Take Back the Night with SAFE Project

When it comes to sexual assault this is a crime that targets people from all backgrounds every day and is a crime that targets 17.7 million women in America every year.

According to the Albany County SAFE Project 2010 saw a reported 73 sexual assaults and according to the National Institute of Justice one in four women at college will experience either an attempted or completed rape.

In order to raise awareness and empower victims of sexual assault in Albany County, the SAFE Project will be boosting its educational and outreach efforts during April’s National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

A rally with speakers will also take place which is aimed at helping victims and to boost awareness about the issue at hand. SAFE Project will also be marching through the streets in a bid to highlight areas as safe space, in particular for women. As a popular event Take Back the Night is expected to attract around 150-200 people where refreshments and music will be on hand after the rally.

Sexual assaults have devastating and lasting consequences on the victims and within a society. According to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, victims of sexual assault are four times more likely to think about committing suicide in addition to 26 more times to take drugs.

One in six women and one in 30 men will be sexually assaulted in their life, while one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18. However, while this is one crime that is prevalent within our society, only 10 percent of those targeted actually report the incident to police. A number of reasons are involved in this, including lack of education and shame.

But, it’s not the victim who should be shamed, but the person who tries to over power their victim. Thankfully with frequent rallies on the subject matter and next month increasing people’s awareness of the issue at hand it is hoped that more will be done to prevent men and women from being sexually abused.

One way that they can increase their protection though is with the assistance from pepper spray. Easy to conceal when it is not required and light to hold this makes the perfect self defense device for those who are searching for a way in which to increase their protection.

Not only that, but as the device is safe to use and extremely effective once employed means that the individual employing the device will be able to escape from a situation. While their would-be attacker deals with effects of the spraying device as it quickly gets to work gives you enough time to get help.