It’s National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and ACCESS Assault Care Center provides services and advocacy for victims, including in Greene County.

ACCESS Sexual Assault Services Program Supervisor Marcy Webb says this year’s national campaign theme is “I Ask.” She explains that the campaign is centered around consent and normalizing conversations about sexuality. Webb points out that in 2019, the Greene County Sheriff’s Office investigated seven sexual assault cases and the Jefferson Police Department responded to 12. She describes her reaction to the reported cases.

“Those cases that are reported only represent a small portion of the sexual violence that is absolutely occuring and happening in the communities that we serve. Sexual violence is the most under-reported violent crime in America.”

Webb explains one of the overriding factors for why there are not more cases reported.

“We still live in a rape culture that just condones violence and normalizes sexuality in advertising and things where it’s not always safe and where consent is not always used.”

However, Webb adds, ACCESS believes every voice needs to be heard and there are a variety of services they provide for sexual assault victims. Contact them through the crisis hotline at 1-800-203-3488.