CURRENT EVENTS
As the nation watched over 100 girls and young women address Larry Nassar, the team doctor of USA Gymnastics who plead guilty to sexual abuse, many asked, "how did this happen?" and "why didn't victims speak up?"
The uncomfortable truth is that many did speak up about the abuse, confiding in those they trusted - mothers, fathers, coaches, and officials within the organization. While some of these individuals may have intentionally disregarded and suppressed the truth, it is likely that many unknowingly responded with victim blaming statements that had the same effect of silencing and re-victimizing.
In an article for ESPN, Sarah Spain explores what victim blaming is, why it occurs and why we need to understand this often ingrained phenomenon. For only when we do, will we be able to offer appropriate support for survivors and hold perpetrators responsible for their actions.
2018 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2018 KY General Assembly is moving ahead! Several bills relating to KASAP’s public policy priorities have been filed; one has already passed both the House and the Senate - Marsy’s Law!
KASAP's priority bill, House Bill 101, has passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and is now in the Senate for review.
HB 101, known as Jenna's Law, will change the age of consent between teenagers and adult; 16 and 17 year old teenagers cannot give consent to an adult 28 years or older.
New bills will continue to be filed until the end of February. For more information on KASAP’s public policy priorities, please contact Laela Kashan, lkashan@kasap.org.
SAKI UNIT FOCUSED ON COLD CASES
A newly created unit in the Office of the Attorney General will be focused solely on investigating and prosecuting sexual assault cold cases.
The unit, which is funded by a U.S. Department of Justice National Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI) grant, will include a victim advocate, investigator, prosecutor and a SAKI coordinator.
SURVIVORS COUNCIL REPORTS ON FIRST YEAR
The Office of the Attorney General's Survivors Council has issued their Annual Report. This report summarizes the work of the inaugural Council, convened to help inform policy, training, education and other efforts that are victim-centered.
SUPPORT KASAP Amazon Smile: If you're planning on ordering from Amazon, please visit Amazon Smile instead. You can choose to support the Kentucky Association of Sexual Assault Programs with your purchase by following these instructions. There is no additional cost to you, but KASAP gets a percentage of your purchase amount donated from Amazon!
Tax Check-Off: Each year, you can choose to donate a portion of your Kentucky tax refund directly to KASAP! Just check the box labeled “Donate to the Rape Crisis Center Trust Fund”. You can specify the amount in the process.
SANE/SART Training: Learn more and register
March 19-23 Hopkinsville
April 23-27 Pikeville
May 14-18 Morehead
June 4-8 Paducah
June 25-29 Williamsburg
July 23-28 Georgetown
August 13-17 Somerset
September 24-28 Northern Kentucky
OUR VALUES
We are committed to serving all survivors and working toward the prevention of sexual violence. KASAP and its member programs (local sexual assault programs) do not discriminate against anyone on the basis of disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, religion, race, ethnicity, immigration status, incarceration, age, socioeconomic status, level of education, or type of sexual victimization. All are welcome.
We acknowledge that sexual violence does not happen in a vacuum; it impacts different groups in different ways. We also recognize that each individual survivor and community member come to our programs with diverse backgrounds and multi-layered identities that affect their access to medical and sexual assault services, experience with the Justice system, needs, and feelings of safety. As service providers, we are committed to meeting people where they are and working to ensure that our services are inclusive and responsive to the real needs of survivors.
