— Submitted by Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Services San Juans (DVSAS)

Is sexual assault even an issue on our islands?

What do the faces of sexual assault look like in our community? Please open your eyes and your heart as you look at:

• The tear stained face of a 20-something woman who spent two hours getting ready for a date, only to not remember anything past the after-dinner drink until she woke up the next morning, bloody and sore.

• Or, here’s the angry face of a 10-year-old boy who was sexually assaulted in the bathroom on our local ferry.

• Or, how about the fear-filled face of a 4-year-old girl whose grandfather shattered her heart and her trust when he took advantage of her innocence.

• Here’s the hopeless face of a 32-year-old woman who is forced to take part in sexual activities with her partner that she continually says “No” to.

• Then, there is the 14-year-old girl whose face shows confusion and pain because her teacher broke the law and her heart when he used his position to manipulate her into giving herself away.

• Here is the pain filled face of a 26-year-old whose same-sex partner is using control to keep the sexual assault in their relationship a secret.

One last example is the discouraged face of a 43-year-old man who finally realized the pain he was struggling with all these years was from wounds he suffered as a child, at the hands of his religious leader.

Statistics tell us that 1-in-2 women and 1-in-5 men will experience sexual-violence victimization sometime in their lifetime. And, doesn’t it break your heart to know that 1-in-4 girls and 1-in-7 boys will be sexually violated before their 18th birthday?

And locally, over 95 percent of children who are sexually assaulted know and trust their abuser.

These numbers and faces are your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends.  And there is something you can do about it.

Educate yourself on the signs and dynamics of abuse. Then, find out about the resources available in your community so you can be ready to help. And lastly, support the non-profit agencies that are here to change these faces of pain into faces of healing and thriving.

Just ask us, we’d love to come and educate you and your co-workers, family, friends, civic clubs or worship groups.

If you are a victim of sexual assault, it is not your fault. We are here to help with 24-hour confidential professional services. Please check out our website and give us a call: office: 376-5979; 24/7 crisis line, 376-1234; online, www.dvsassanjuans.org