YWCA raises awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month by ‘Unmasking the Silence’

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- April marks Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and the YWCA of St. Joseph is holding a series of events to amplify the voices of survivors and educate the community.

This week's event, "Unmask the Silence," featured speakers sharing their personal experiences with sexual violence and offered guidance on how others can speak out and help, and showcasing masks painted by sexual abuse survivors to share their emotions.

A central part of the display was the "What Were You Wearing?" gallery, which showcased clothing items worn by victims on the days they were assaulted.

The nationally recognized movement aims to reduce the stigma that a victim's clothing implies consent.

This year's organizer and Community Support Manager for the YWCA, Jade Lashley, hopes attendees walk away with a clear understanding that sexual assault is far more common than many realize.

"Sexual assault is, unfortunately, extremely common," Lashley said. "Everyone, unfortunately, knows somebody who has experienced sexual violence in some capacity, whether they know it or not. The words we speak, the way we react matters, and survivors are always watching. It's important to believe them."

Lashley also addressed the isolation many survivors feel.

"A lot of them aren't comfortable sharing that experience with the ones closest to them because it's kind of shameful in their eyes," she explained. "A lot of our job here at the Y is supporting those survivors through that and helping them understand that there is someone who believes them and who is on their side."

The YWCA's next event in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a seminar titled "Together We Act, United We Learn," to be held on the campus of Missouri Western State University.