Rape center to educate kids on sexual assault

An Imperial Valley crisis center credits the “Me Too” movement with helping to break cultural taboos on sexual assault.

The local Sure Helpline Crisis Center said sexual assault is an epidemic nationwide. A majority of victims is children. For this reason, the center is launching an outreach program next month countywide focused on teaching kids to say no to sexual abuse.

Director Margaret Sauza said the recent “Me Too” movement has done a lot to help victims come forward. She said doing so is part of the healing process. She said it helps to stop those responsible from hurting others.

Sauza said a lot of cultural pressure on some groups is changing because of the movement, making it possible for them to talk about their experiences and look for professional help.

“When somebody said, me too, and everybody joined, which at this point there’s over 200 national figures that have come up and said, Me Too, which means rape is happening. Sexual assault is happening in the homes, at workplaces, everywhere. And people are not afraid anymore to come out and talk about it,” Sauza said.

The El Centro Sure Helpline Crisis Center provides confidential, 24/7 help for victims of sexual assault.