Balloons released for sexual assault victims

COLUMBIA BASIN - Blue and white balloons floated Friday above Sinkiuse Square in recognition of sexual assault victims in Grant and Adams counties.

The 108 balloons, which represented people served in 2007 by New Hope Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center, were released following a march down Third Avenue and several speeches.

Grant County Commissioner Cindy Carter read a county commissioners' proclamation naming April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month in the Grant County.

"We urge all individuals and communities to join us in this special observance," Carter said, reading the proclamation.

Other speakers included Sue Severns, who spoke about her daughter's sexual abuse as a child, at the hands of her father. The abuse started when Severns' daughter was around 7 years old, she said.

"No matter who I tried to tell that he was evil, they just thought I was a distraught ex-wife," she said.

At 13 years old her daughter testified against him in court, along with his other victims.

"When she would bring her friends home, she did not know what he was doing to them," Severns said.

She talked about the troubled life her daughter led since the abuse and expressed hope her daughter would someday heal enough to tell her story.

Moses Lake Police Department Detective Juan Loera discussed signs and symptoms of sexual assault, as well as prevention techniques.

"In some of these cases these people are incapable of having a healthy relationship," Loera said.

He noted it is difficult for young victims not to blame themselves for the abuse.

Up to one in four females and one in five men are sexually assaulted by age 18, he said.

Signs include depression, eating disorders, problems in school, withdrawal, anxiety, poor or obsessive hygiene, self-destructive behavior, aggression, hostility, and suicide attempts. They may display sexual behavior or knowledge inappropriate for their age.

He advised parents to be aware of anyone spending time alone with their child. He said parents should talk openly with their children about sexual abuse, and to not overreact to what they say because they may shut down.

"Remember for some kids that laughing is a coping mechanism," he added.

If a child laughs, the abuse may be dismissed as though it never happened, he cautioned.

"Remember, we are a village and all of use have to care," Loera said. "Let no crime go unpunished. Go with your instinct."

Other speakers were Shasta Cummings, a therapist at Grant Mental Healthcare, Dave Matney, an investigator with the Grant County Prosecutor's Office, Oscar Ochoa, a social worker and pastor, Karla Krautscheid, a victim witness coordinator at the Grant County Prosecutor's Office, and Kate Duvall, support unit supervisor at the Division of Children and Family Services.