims
WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration Friday expanded the FBI's more than 8-decade-old definition of rape to count men as victims for the first time and to drop the requirement that victims must have physically resisted their attackers.
The new definition will increase the number of people counted as rape victims in FBI statistics, but it will not change federal or state laws or alter charges or prosecutions. It's an important shift because lawmakers and policymakers use crime statistics to allocate money and other resources for prevention and victim assistance.
A sexual assault victim advocate in the Tri-Cities championed the change, saying it might help more men or boys who used to feel they couldn't express their concerns or feelings about being raped.
Day in court
Day in court
Successful prosecution of sexual assault cases is very difficult for varied reasons; often there is little physical evidence; in most cases the offender is known by the victim which complicates many factors; the jury may have a difficult time believing the horrendous acts that community members subject on others.
The Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's Office deserves to be recognized for the successful prosecution of three recent sexual assault cases: Vance Baker, convicted of two counts of child molestation in the first degree and one count of child molestation in the second degree, sentenced to 10 years, prosecuted by Anita Petra; Patrick Gale Wilson guilty of first-degree child rape, prosecuted by Anita Petra; and Cody Kloepper guilty of first degree rape, second degree assault and first degree burglary, sentenced to 24 years, prosecuted by Terry Bloor.
For many victims having their day in court is an important step in their healing process, even if a conviction is not won. They want to be heard
Benton City man jailed for first-,second-degree rape of child
Benton City man jailed for first-,second-degree rape of child
KENNEWICK -- A 60-year-old man is behind bars on $500,000 bail on allegations he sexually assaulted a girl for more than six years, grooming her to eventually have sex.
James Robert Wirrell of Benton City pleaded innocent to one count each of first- and second-degree rape of a child.
Both charges include the aggravating circumstance that he used his position of trust and that the crime was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse.
Benton City man jailed for rape of child
Benton City man jailed for rape of child
BENTON CITY — A 60-year-old man is behind bars on $500,000 bail on allegations he sexually assaulted a girl for more than six years, grooming her to eventually have sex.
James Robert Wirrell of Benton City pleaded innocent to one count each of first- and second-degree rape of a child.
Both charges include the aggravating circumstance that he used his position of trust and that the crime was part of an ongoing pattern of sexual abuse.
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