From the press release:
Our VOICE, the Buncombe County Rape Crisis and Prevention Center, is raising awareness during April – National Sexual Assault Awareness Month – with a variety of special events and ways for the community to become involved.
Sexual assault affects 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men. Prevalent rape myths and victim blaming only compound an issue that is not a comfortable topic for most. Our VOICE takes aim at these myths and engages the community, both women and men, throughout the month of April to give solace to victims that may be afraid to come forward and give voice to the thousands that suffer in silence.
The list of events happening in April (National Sexual Assault Awareness Month) is as follows:
Wednesday April 4th – Sexual Assault in the LGBTQ Community – Lunch & Learn 12:00 – 1:30 MAHEC. (Contact Shilpa R. at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Monday April 9th – 20th – GO LOCAL CARD – a percentage of the sale from the Asheville GO LOCAL card will benefit Our VOICE. This also supports the Asheville Grown Business Alliance and the Asheville City Schools Foundation. (Contact Robin P. at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Thursday April 12th – Get Pumped Up – a preview party for the 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event from 6-9pm at The Southern. Tickets are $5. (visit www.WalkAMileAsheville.org for more information).
Saturday April 14th – Together We Are Strong – victims and volunteers will read from this publication which highlights the strength and journey of sexual assault survivors – 7pm at Firestorm Café. (Contact Robin P. at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Wednesday April 18th – The Clothesline Project at the VA Medical Center beginning at noon bringing awareness to the epidemic of sexual assault in the military. (Contact Lynn Marlow at (828) 298-7911 for more information).
Wednesday April 18th – Take Back the Night at UNCA – a march through campus in solidarity with victims of sexual violence beginning at 7pm at the Highsmith Union hosted by Speak Up of UNCA. (Contact Student Activities at UNCA (828) 232-2988 for more information).
Sunday April 22nd – Crime Victims Memorial at City/County Plaza from 3-4pm honoring, supporting, end empowering victims of crime and their families. (Contact Melanie G. at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Sunday April 22nd – Tattoo Fundraiser from 12-6pm at Freaks-n-Geeks Tattoo in West Asheville where all proceeds from select tattoos will go to Our VOICE. (Contact Ohia at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Saturday April 28th – 3rd Annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes at City/County Plaza – registration begins at 11am and the Walk begins at 12 – brave men walk one mile through downtown Asheville in heels as they stand in solidarity and denounce sexual violence against women. Registration is $10 and Walkers (both men and women) are encouraged to get sponsored. www.WalkAMileAsheville.org (Contact Robin P. at (828) 252-0562 for more information).
Our VOICE offers a 24/7 crisis line (828-255-7576) and hospital accompaniment for individuals who have experienced sexual assault. Case management, individual, and group counseling is also available to survivors and their families at no cost. Prevention education and outreach efforts are conducted throughout the county in schools, faith communities, civic groups, and at local fairs and festivals. Additional programs such as Bar Outreach, Climbing Towards Confidence, Sexual Harassment Prevention Education, HeartWorks Healing Arts, and Kelly’s Line (Sex Worker Outreach Program) are also offered through Our VOICE.
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