April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the theme this year is Talk Early Talk Often.

The Top End Health Service’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) has held a series of events across the Top End during April raising awareness of sexual assault and abuse in our community. The final event, a community awareness expo will be held in Raintree Park Darwin City today.

Prue Boylan, Manager of SARC said Sexual Assault Awareness Month is an opportunity for health professionals to connect with the community and raise awareness of the prevalence of sexual assault and how our service can assist victims and their families.

“Sexual assault is a violation of human rights,” she said.

 “Through raising community awareness and providing useful information and support, we aim to dispel the myths surrounding sexual assault and decrease the shame and stigma felt by victims.

"Today's community awareness expo will provide the public with information on a variety of support services and resources available to victims and their families across the Top End."

The event will run from 10am – 2pm and include stalls and information from the NT Police Child Abuse Taskforce, Territory Families, Ruby Gaea, Family Planning, Welfare NT and Northern Territory Aids & Hepatitis Council.

SARC provides culturally appropriate 24 hour crisis support to victims of sexual assault across the Territory.  For more information please call 8922 6472, or drop into the office at Level 1/ 9 Scaturchio Street, Casuarina.

Media note: Prue Boylan from the Sexual Assault Referral Centre will be available for interview at Raintree Park at 11am.

Media Contact: Rickie Abraham 0419 818 414