Helping Victims of Sexual Assault

Saturday, April 17th, 2021 -- 12:00 PM

(WBAY) For victims of sexual assault, the hardest thing they can hear from a loved one is whether their accusations are true.

It’s a feeling that advocates say puts them on the defense and may close them off.  “For parents and for loved ones, and neighbors, and friends of children, you need to receive that disclosure very empathically and you need to take it very seriously,” Camille Cooper, vice president of public policy at the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, said.

According to Cooper, the majority of children are sexually assaulted by someone they know.  “Children are very reluctant to come forward. They’re afraid they’re going to get in trouble. They’re afraid mom or dad might get really mad at them,” Cooper said.  The Sexual Assault Center in Green Bay is a resource for victims of any age and/or gender.

“It is so critical that the victim is in charge of the next step because that sexual assault took away that control, and we want to empower survivors,” Program Supervisor Samantha Jurczykowski said.

The organization has a 24/7 hotline where victims can report assaults and remain anonymous if they choose. Advocates for sexual assault survivors contend that victims often blame themselves and feel embarrassed.

“If someone ever tells you that something happened, you always start by believing them,” Jurczykowski said. “Less than five percent of allegations of sexual assault turn out to be false.”

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