Throughout the month of April, organizations across the state are promoting sexual assault awareness.
Mary Corbine is the director of Working Against Violence Incorporated or WAVI in Rapid City.
She says victims often do not seek help after sexual assault out of fear of reprisal.
“People often tend to blame the victim, that’s the first things that comes up: she shouldn’t have worn that, she shouldn’t have been drinking, why was she in that area, and awareness is very important so we that we aren’t blaming the victim so that they are willing to come forward.”
In 2015 WAVI assisted almost 2,000 victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Corbine says the call for services WAVI provides has increased significantly in the last year.
“In Pennington County, Rapid City, the FBI said that we have the highest per capita rate of rape in the country, but that’s not necessary a bad thing. It’s that people are reporting- that we do have a network of taskforces that work together to support victims and hold offenders accountable. So to have us tagged with that stigma is not necessary a bad thing, even though it’s the most under reported crime, people are reporting.”
Officials in Sioux Falls are also seeing an increase in people coming forward seeking help. Michelle Margraf is the director of the Compass Center. She says because violence against women is so common, it is likely that everyone knows someone who has been a victim.
“Something I always like to tell people is just be aware of that and understanding someone might be having problems in their life that you don’t know about and always be open and aware and making sure that people feel welcomed to talk to you. Sometimes it’s as much as you hear the neighbors next door always fighting and maybe it’s talking to either the women or the man and saying, 'it sounds like a tough time right now. If you ever want somebody to talk to, I’m always there and open and ready to listen to.'"
List of events throughout the state include a reception featuring artwork by survivors and the No More campaign.
Sioux Falls April 27th: Finding Our Voices
Brookings April 21th: Sexual Assault Care Kits
Watertown April 30th: Walk A Mile In Her Shoes
Rapid City: No More Campaign