Several groups will lead a rally in Laramie this week to combat rape culture. The event called Take Back the Night will incorporate music, dance and poetry to raise awareness about sexual assault and support survivors.
In Wyoming, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 10 men have been sexually assaulted. UW’s STOP Violence Program Coordinator, Megan Selheim is one of the event’s organizers. She says that sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes--often because the victim feels shame about the attack. Selheim says reducing the stigma on sexual assault will help reduce incidence of this crime.
“We need to create an environment where victims are comfortable reporting to law enforcement,” Selheim says, “because that’s the first step in taking someone to trial and putting them in jail.”
Selheim says that victims of sexual assault should report the crime to the police or an advocacy group and get a medical examination.
Take Back the Night begins at 7 pm Thursday, April 18th, at UW’s Simpson Plaza.