Release from West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services:
Fairmont, W.Va. — Virtual Press Conference via Zoom on March 4. 2021 at 12pm. (see access information below). State and local press are cordially invited to attend a virtual press conference to highlight the 2021 Sexual Violence Awareness Day at the Legislature.
In West Virginia, 1 in 6 women and 1 in 21 men will be victims of an attempted or completed sexual assault in their lifetimes (WVDHHR, BRFSS, 2008). In addition to the human cost, the criminal justice system cost of not preventing sexual violence is high. More inmates are incarcerated in WV prison facilities for forcible rape than for any other crime, costing the state over $42 million in 2019 for sex-related offenses.
Sexual Violence Awareness Day is intended to bring attention to the issues of sexual violence in West Virginia and the need for sustained services and support to serve those who have experienced sexual violence. This year, several legislative bills have been introduced to address this public health issue, including SB495, which creates the crime of sexual extortion.
This event is hosted by the West Virginia Foundation for Rape Information and Services (WVFRIS), the state sexual assault coalition. WVFRIS is the network of the state’s 12 rape crisis centers and other allied professionals, working to develop and strengthen intervention and prevention programs that address sexual violence. WVFRIS also addresses the issues of stalking, human trafficking and dating violence and supports state and local efforts to respond to and eliminate these forms of violence.
For more information, please visit www.fris.org.
Press Conference Logistics for noon on Thursday, March 4th (please join by 11:50a.m.):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88614479291?pwd=bWZRU3ZaVVRuaHdXMkxha21ja1Zpdz09
Meeting ID: 886 1447 9291
Passcode: 845645
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+13126266799,,88614479291#,,,,*845645# US (Chicago)
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