Sexual Assault, Domestic and Child Abuse Getting Important Focus in April

Awareness effort started Monday in Superior with commitment to support and education.

Sexual assault and domestic and child abuse are issues that continue to plague communities.

April is a month when advocates focus attention on the issue and the effort kicked off Wednesday at the Douglas County Government Center in Superior.

It involved law enforcement, political leaders, educators, and those with the court system. The wide cross-section represented the message and the need for a community approach.

“I’m from here. I was born and raised in Superior. I went away for law school. I came back in 2010 and began working as a prosecutor,” said Mark Fruehauf, the Douglas County District Attorney.

“And it was truly eye-opening to see how many of these cases there are. I had no idea growing up just how prevalent and awful these cases were in my own community. The theme of the month nationally is building connected communities. And I totally agree with that when it comes to both prevention and combating these terrible crimes it really is a community effort,” said Fruehauf.

Part of the problem begins early and far before adulthood, said Superior Public Schools Superintendent, Amy Starzecki.

“Children who experience abuse and assault are at increased risk for a number of problematic health and mental health outcomes, including learning problems [and] problems related to peers,” said Starzecki.

“Internalizing symptoms like depression and anxiety, and externalizing symptoms like oppositional defiant disorder, conduct disorder, and aggression. And unfortunately, we see these behaviors every day in our schools,” Starzecki said.

The University of Wisconsin Superior is also involved and wants to get an important message across the entire campus. Supporters want students to know they can come forward, speak up, and that someone will be there for them.

“I think it’s just a calming thing. It’s comforting knowing you have someone to go to and that the University isn’t going to turn a blind eye. That they have someone, they have a real advocate that’s trauma-informed that can help with these sorts of issues,” said Gabriel Sexton, Sexual Assault Campus Advocate for UWS.

“Just having representation in there is a big one. So, I would say most of all for the campus it shows that we care. Everyone cares. It’s something that we’re not going to turn away from,” Sexton said.

To help keep the awareness going, the month will include a number of additional events and opportunities to get involved. Examples are messages from survivors of abuse, visual public displays, and program fundraising opportunities at area restaurants.