County leaders announce effort to increase access to services for sexual assault victims

MADISON, Wis. — April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Wednesday Dane County leaders announced a new targeted effort to raise community awareness and access to services.

“Sexual Assault Awareness Month is kind of the beginning of the year in saying ‘let’s have a renewed effort to talking about this issue,’ and saying that at least in Dane County Wisconsin we’re not going to tolerate this type of violence,” said Erin Thornley Parisi, director of the Rape Crisis Center.

Through March 2017, the Rape Crisis Center provided more than 150 people with medical or legal help for victims of sexual assault, as well as receiving more than 700 helpline calls.

Rape Crisis Center officials said they hope the renewed effort will reduce the number of sexual assaults and highlight the importance of education.

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