April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Its purpose is to raise awareness of sexual violence and promote its prevention through use of special events and public education. Each year in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Guardian Angel Community Services sponsors a series of events to help bring awareness to the problem of sexual violence and to assure that survivors of the crime are not forgotten.

Sexual assault often goes unreported. Many victims never tell anyone about the assault. This is not because they are unaffected by it, rather it is because they are so deeply affected. Frequently victims believe that the violence perpetrated against them was their fault. They have feelings of shame, guilt, anger and isolation. Often they feel too embarrassed to talk about the attack, even to the people closest to them.

The Sexual Assault Service Center is available to help survivors of sexual violence and their significant others. SASC offers a 24 hour hotline, individual and group counseling (adults & children), legal and medical advocacy, prevention education, and community presentations.

To learn more about the program, or to get into contact, please visit: www.gacsprograms.org

24-Hour Sexual Assault Service Center Hotline: 815-730-8984