WAVI Hosts Sexual Assault Training
Local News
by
Nicole Sabbatino
last edited on
Thursday, April 16, 2009
It's one of the most under-reported crimes in the U.S., but sexual assault is a serious problem that affected more than 248,000 people in the U.S. in 2007.
During its Sexual Assault Awareness Week, Working Against Violence hosted a sexual assault training seminar to learn more about the investigation, prosecution, and the laws related to sexual assault crimes.
Gordon Decker with the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault says 60 percent of sexual assaults go un-reported, and only 36 percent of victims come forward in the ER for fear of STD’s. He says when someone does come forward to report an assault, it's important to be supportive.
Gordon Decker says, "Always be supportive of anybody that reports anything to you. Try to be non judgmental and as empathetic as you can possibly be. Just be there for them as a support person."
Decker says the reaction of the first responder has the biggest impact on how well the victim is able to cope with the trauma and recovery.