sexual assault

An Italian Supreme Court case in the 90s sparked international outrage when a judge didn’t convict a perpetrator in an assault case – on the premise that the survivor’s jeans were too tight. That outrage turned into Denim Day, an annual day of action that raises awareness around sexual assault and pushes back against victim-blaming.On April 24, University of Wyoming (UW) community members are invited to wear denim to show their solidarity for survivors of sexual assault. April is also Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Park County’s top prosecutor says there is not enough evidence to file charges in an alleged sexual assault at Livingston Elementary in Cody.

The parents of a Cody kindergartner felt really excited to send their daughter to Livingston Elementary School this year. But after school started at the end of August, the mom said things went awry almost immediately. She said, finally, at the end of October, she started asking questions. That was when her child told her she was sexually assaulted by six older elementary school girls in a school bathroom.

Wyoming National Guard Adj. Gen. Greg Porter testified in front of the legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation, Highways & Military Affairs on Nov. 2. The number of sexual assault reports is on the rise from previous years but improvements have been made elsewhere. The decision to close the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy housed at Camp Guernsey in September mid-session has drawn criticism from some lawmakers in how it was handled.

Governor Mark Gordon has signed two bills from this year's legislative session that are aimed to increase oversight and transparency of the Wyoming Military Department, which oversees the National Guard. This came after Wyoming Public Media and Wyofile reported on complaints about the department mishandling reports of harassment and assault.

A couple of bills relating to the Wyoming National Guard's sexual assault reporting process have been approved by the members of the Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee.

For the past two years, South Dakota and Wyoming's National Guards have piloted a new sexual assault response training program. The Buddy Aid training program was developed by a Major of the South Dakota Army National Guard after she witnessed sexual violence in Afghanistan in 2013. Wyoming National Guard Master Sgt. Rebecca Motley brought the pilot program to the state's Army Guard in 2019. Motley told Wyoming Public Radio's Kamila Kudelska that her own experience made her realize the importance of this type of training.

For the past two years, South Dakota and Wyoming's National Guards have piloted a new sexual assault response training program.

The Joint Transportation, Highways and Military Affairs Committee of the Wyoming Legislature is drafting three bills intended to address sexual harassment and assault reporting concerns in the Wyoming Military Department.

Another woman has spoken out against the Wyoming National Guard for retaliation for reporting sexual harassment.