The following article is courtesy of the Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth (a.k.a. G.U.P.P.Y.) Topics and statistics are from the Green County Youth Risk Behaviors Survey (YRBS) that Green County School Districts participated in 2006. For further information about G.U.P.P.Y., contact the Green County UWEX office at 328-9440.
MONROE - Sexual Assault Recovery Program has been serving victims of sexual assault in Green County since 2003. In the past five years, the program has focused on medical, psychological, legal and financial advocacy for sexual assault victims. By the fall of 2007, the program took a new lead and expanded its service description. The director of SARP, Pennie Meyers, states that the new services of the program are vital for a safer, more peaceful Green County.
"The number of sexual assault victims that we have responded to has doubled in 2007 compared to the 2006 statistics," said Meyers. "Most of the victims that we worked with were minor, female victims, and we decided that we should do something immediately to protect our children and teenagers in Green County from the peril of sexual assault."
The program developed a prevention curriculum immediately and contacted local area schools to start training Green County children and youth about the risks, protective factors, prevention and intervention of sexual assault. So far all the schools that SARP presented in have been very pleased and satisfied with the program's curriculum.
"We tried to use a clear and easily understandable training language that fits with the cognitive and emotional developmental characteristics of adolescents" says Pennie Meyers. "SAR trainers have professional background in working with children and teenagers and that makes a big difference," she continues.
The program is willing to implement the prevention and awareness activities in the community with adult audience through collaborating with local businesses and organizations.
The next awareness activity - "Take Back the Night" - will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Square to honor sexual assault survivors. The program is also about to start a support groups for survivors of sexual assault in Green County.
SARP is located at the Monroe Clinic and has a 24 hour hotline to respond to emergency sexual assault situations which may be reached at (866) 666-4576. Local law enforcement and medical emergency staff invite SARP advocates in cases of sexual assault emergencies with the consent of the victim to provide immediate emotional attention and support for the victim. SARP has dedicated volunteers who are trained in emergency response to sexual assault crisis. SARP staff members state that it would be impossible to run this program without the support of volunteers. If you or a loved one is sexually assaulted and need help, of if you are interested in volunteering for the program, you may reach the SARP Green County at 324-2444. SARP is also a member of Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth Coalition.
For more information about youth related issues in Green County, contact the Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth at (608) 3228-9440.
MONROE - Sexual Assault Recovery Program has been serving victims of sexual assault in Green County since 2003. In the past five years, the program has focused on medical, psychological, legal and financial advocacy for sexual assault victims. By the fall of 2007, the program took a new lead and expanded its service description. The director of SARP, Pennie Meyers, states that the new services of the program are vital for a safer, more peaceful Green County.
"The number of sexual assault victims that we have responded to has doubled in 2007 compared to the 2006 statistics," said Meyers. "Most of the victims that we worked with were minor, female victims, and we decided that we should do something immediately to protect our children and teenagers in Green County from the peril of sexual assault."
The program developed a prevention curriculum immediately and contacted local area schools to start training Green County children and youth about the risks, protective factors, prevention and intervention of sexual assault. So far all the schools that SARP presented in have been very pleased and satisfied with the program's curriculum.
"We tried to use a clear and easily understandable training language that fits with the cognitive and emotional developmental characteristics of adolescents" says Pennie Meyers. "SAR trainers have professional background in working with children and teenagers and that makes a big difference," she continues.
The program is willing to implement the prevention and awareness activities in the community with adult audience through collaborating with local businesses and organizations.
The next awareness activity - "Take Back the Night" - will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, at the Square to honor sexual assault survivors. The program is also about to start a support groups for survivors of sexual assault in Green County.
SARP is located at the Monroe Clinic and has a 24 hour hotline to respond to emergency sexual assault situations which may be reached at (866) 666-4576. Local law enforcement and medical emergency staff invite SARP advocates in cases of sexual assault emergencies with the consent of the victim to provide immediate emotional attention and support for the victim. SARP has dedicated volunteers who are trained in emergency response to sexual assault crisis. SARP staff members state that it would be impossible to run this program without the support of volunteers. If you or a loved one is sexually assaulted and need help, of if you are interested in volunteering for the program, you may reach the SARP Green County at 324-2444. SARP is also a member of Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth Coalition.
For more information about youth related issues in Green County, contact the Green County United Prevention Professionals for Youth at (608) 3228-9440.
