Guys with Ties, Girls with Pearls take stand against sexual assault

Community leaders taking a stand against sexual assault through the Guys with Ties campaign throughout April are (from left) Jim Ensley of the Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office, Greencastle High School Principal Russ Hesler, Deer Meadow Primary School Principal Mike McHugh, Putnam County Prosecutor Tim Bookwalter, Justin Long and David Meadows of the Prosecutor’s Office, Michael Clampitt of North Salem State Bank, Greencastle Mayor Bill Dory, Dean Gambill of the Putnam County Community Foundation, Terry Tippin of North Putnam Community Schools, Jared Jernagan of the Banner Graphic, Sheriff Scott Stockton and North Putnam High School Principal Jason Chew.

Photo by KAREN MARTOGLIO

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which means the return of Guys with Ties and Girls with Pearls.

For this unique campaign, Putnam County Family Support Services invites local leaders to wear a teal tie or a pearl necklace in April to promote awareness of sexual assault.

This year’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month theme is Engaging New Voices.

Community leaders taking a stand against sexual assault through the Girls with Pearls campaign throughout April are (from left) South Putnam High School and Middle School nurse Marcy Young; Denise Meyer of Greencastle High School; Sarah Cofer, Rachel Jern, Daphne Rutenberg and Elizabeth Butts of Family Support Services; Karen Martoglio of Mental Health America; Lyn Smith of Beyond Homeless; Linda Merkel of PCYDC; Cari Cox of Family Support Services; Patti Harmless and Allison Creekmore of CASA; and Jennifer Finnerty of Greencastle High School.

Banner Graphic/JARED JERNAGAN

The National Sexual Violence Resource Center has developed tools to help different groups of people (New Voices) come together to prevent sexual violence. More information is available at their website: http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/learn-more.

• Sororities and fraternities can sponsor events to promote consent, healthy relationships and bystander intervention.

• Parents of young children can demonstrate healthy personal boundaries and provide age-appropriate information to their kids. Parents of teenagers can talk openly about healthy relationships and consent.

• Coaches can confront harmful behaviors (like derogatory or violent jokes) and teach team members to stand up to inappropriate comments.

• Faith leaders can support survivors of sexual assault while promoting healthy relationships and boundaries within their congregation.

• Community members can speak out against victim-blaming and promote Sexual Assault Awareness Month with the hashtag #SAAM.

* Everyone can support survivors of sexual assault by listening to them, believing them, being there for them and knowing where they can get help — Family Support Services at 765-653-4820 or the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673).

Sexual violence such as rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment affects one in two women and one in five men in the United States.

The good news is that everyone can help prevent it. Use the ideas above and take a stand against sexual violence.