RENTON, Wash. — About 5,000 survivors of sexual assault and their families are helped annually by the King County Sexual Assault Resource Center (KCSARC). Almost half of the 5,000 individuals helped are children under 18.
KCSARC is based in Renton. The center's staff said that those stats might surprise community members.
"Our nonprofit has been around since 1976, and we help survivors of sexual assault and their families with advocacy, crisis support, information and therapy," said Kate Krug, the CEO of KCSARC. "Our 24-hour Resource Line is always available as a starting point for help or information."
That number is 888-99-VOICE - 888-998-6423. All KCSARC advocacy services are free and confidential.
Krug said it's important for people to understand the definition of sexual assault.
"We define sexual assault as any unwanted or illegal sexual contact or behavior," Krug said. "That includes everything from rape to child sexual abuse, groping or other unwanted behaviors."
The organization works on sexual assault prevention in addition to helping survivors.
"Our prevention educators are in schools, working with middle and high school students, staff and parents, helping them incorporate concepts like consent and boundaries into their everyday lives," Krug said. "Those are conversations most of us adults never had as young people, and really, that education and outreach is aiming at changing norms and attitudes that allow sexual assault to be so common."
Sexual assault impacts children, women and men, of all backgrounds and self-identifications. Krug said there are many ways to help KCSARC help those community members.
The organization's biggest annual event - BE LOUD Breakfast - is set for March 13 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle.
"That event brings together hundreds for a morning celebration of resilience, empowerment and hope," Krug said.
It's the 35th year for the fundraiser and awareness event. Attendees can meet survivors and allies as KCSARC aims to have people raise their voices against sexual assault and abuse. KING 5's Farah Jadran will emcee the BE LOUD Breakfast for the first time this year.
"Together, we can create a world free of sexual violence," Krug said.
For more KCSARC resources, click here. For BE LOUD ticket information, click here.