Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission to host panel on sexual assault Tuesday

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission is hosting a virtual panel Tuesday discussing a variety of topics related to sexual assault and its effect on individuals and communities.

the “Healing Communities Experiencing Sexual Violence” panel will begin at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Those WISHING to attend can register at bit.ly/32MhPcI.

Panelists will include Nora Heaton, sexual assault advocate with Riverview Center; Emily Parker, Iowa associate program director with Riverview Center; and Lisa Ambrose, CEO of Amani Community Services.

Stefanie Munsterman-Scriven, executive director of the Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, will moderate the discussion.

Panelists will talk about sexual assault awareness, misconceptions regarding sexual assault, defining advocacy, and available resources and services. Panelists also will address the effect sexual assault has on Black and brown communities, those who are incarcerated, youth and historical trauma.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, according to the news release about the event, a time dedicated to raising public awareness about sexual violence and educating communities on how to prevent it.

On average, there are 433,648 victims of rape and sexual assault of people age 12 or older each year in the United States. Statistics show that one in six boys and one in four girls are sexually abused before age 18.

Additionally, an estimated 80,600 inmates each year experience sexual violence while in prison or jail.

Riverview Center provides no-cost sexual assault services to 14 counties in Eastern Iowa and two counties in Illinois. In Iowa, It has offices in Cedar Rapids, Decorah, Dubuque and Waterloo.

Amani Community Services is a culturally specific domestic violence and sexual assault agency serving African Americans in Black Hawk and Linn counties.

Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com.