Community Forum About Rape and Sexual Assault /Cowes Phillip Island

20th January, 6:30-9:00

Cowes Cultural Centre

(91 - 97 Thompson Ave, Cowes)

Calling all women, men, teens, adults, parents, healthcare professionals, and residents of the Bass Coast Shire.

One in seven girls between 12 and 20 will be the victim of sexual assault or rape. At least 200 women are sexually assaulted every day in Australia.

The topic of how best to protect women from these crimes is often discussed. However, an equally important question is how we can prevent these crimes from occurring and the attitudes behind them developing in the first place.

Come to Cowes and participate in a discussion about sexual assault and rape in Australia, rape statistics, conviction rates, rape culture and what people can do to educate each other about preventing violence against women.

A variety of speakers will tackle the topic, including a counsellor from Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA), a advocate for young women's rights from Wonthaggi, as well as other local health care professionals. The forum will also include small group discussions about the ways in which people in our community can educate about and prevent sexual assault and violence against women from occurring.

Refreshments will be provided.

For more information, call 0439503839 or email rebecca.harrison@live.com.au. For background on the issues surrounding rape and sexual assault see the recent White Ribbon Foundation report "An Assault on our Future". (http://www.whiteribbonday.org.au/media/documents/AssaultonourFutureFinal...)

Note: The alleged rape that recently occurred in Cowes will not be discussed at this forum, as it is currently before the courts.