Latest news with #SexualAssaultAwareness
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Yahoo
Erie self-defense instructor offers advice for Sexual Assault Awareness Month
You can find yourself in a dangerous situation at any moment. April is Sexual Assault Awareness month and a local safety educator showed us how you can protect yourself from an attacker. Tuesday's most important message is to always trust your gut. Erie County Community College awarded $1 million grant Every 26 seconds, a violent crime occurs. For the last 13 years, one company has been on a mission to change these statistics and make a difference in the lives of those who have been assaulted. 'I hate that we have to be defensive, but in today's world, it's better to be prepared and not sorry than not be prepared and be a victim,' said Bobbi Strong, safety educator for Damsel in Defense. Bobbi Strong is a safety educator with Damsel in Defense. They are a Christian-based company that gives a part of their profits to homes in Cambodia and India, where they rescue trafficked women and children. Erie Democratic candidates cast their early primary ballots Strong teaches situational awareness, how to prevent an attack, what to do in a home invasion, and what to do when there's an active shooter. Damsel in Defense has developed a wide variety of tools to help in all of these situations. 'This is what I call your basic safety. You hook this on your purse and carry it,' Strong said. 'If somebody were to come up behind you, it's right there. You click it in, pretty secure. Turn it on, the red light is on that indicates this is plugged in and it's a stun device.' What's great about a lot of these items is that they can be hidden in plain sight, like this necklace that's a whistle and this ring that can scratch an attacker and collect DNA. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Other tools include home and car safety as well as alarms with Bluetooth and tracking options. College women are the most targeted group, but Strong stressed that a violent crime can happen to anyone at any time. She said it's best for women and men to protect themselves every day. 'Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your gut. If it doesn't feel right or something doesn't feel good, believe it, get away, find somebody to help you,' Strong went on to say. Route 19 bridge in Saegertown closing due to overuse concerns Strong is the only local educator with the company, you can contact her at 814-882-1728 or on her website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People of Harlem react to possible Highway 221 widening project
HARLEM, Ga (WJBF)- A new road widening project could be coming to Columbia County soon. Commissioners voted Tuesday to send a letter of support to the GDOT about the possible work to Highway 221 and committed to contributing $2 million. Now the people of Harlem are reacting to the potential project. They know that, like it or not, growth is inevitable. Because of that many said they support the Department of Transportation doing work on Highway 221, especially if it makes one notorious intersection safer. 'We have one of the most dangerous intersections in the county at North Fairview and 221. The last report I received is we're seeing about two accidents a week,' explained Mayor Roxanne Whitaker. Hometown History: The Boyhood Homes of a President and Supreme Court Justice Many of the accidents where North Fairview and Old Union Road intersect with Highway 221 have caused serious injury or have been fatal. Mayor Whitaker said the intersection has been a problem for decades. 'Most of the solutions that DOT have attempted are laughable at best. And that is not being addressed to meet the safety issues that our residents face every day.' Right now there are no definitive plans from the GDOT regarding what they want to do and Mayor Whitaker said she would need to see plans before she decides whether or not to support the work. One business owner says widening 221 through downtown Harlem is not feasible. 'Parts of our downtown wouldn't be possible to enlarge or widen. Physically there are buildings in the way. And so, some sort of a detour, bypass around the town road may be needed,' said Renee Meyer Dean, owner of Red Oak Manor. AU starts off Sexual Assault Awareness month observation with 'Clothesline Project' Another dangerous location that many are concerned about is the area through Harlem Middle School and Harlem High School. There is some concern about safety if the road becomes four lanes through there, many thinking a different solution would be safer. 'I think a lot of the high school traffic could be alleviated with some sort of a plan. Again, with that Clary Cut, Fairview, Old Union, something…where most- maybe most of the traffic does exit the side of the school into a roundabout,' Dean offered. NewsChannel 6 also talked to commissioner Alison Couch who told us that right now the project is in the very early stages of planning. She added that the commission would need to see a drafted plan in order to fully support any road construction to the area. Commissioner Couch also said the DOT needs to talk to the city, the county and the school board about the project and address the biggest concerns. She added that when the time comes there will be public meetings about the 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Courthouse lights up blue in honor of abuse victims
The Erie County Courthouse gets a new look in support of Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month. On Tuesday night, the Crime Victims Center hosted its Turn the Courthouse Blue event to raise awareness and honor survivors of sexual assault and child abuse in our community. Bicentennial Tower lighting up blue and green for Donate Life Month The event kicked off with a motorcycle arrival from the Riders Advocating Against Child Abuse, followed by some brief words from some of those in attendance. The executive director of Erie County's Crime Victim Center, Paul Lukach, said the blue lights are a way to remind the community of ways to recognize and prevent abuse. Rise like the phoenix — New transition house opens in Erie 'Every reasonable adult needs to know how to keep kids safe and have the desire to keep kids safe. That is a world we can live in. We can make that happen, but we all have to be engaged in that process,' said Lukach. For a full list of services that the Crime Victim Center offers, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
AU starts off Sexual Assault Awareness month observation with 'Clothesline Project'
AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF)- April is 'Sexual Assault Awareness Month' and Augusta University is observing it starting with the annual 'Clothesline Project.' In April Augusta University displays t-shirts with messages and drawings designed by survivors of sexual assault or allies of sexual violence prevention. 'The goal of the T Shirt project is to bring that awareness, hopefully encourage action, provide support, provide resources, let survivors and victims know they're not alone in this,' explained Julie Kneuker, AU's Title IX Coordinator. Kneuker added that the event makes a big impact on everyone involved and its message is important. Fire officials warn of consequences for ignoring South Carolina burn ban 'When we have opportunities to make t-shirts at different events, we'll have students or faculty or staff come up and say 'Wow, this has really meant something to me. Every year that this comes up, it's a reminder. But it also reminds me that I'm not alone,'' she said. AU partners with one of those resources, the Sexual Assault Response Center (SARC) to highlight the services available to someone who has experienced sexual violence. 'Sexual violence happens in one in six individuals. It is it is very prevalent. And we know that's a nationwide problem. So when you look along the shirts, you'll see various messages. Some are very personal, some are pretty, you know, blanket,' said Janye Wallace, Outreach Coordinator at SARC. Dozens of volunteers showed up to put the display of t-shirts together. They vary in message and even in size, with the smaller shirts representing that age of the survivor when they were assaulted. Volunteers were from AU and soldiers at Fort Eisenhower's Better Opportunities for Single Service Members (BOSS). 'We provide community service events such as the one that we are here at today to raise awareness to our single service member categories about sexual assault and harassment prevention and awareness,' Corporal Kandice Harmon, President of BOSS explained. Seniors rise to huge challenge at one ACPSD high school Cpl. Harmon is an AU Alumnae and a sexual assault survivor. She told NewsChannel 6 that the 'Clothesline Project,' had a major impact on her as a student. 'I had the chance to come out of the Fine Arts Center from rehearsals and practices and walk down the roads and see these t-shirts. I also had the opportunity to make one of the t-shirts and something that I put on my t-shirt was Survivor. I do not like the word victim for myself because I am not a victim. I am a survivor.' She added that it means a lot to her to participate in the project now. 'To be able to step foot back into my college footprint here at Augusta University as an alumni and as a service member and as a sexual assault survivor in the military, it means a lot to come out here and to bring awareness and to bring attention to something that is so important,' Cpl. Harmon said. AU will host events to observe Sexual Assault Awareness month throughout April. You can find out what those events are and when they are at Augusta University's website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
