April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. The Sexual Assault Program of Beltrami, Cass and Hubbard Counties (SAPBCHC) have organized various activities in hope of teaching awareness throughout the community.

In conjunction with that, SAPBCHC will be hosting a 5K Run/Walk on April 26, Saturday, at the BSU Recreation Center, which will proceed down Birchmont Drive. The purpose of this activity is to raise money for sexual assault awareness and prevention. Additionally the organization is hoping to involve the community to increase the awareness of sexual assault in the Bemidji area.

In an effort to encourage participation of students and the communities, there will be awards given along with many door prizes. There is a fifteen-dollar entry fee, which is a donation to the organization.

As part of the Bemidji community, people should be aware of the social issues that happen around us. Sexual assault happens to many people irreguardless of their sex, race, or age. In Minnesota, “victims can be attractive women or girls; they can also be infants, elderly women or men. Therefore, it is important to remember that everyone can be victim of sexual assault, anyone can be assailant.” 

Based on the information provided by the SAPBCHC website, misperceptions of sexual assault are still prevalent among us. Many people think that most sexual assaults occur between strangers; this is not true. According to the US Department of Justice, 70% of sexual assaults are committed by someone the victim knows such as a friend, co-worker, family member, neighbor or even their spouse. Often the use of alcohol and other drugs becomes part of sexual assault scenarios.

Most importantly, people must know where to look for help and how to help others if sexual assault occurs. There are many services available such as free counseling from SAPBHC as well as the BSU counseling center. SAPBHC also provides a free anonymous hotline 24 hours a day at 800-708-2727. Sexual assault awareness is clearly not limited to the month of April; we should pay attention and stay alert all the time.