The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky has joined forces with the Office of Violence Against Women (OVW) and the Department of Justice to observe April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), but despite the efforts, victims of sexual assault continue to suffer in silence.
According to a statement from U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett, the office is committed to holding perpetrators accountable and supporting all victims throughout the legal process. However, statistics show that more than half of women and nearly one-third of men experience physical sexual violence during their lifetimes, according to CDC survey data.
Women and racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately impacted when it comes to sexual violence, with American Indian, Alaska Native, and multiracial women reporting rape victimization at a rate 1.5 times the national average. Lesbian women, gay men, and bisexual women and men also report experiencing sexual violence at higher rates than heterosexual men and women.
Cybercrimes, such as the sharing of intimate images of someone without their consent, are a growing concern, causing victims to experience substantial trauma and fear for their physical safety. Bennett emphasized the importance of creating supportive environments for survivors and teaching young people ways to prevent sexual assault.
DOJ-funded programs provide valuable resources to enhance prevention efforts, increase availability of trauma-informed services for survivors, and support law enforcement initiatives. OVW and the Department’s Office for Victims of Crime grant recipients lead programs that address sexual violence and promote victim safety.
In the Western District of Kentucky, organizations providing essential services to sexual assault survivors were awarded over $782,036 in grant funding under OVW’s State and Territory Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalitions Program and OVW’s Transitional Housing Assistance Grants for Victims of Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking Program. The Kentucky Justice & Public Safety Cabinet was also awarded $2,445,428 under OVW’s STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grants Program to develop programs to end gender-based violence.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Kentucky is urging victim services providers and justice partners across the district to learn more about the federal grant funding opportunities available to further support sexual assault survivors.
As the nation observes Sexual Assault Awareness Month, it is clear that more needs to be done to protect survivors of sexual assault and hold perpetrators accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to shine a light on this critical issue and hold those in power accountable for their actions.”
Related Federal Cases
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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