LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lake Family Resource Center is recognizing April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Each year, in California and Nationally, April is designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month in Lake County was proclaimed by the Board of Supervisors and Lakeport City Council on April 7 and by the Clearlake City Council on March 26.

Lake Family Resource Center invites community members to take action to stop sexual assault and other forms of abuse before they start.

Lake Family Resource Center will host Denim Day on Wednesday, April 29. You can help by “Breaking the dress code, breaking the silence,” on April 29 by wearing jeans on Denim Day.

The 2015 National Sexual Assault Awareness Month Campaign is centering on college campuses and students.

The goal of Sexual Assault Awareness Month is to increase public awareness about sexual assault and to educate communities and individuals on how to help prevent sexual violence.

Students of today are our hope for tomorrow. It’s important for us as parents, adults and communities to help set young people on the path for a healthy future and support them as they work to create positive change.

This April, it’s time – time to talk about it. Safer campuses make for brighter futures.

Time after time, victims of sexual assault drop out of school, leaving behind dreams and goals. It is time that every victim is respected and informed of the rights they have in order to better protect their well-being and the integrity of their future.

Young people face many challenges during emerging adulthood. Stereotypes and negative messages in the media do not make it any easier.

By learning and talking about healthy sexuality, campuses are able to support students in their lives. It’s time for campuses and communities to be a resource to students as they learn and grow.

How can we support students during this time of change and discovery? Young people need appropriate information about healthy sexuality and relationships from trusted community members.

The first step is to be available to start an open and honest dialogue. Ask questions and most importantly listen. We can all play a role in modeling healthy behaviors, promoting positive skills, and creating safe environments.

It’s important to empower the voices of all and challenge negative, unhealthy messages. To create a vision for a future without sexual violence, every voice can play a role in a healthier, safer tomorrow.

LFRC Rape Crisis Center offers free services, including a 24/7 Community Crisis Line (1-888-485-7733) answered by trained sexual assault advocates.

The Rape Crisis Center also provides individual counseling, support, safety plans, education, hospital accompaniment and law enforcement advocacy for all victims of sexual assault.

For more information on Denim Day and various Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities please contact Gina Pilat at 707-279-0563, Extension 222.

Amber Westphal is a sexual assault advocate with Lake Family Resource Center.