April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and in our community, organizations work to make sure survivors are not alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cSexual assault isn\u2019t something that discriminates; it\u2019s something that can happen to anyone at any age from any socioeconomic background,\u201d said Amy Blackman, the co-assistant director of the Crime Victim Center of Erie County.<\/p>\n
Erie Habitat for Humanity hosts bowling tournament for local boy <\/a><\/p>\n Here in Erie, sexual assault awareness is reflected through agencies like the Crime Victim Center and SafeNet. For those impacted, these organizations provide resources and offer support to survivors.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not okay for someone to be hurting you, that you can reach out, and that we\u2019re a confidential listening ear,\u201d said Robyn Young, the executive director of SafeNet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re open 24\/7 as far as our hotline goes, so they can always reach out, call us, talk with us,\u201d said Blackman.<\/p>\n These organizations said the first step to prevention is education\u2014 learning about respect and consent.<\/p>\n \u201cHaving those conversations, making this a topic that people feel safe to talk about, comfortable to discuss, and having those conversations about consent and respect all the way through the lifespan,\u201d said Blackman. \u201cBeing aware of your surroundings, knowing who you\u2019re going with, where you\u2019re going, checking in with individuals.\u201d<\/p>\n Reducing the risk of vulnerability and checking in with loved ones are also essential to staying safe.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you think that you might have a friend who\u2019s in a bad relationship or their partner is doing something to hurt them, talk to them about it,\u201d said Young.<\/p>\n The Crime Victim Center<\/a> and SafeNet<\/a> are available 24\/7 to survivors in need of support.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n