Sexual assault, child abuse awareness efforts begin

April 02--BLOOMINGTON -- One in six women and one in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetimes, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

To raise awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities about prevention, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

April also is National Child Abuse Awareness Month.

Both awareness-building efforts will be fueled with events in Bloomington-Normal.

YWCA McLean County Stepping Stones, McLean County's rape crisis center, will kick off Sexual Assault Awareness Month at 11 a.m. Monday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the west steps of the McLean County Museum of History, 200 N. Main St., Bloomington.

Speakers will include Gabe Cripe, Stepping Stones director of community outreach; Bloomington Alderman Karen Schmidt; McLean County State's Attorney Jason Chambers; and Sgt. Rob Cherry of the Normal Police Department.

"We hope our events during the month of April can start conversations among members of our community," said Hilary Pacha, YWCA senior director of prevention and empowerment service.

Other Sexual Assault Awareness Month events include:

* One Community, One Mission -- End Victim Blaming, 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Normal Theater, 209 North St., Normal. This free event, sponsored by Normal police and the McLean County state's attorney's office, includes the debut of a five-minute public service announcement followed by questions and answers.

* Songs for the Strong, beginning with happy hour at 5 p.m. Friday and live music at 8 p.m. at nightshop, 517 N. Main St., Bloomington. Entry fee is $5 and donations for Stepping Stones will be taken throughout the evening.

* The annual Walk a Mile in Her Shoes beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday in Uptown Circle, Normal. Men are encouraged to walk in women's high-heel shoes to raise awareness about sexual violence and improve gender relationships and appreciation for women's experiences. Registration is free and may be completed at www.ywcamclean.org/walkamile2018.

To bring awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, The Child Protection Network on Monday will place 481 blue pinwheels outside the McLean County Museum of History and the Children's Discovery Museum, 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal.

Each pinwheel represents a child served by Children's Advocacy Center in McLean, Livingston and DeWitt counties or a foster child in McLean County served by a court-appointed special advocate. The goal is to bring awareness to a problem that is an under-reported crime, the Child Protection Network said.

In addition, blue ribbons will be placed around the McLean County Law and Justice Center in downtown Bloomington.

Follow Paul Swiech on Twitter: @pg_swiech

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