Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor:April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and communities across the country are standing up for sexual violence prevention by proclaiming, It’s time to talk about it! All adults have a role in sexual violence prevention, and this year’s campaign encourages individuals and communities to begin talking early, talking often and taking action.How can you make a difference? It is simple! Support age-appropriate behaviors, model healthy boundaries and speak up to other adults. You can also open up communication, share age-appropriate information with children, and educate one another. Let’s talk about it and make a safer community. Whether you are a parent, educator or community member, it’s time for you to start talking early and often to support an environment where children are safe. As a local nonprofit organization, COMPASS is helping keep the conversation going and last year served 5,466 people through its prevention education and crisis intervention services. Our organization believes we must acknowledge that rape is a public health issue, believe and support survivors and invest in addressing sexual violence. Whether we like it or not, rape happens in Tuscarawas County and it takes our community working together to address this issue. Join COMPASS in raising awareness this month and always, It’s time to talk about it!Molly MacMath, executive director, COMPASS