Saving Grace helps ‘Take Back the Night’

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and here on the High Desert, one local organization is looking to shed light on a dark topic.

Saving Grace is an organization that promotes a violence-free lifestyle, and Tuesday night they decided to “Take Back the Night.”

Sexual assault is not easy to talk about, but Saving Grace believes events like Take Back the Night can help toward educating the public.

“I feel like if we can bring some lightheartedness to the topic and start that conversation that the community will be more aware, and in the end it will help us help those that are dealing with sexual assault,” said Lauren Biskind, development director for Saving Grace.

One person trying to become more aware is Brian Vernon. He said he’s been to a couple Take Back the Night events, and learns something new every time.

“It’s a men’s issue,” Vernon said. “I know that most people think it’s a women’s issue, but most of all the abusers are men. So I think it’s just important, especially in a small community, to come out and show support and really make a difference in the community.”

COCC campus representatives also attended the event, including Jim Bennett, the assistant director of public safety.

“Obviously, sexual violence that occurs in the community, college campuses, locations of higher education–is an important issue, and we want to do everything we can to support and deter that from happening,” Bennett said.

Biskind also noted that sexual assault is not “their” issue — it’s our issue.

“It’s a great way for people to stand beside those that are dealing with this and say, ‘We want to help,'” Biskind said. “We’re in this community, we want to know what this is all about, we want to show you that we care and in the end learn more about ways to help prevent this in our community.”

If you’re a sexual assault or domestic violence survivor and are in need of help or healing, Saving Grace has a 24-hour hotline at (541) 389-7021.

Saving Grace also has a confidential shelter for those who need a safe place to stay.

Learn more at: http://www.saving-grace.org/