Sexual violence issues discussed at Stoddard County Commission

BLOOMFIELD — Directors from the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence presented staggering sexual violence statistics Monday to the Stoddard County Commissioners.

SEMO-NASV Executive Director Kendra Eads said, “We provide forensic interviews and exams, advocacy and counseling to children that have been physically or sexually abused and adults that have been sexually assaulted.”

SEMO-NASV is the only dual Child Advocacy Center and Rape Crisis Center in Southeast Missouri. They serve the following counties: Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, New Madrid, Pemiscot, Perry, Scott and Stoddard.

Eads said, “Our services are free to all ages.”

“We see about 600 cases a year and 85 to 90% are children 18 and under,” said Eads.

It was learned 54 forensic interviews and exams were performed in Stoddard County last year.

SEMO-NASV Development Director Alix Gasser said, “Every 68 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted, and every nine minutes that person is a child.”

Gasser continued, “Sexual assault is the number 1 unreported crime in the United States.”

Gasser said, “We visit local schools to educate children about dangers, warning signs, and prevention of child abuse through our Green Bear Project.”

The Green Bear Project has many programs available for concerned adults, professionals, and children pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. The program defines body safety in an appropriate manner. Prevention efforts such as secrets vs. surprises, preventing abduction situations, online and outside safety are discussed. Children learn about disclosure to adults for help at home, in their school or in the community.

SEMO-NASV offers S.A.F.E Guide for Growing Up/Healthy Relationships for sixth through eighth graders and S.A.F.E. Guide to Dating/Surviving the Dating Game for ninth through 12th grades.