Date: March 27, 2008

Contact: Valerie Colvin, Community Development Manager, Walden/Sierra

(301) 997-1300 ext. 104

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Leonardtown, Maryland- April is national Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Walden/Sierra seeks to focus the public�s attention on this important issue.

Sexual violence is a crime of epidemic proportions. It can affect anyone regardless of race, sex, age, religion or economic status. The Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault estimates that 683,000 women are forcibly raped each year in the United States. Yet, over half of all rapes are not reported to the police.

In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the staff of Walden/Sierra encourages members of the community to speak out against sexual assault and remember that help is available to survivors.

According to Kathleen O�Brien, Ph.D., Executive Director of Walden, �Crisis intervention and trauma counseling services can provide much-needed immediate support and resources. We are also available to provide longer-term counseling and assistance for family members and survivors of sexual assault following the initial trauma. At Walden we provide Help for Today; Hope for Tomorrow.�

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, confidential help is available 24-hours a day, seven days a week through the Walden crisis hotline (301-863-6661).

###