Gilroy
– To draw attention to a violent crime, Community Solutions is
holding a decidedly nonviolent event: a candlelight vigil to
literally shed light on sexual assault, in honor of National Sexual
Assault Awareness Month.
Gilroy – To draw attention to a violent crime, Community Solutions is holding a decidedly nonviolent event: a candlelight vigil to literally shed light on sexual assault, in honor of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
The nonprofit has noted an increase in sexual violence in South County in the past few weeks, said Perla Flores, who directs the nonprofit’s Solutions to Violence department.
“But regardless of whether we have one assault a month or 10,” she said, “one is too many.”
Tonight’s event will be held at 6pm at It’s a Grind, a Gilroy coffeeshop located at 890 Renz Lane. Coffeeshop co-owner Todd Daugherty, a registered nurse, said he’s familiar with the issue, and was happy to offer his storefront to the cause.
“People need to be made more aware of it,” said Daugherty. “Some people still don’t even know what a sexual assault is.”
Community Solutions staff will share statistics about sexual assault, common myths, and anonymous stories about crimes. Flores said the group opted to hold a vigil because of its intimacy.
“In a small community, it’s important to keep it grassroots,” she said. “It’s an effort to help people unlearn stereotypes about sexual assault, stereotypes that blame the victim.”
A second vigil will be held April 30 at the Buzz Stop, 17400 Monterey Road, in Morgan Hill. No RSVP is required.
