FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs has produced a statewide documentary with 12 sexual violence survivors and counselors to raise awareness of the impact of sexual assault on local communities and the resources available in Kentucky to help survivors across the Commonwealth. The hour-long documentary “Believe Me – Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors” will share powerful stories from Kentucky survivors to offer hope to those with similar experiences. The documentary will air during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month on KET.
According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, over half of women and nearly 1 in 3 men in the United States have experienced sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetime. In Kentucky, more than 39% of women and 18% of men have experienced contact sexual violence in their lifetime. According to data from the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, almost half of those raped in Kentucky had their first victimization when they were under the age of 18. Additionally, 82% of first victimizations in the state happened before the age of 25.
“Sexual violence is not just a local issue. It affects every community in Kentucky, and often by people the survivor knows, as statistics show that 88% of contact sexual violence is perpetrated by an intimate partner, family member or acquaintance. With this documentary, we hope to reach all survivors of sexual violence in our state, so they know they are not alone and that there are resources available to help them,” said Missie Quillen, Executive Director, Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs. “We are so grateful to the survivors who were willing to share their personal stories to reach others in Kentucky with their message of hope and healing. We hope people will take the time to watch a documentary that touches on an issue that truly impacts so many of our loved ones and friends.”
KASAP is a coalition of 13 sexual assault programs and crisis centers that serve every county in the Commonwealth. The organization is a unified voice against sexual violence and advocates for sexual violence survivors. KASAP’s local programs are not limited to survivors of rape but also serve survivors of sexual harassment, sexual assault, or sexual violence.
New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services is part of this coalition, serving Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster counties.
“We are proud to be part of this coalition and to participate in the work KASAP is doing to make a difference in our state, including with this documentary,” said Karla Ward, Executive Director, New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services. “Our work is making a difference in the local communities we serve and for the survivors who are healing. No matter when someone’s sexual assault experience occurred, whether recently or decades ago, we are here to listen and help.”
Jennifer Francis-Gehring, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with New Beginnings, was part of the documentary and says the sexual assault numbers in local communities are staggering.
“I know the numbers are far higher than what the national average says – 2 out of every 10 people have experienced sexual assault. When we look at things like coercion…when we look at things like manipulation, that number’s much higher,” said Francis-Gehring. “I think part of us, we just don’t want to see things because if we see things, we have to go, “oh wow…that doesn’t happen.” And not only does it happen, but if it happens to you, that could happen to me.”
Local centers and organizations that are part of the KASAP coalition include Lotus Children’s Advocacy & Sexual Violence Resource Center (Region 1), Sanctuary, Inc. (Region 2), New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services (Region 3), Hope Harbor, Inc. (Region 4), Silverleaf Sexual Trauma Recovery Services (Region 5), The Center for Women and Families (Region 6), The Ion Center for Violence Prevention (Region 7 & 8), Pathways, Inc. (Region 9 & 10), Mountain Comprehensive Care Center’s Healing Program for Survivors of Sexual Assault & Domestic Violence (Region 11), The Rising Center (Region 12), Cumberland River Victims Services (Region 13), Adanta Sexual Assault Resource Center (ASARC)(Region 14), and Ampersand Sexual Violence Resource Center of the Bluegrass (Region 15).
“Believe Me – Help and Hope for Sexual Assault Survivors” will air at 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 25 on KET 3 Kentucky Channel, at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 26 on KET 3 Kentucky Channel, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, April 30th on KET.
To view a 30-second clip from the documentary, click here.
To learn more about KASAP, visit www.kasap.org.