Candlelight Vigil for Sexual Assault Awareness

For Immediate Release
Please post and distribute

Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA)

and

Blue Sky Bridge

Host a Candlelight Vigil

for Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Boulder, Colorado (April 21, 2008)

Candlelight Vigil to honor sexual assault survivors in Boulder County

Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) and Blue Sky Bridge, the two Boulder County organizations that focus on sexual assault, are hosting a Candlelight Vigil to honor sexual assault survivors. The Candlelight Vigil, to be held on the Boulder County Courthouse lawn on Pearl Street, is part of the Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

The theme of this year's vigil is "Strength and Prevention", and is open to all who wish to commermorate survivors, past and present and those who wish to to see a community free of the suffering caused by sexual assault.

To help increase awareness about sexual assault and dispel some of the myths that surround sexual assault, there will be a special clothesline highlighting the articles of clothing that were worn during a sexual assault in Boulder County. For example a common myth about sexual assault is that most sexual assault victims were "asking for it," (i.e. the assault was provoked by the victim in some way). And to say someone wants to be rapes is the same as saying that the people ask to be mugged or robbed. In fact, 60-70% are at least partially planned in advance, and the victim is often threatened with death or bodily harm if she/he resists. The responsibility for raping always lies with the perpetrator, not the victim.

In Colorado, research has shown that as many as one in four women and one in 17 men are victims of sexual violence at some time in their lives. The statistics about children are even more staggering with 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys will be abused before they are 18 years old.

Please join us to light a candle in honor sexual assault survivors. Help the healing and help move towards a world free of sexual assault.

When: Thursday, April 24, 2008 6:15 pm

Where: Boulder County Courthouse Lawn, Pearl Street Mall, between 13th and 14th Street

About Moving to End Sexual Assault

MESA was formed in 1972 in response to the abduction, rape and shooting of two young girls. The organization was originally called Humans Against Rape and Molestation (HARM) and then Boulder County Rape Crisis Team. In 2001, the agency's name was changed to Moving to End Sexual Assault in order to better reflect the organization's mission - "We are moving to end sexual assault and the suffering it causes in our community. Every person has the right to live free of sexual assault. We challenge all forms of oppression and recognize their connection to sexual violence." MESA staff and volunteers work to achieve the mission statement by providing treatment for sexual assault and by providing prevention education. Moving to End Sexual Assault is a team of the Mental Health Center Serving Boulder and Broomfield Counties, Inc., a private, non-profit organization.

24 Hour Rape Crisis Hotline

303-443-0700

About Blue Sky Bridge

Blue Sky Bridge eases the emotional trauma children experience during the investigation and prosecution process of a child sexual abuse case. The Center provides a safe, nurturing, child-friendly atmosphere for child victims of sexual abuse and their non-offending family members.

Blue Sky Bridge:

Ensures victims of child sexual abuse and their non-offending family members have access to support and services in a safe, compassionate, and culturally respectful environment
Works to prevent child sexual abuse through education
Empowers children to feel better about themselves

Blue Sky Bridge Child and Family Advocacy Program is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit corporation in operation since June 1996.

Blue Sky Bridge
P.O. Box 19122, Boulder, CO 80308
Phone: 303-444-1388 / Fax: 303-444-2045
e-mail: info@blueskybridge.org

Moving to End Sexual Assault

Deirdre Moynihan
Development Director

303-443-0400
deirdre@movingtoendsexualassault.org

Blue Sky Bridge

Amber Picnic
Development Manager

303-444-1388
apicinic@blueskybridge.org