Tri-County Conquer 5k race to be held April 16 to support sex assault victims

To the Editor:

What does a victim of sexual assault look like? He is the man with two children who stood behind you for movie tickets. She is the woman you stood behind in the checkout line. He is the older man that held the door open for your family at the restaurant. She is the grandmother standing next to you at a school event. He is that boy you see running through your neighborhood every afternoon. She is the girl that rides her bike through your yard daily. He or she is your friend or your kids’ friend. He or she is your coworker. He or she is your sibling. He or she is your child or grandchild. It’s not stamped on anyone’s forehead; you’d never know by just looking at someone. Sexual assault can happen to anyone and it is through support and good coping skills that turn a sexual assault victim into a survivor.

The national statistics say that one in six women and one in thirty-three men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. What does that number mean to you? It means that you are living in the eight-county Cumberland Valley region in which 39,086 women and 18,040 men have been or will be sexual assault victims in their lifetime. What just crossed your mind after reading that? Did you wonder what could be done to stop these numbers from increasing? Did you wonder what kind of help is available to help these victims change into survivors who can lead healthy, productive lives?

Cumberland River Victims’ Services provides educational programs within the eight county region to school and community groups to help decrease these numbers. One program provided, Green Dot for High Schools, has shown to reduce the rates of sexual perpetration by over 50 percent. These programs are provided free of charge. We also provide accompaniment to hospital exam rooms and to court proceedings after an assault as well as continuing counseling services to victims of sexual assault to assist them in healing. We have a 24 hour crisis line that can be accessed by anyone free of charge. If you or someone you know is in need of our services, please contact the crisis line at (800) 656-HOPE (4673) or our office at (606) 528-5286.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. We, at Cumberland River Victims’ Services, would like your help in recognizing the strength of survivors of sexual assault. Come out and show your support on April 16th at the Engineer Street Gazebo in Corbin, KY at the 5th Annual TriCounty Conquer 5k. All are welcome to run or walk. Preregistration begins at 8 am with the 5k beginning at 9 am. We have many door prizes and there will be a massage therapist available. Sponsors include Cincinnati Reds, Old Town Grill, Shoe Inn, Belk’s, L&N, Mi Jalisco, City of Williamsburg, David’s, University of the Cumberlands, Union College, B&H, Froyoz, Grace Community Health Center, Forest Lanes, The Abbey, a&b Photography, TriCounty Cineplex, Old Town Grill, Applebee’s, Christopher Chiropractic, Patriot Steakhouse, Johnny Wheels, Pepsi, Sensible Roofing Solutions, and Brashear’s. Please join us!

Cecelia White
Cumberland River Victims’ Services
Administrative Director