By Carmen Rodgers
Elmore Autauga News
On Monday, April 28, the Elmore County Commission passed a proclamation recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. It is a month dedicated to raising national awareness about sexual assault and educating communities on preventing sexual violence. In Wetumpka, the Family Sunshine Center serves as a vital resource for individuals and families affected by sexual assault. Officials from FSC were given a proclamation by the Commission, and thanked for the work they do every day.
“This is something that takes place too often in our society,” said Commission Chairman Bart Mercer. “We have Tay Knight and her staff at the Family Sunshine Center working to bring awareness to this problem.”
The statistics associated with sexual assault are deeply troubling and highlight the urgent need for awareness and prevention.
“In the United States, someone is sexually assaulted every 68 seconds,” Tay Knight, executive director for the FSC in Wetumpka, said. “That’s devastating to millions of people. More than half of women and one in three men have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact in their lifetime. One in 10 children will be the victim of sexual abuse before their 18th birthday. One in 10.”
“Sexual violence is a serious and costly health problem,” Knight continued
According to Knight, on average, the cost associated with sexual assault crimes is on average $122,000 per victim.
“These are not just numbers, these are people. They represent families and individuals in our communities,” she said.
This year, the FSC chose the theme “Words Matter” for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This theme serves as a powerful reminder that the language we use to talk about sexual assault directly influences how it is perceived and understood.
“It calls attention to the powerful role that language plays in how we talk about and respond to sexual violence. The words we choose can have a lasting impact,” Knight explained. “When we use words that support, believe and uplift, we create a culture that fosters healing and empowers survivors to come forward.”
When speaking to young people about sexual assault awareness, Brinkley Jones, FSC Public Affairs and Development Associate, spends a surprising amount of time talking about French fries.
“I use the anagram F.R.I.E.S. to explain consent: Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific, and then we break it down with examples. If you agree to get fries on Wednesday, that doesn’t mean you want fries every Wednesday (consent is reversible). If you fall asleep before eating them, your friend shouldn’t try to force-feed you (consent should be enthusiastic),” she wrote on the FSC website.
Sexual assault is a painful reality that society must confront. It occurs more often than many realize, and you may never know who has been affected.
If you or someone you know is the victim of sexual assault, the FSC is available 24 hours a day at 334-263-0218. You can also visit them online at https://familysunshine.org
