While SOS is reporting a recent drop in sexual assault calls, advocates warn this may not be a positive trend.
According to SOS Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Sakeena Agha, SOS has been seeing a gradual difference in the volume of calls it would normally see this time of year under different circumstances. While some may find no reports to be an uplifting trend, Agha warns that a lack of calls does not mean a lack of cases.
Agha believes a cause of the lack in the ease of access to resources, especially for college students, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While many believe sexual assault only deals with rape cases, Agha says the actual definition goes much further. Sexual assault is defined as any unwanted action or behavior towards another person that would be undermining their sexual safety.
Agha encourages anyone who may have experienced sexual assault to go to the nearest hospital, if they so choose, to have a Sexual Assault Nursing Examination (SANE) performed. SANE exams are a procedure conducted to ensure that an individual who may have been the victim of sexual assault is safe and healthy.
Agha adds that SOS and Newman Regional Health have a strong partnership in which Newman reports any and all sexual assault cases directly to SOS so an advocate may come to offer their services to the victimized individual. Agha emphasizes that once an SOS advocate arrives it is strictly the victim’s choice of whether or not they wish to speak with them and no personal or identifying information will be given to the advocate without the victim’s consent.
April is sexual assault awareness month and Agha reminds residents that SOS advocates are available 24/7 for anyone seeking their services. If you would like to speak with an SOS advocate you may contact the SOS helpline at 800-825-1295 or visit SOSKansas.com.
