April is a busy time for the counselors and advocates of WIRC-Community Action Agency’s Victim Services program as the month is designated as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Throughout April, Victim Services is hosting activities and awareness events to change the culture of silence and show survivors that free services are available to them.
To raise awareness for sexual assault, teal ribbons are on display at multiple locations in Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties. New this year, Victim Services is partnering with Fulton County Arts for a show of artworks created by survivors of assault. The art show will be held at Old Dog in Canton, Illinois from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 11. Several community leaders and law enforcement agencies will also sign proclamations for their respective communities throughout the month.
For the second consecutive year, local coffee shops are partnering with Victim Services for a coffee cup sleeve campaign. Hot beverage orders will receive a specialty cardboard sleeve that provide messages about believing survivors so more people feel comfortable coming forward. Customers who receive these drinks are encouraged to share a selfie on social media or show their friends. Specialty sleeves will be available at The Old Dairy, Bold Brew House Co., Hometown Café, Haymakers and Z’s Breakfast & Lunch in Macomb; Maddy’s Coffee House in Astoria; The Muddy Cup Coffee Co. in Oquawka, and Two Brother’s Café in Galesburg.
'Current research shows that one out of 10 rape survivors are male and one in six rape survivors are female,' says Debbie Collins, Director of Victim Services. “Many survivors suffer from PTSD or cope with trauma through substance abuse. This can happen anywhere, even in rural Illinois. We see how common it is more than most people because of the services we provide.'
If you survived sexual assault or child abuse of any kind, no matter how long ago it happened, you are welcome to call Victim Services’ hotline at 309--837-5555 to speak with a counselor or advocate. All services are free and confidential, and callers can choose to remain anonymous. Victim Services assists sexual assault survivors of all ages in Hancock, Henderson, Fulton, Knox, McDonough and Warren counties in Illinois.
A national sexual assault hotline is also available through RAINN by calling 800-656-4673 (HOPE) or chatting through their website at rainn.org/hotline/. RAINN’s services are also free and confidential.
To recognize and raise awareness for child abuse prevention, Hands Around the Courthouse events are planned noon-1 p.m., April 24, McDonough County Courthouse, Macomb; 1-2 p.m., April 15, Jones Park, Canton; 2-2:30 p.m., April 15, Warren County Courthouse, Monmouth; and 2-2:30 p.m., April 16, Henderson County Courthouse, Oquawka.
According to WIRCCAA Victim Services, last year, their office received over 3,400 calls to their crisis hotline. Each call offers counseling or advocacy to a survivor of sexual assault, child abuse or domestic violence. Agency advocates often travel to local hospitals to speak up for and comfort survivors of assault while a rape kit is performed by trained medical professionals.
WIRC-Community Action Agency (WIRC) is a nonprofit focused on making western Illinois a better place to live through its social service and community development programs. One of their programs is Victim Services, which offers free and confidential counseling and medical/legal advocacy to survivors of abuse. For more information about WIRC, follow them on social media or visit their website at https://wirpc.org/. Equal opportunity provider and employer.
