Daviess County Fiscal Court proclaimed April 1 as “Start Believing Day” in support of victims of sexual violence. This proclamation aims to bring justice to victims by encouraging family members, friends and community professionals to listen to and believe those who say they’ve been sexually assaulted.
As described by Judge-Executive Al Mattingly on Thursday, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office in 2019 received 42 reports of sexual assault. During that same year, New Beginnings Sexual Assault Support Services provided 214 crisis interventions and met the needs of 223 primary and 105 secondary victims.
“Additionally, they provided 1,683 counseling sessions, 81 forensic medical examinations, law enforcement interviews and other proceedings,” Mattingly said.
According to statistics, as few as one in five sexual assault occurrences will be reported to law enforcement and less than three percent will result in the conviction and incarceration of the perpetrator.
“Research shows victims are far more likely to disclose their sexual assault to a friend or family member and when these loved ones respond with doubt, shame or blame, victims suffer additional negative effects on their physical and psychological well-being,” Mattingly added.
In response to this, an international program to end violence against women created the annual “Start by Believing” public awareness program, which is designed to improve responses from victims’ families, friends and community professionals.
Programs like these make it easier and more likely for victims to engage support services and the criminal justice system when sexually assaulted, Mattingly said.
