Local law-enforcement agencies, organizations and businesses say they are well-prepared to handle sexual assault, rape and prevention, which is in the spotlight because of Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
According to an Ohio University Department of Health Education and Wellness report, women ages 16 to 24 have four times greater risk of being raped than any other age group. Also one in four college women are survivors of rape or attempted rape. Although many cases of sexual assault remain unreported, victims of sexual assault or rape can call the OU Police Department, Athens Police Department, or Careline, a survivor advocacy hotline, for help, said Samantha Brauner, an assistant director of Health Education and Wellness at Hudson Health Center. These authorities will direct the victim to Hudson Health Center, if he or she is a student, or to O'Bleness Memorial Hospital.
Hudson has five Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners trained to gather physical evidence from the victim and put together a rape kit, said SANE nurse Terry Wilson. O'Bleness also has several SANE-trained nurses. Victims also can receive medication that can prevent chlamydia, gonorrhea and pregnancy.
Victims of sexual assault also can seek shelter at My Sister's Place, a local shelter for victims of domestic violence that offers help to women including free counseling, community education and an advocacy service, said managing director Jessica Downs.
The shelter is unique because it is licensed through the Ohio Department of Mental Health, which is uncommon for most shelters, Downs said. My Sister's Place is funded partially through the local 317 Board and the Ohio Department of Mental Health.
To prevent sexual assault and rape in Athens many organizations offer self-defense programs.
Ohio University Police Department offers a nationally known women's self defense class known as Rape Aggression Defense. OUPD has seven officers who are trained to teach the class, said Lt. Travis Potts.
OUPD offers the class at Ping Center and the department also teaches the class to organizations that request the service. A first-time fee of $25 fee gives a lifetime return and practice policy, meaning participants who pay the fee can return to practice the moves without extra cost, Potts said. OUPD also gives out free brochures and whistles to aid prevention.
"Ultimately, it is about taking prevention and giving back to the women," said Potts.
Cheryl Cesta, a certified instructor with more than 23 years of experience, is planning a self-defense class specifically for survivors of sexual abuse or assault, she said. The course, with a negotiable $20 fee, will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 12 at Homegirlz Beautique, at the corner of Stimson Avenue and Kern Street. She also has a self-defense class for all women that will be offered beginning April 14.
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Janet Nester
