Rape Crisis Intervention Service has served Carroll County since 1978 with the mission to support and advocate for victims of sexual violence, as well as to prevent future violence in our community.
Part of our Prevention Education effort includes promoting awareness and educating young people. This past school year was the first year since 2011 Rape Crisis has had a presence in Carroll County Public Schools, through the generous funding of the Carroll County commissioners. As the community educator for Rape Crisis, I spoke across our county in health classes comprised of students in the seventh grade and above. I had the privilege of talking to 3,571 students in Carroll County. I took this as a great opportunity to instill important and useful information to our young people — the people who have the power to change our culture and continue to create a better and safer environment for generations to come.
During the past year, I presented on various topics, depending on the age and grade level I was working with. For seventh grade, we talked about sexual harassment and in eighth grade, the importance of boundaries and dating violence. In high school, students were given an overview on sexual violence and dating violence. During this experience, I was able to meet many amazing teachers, counselors and administrators that advocate for and inspire students. I met students who were intelligent and passionate. I also met students who needed to hear that sexual violence was not the victim's fault and that they were not alone. I heard stories of trauma that several students bravely shared with me, students who cried and students who thanked me. Overall, this year was an eye-opening and inspiring experience.
In 2014, the Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey, published by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, uncovered that 2,761 students in Carroll County had already experienced rape in their lifetime. Of those 2,761 students, 53 percent of them were 15 years old or younger. It also revealed that 1,594 students had experienced sexual abuse within a dating relationship.
The saddening realization that so many of our young people have been impacted by sexual violence became incredibly real to me as I looked at the faces of so many students staring back at me. These young minds can stand up to stop the silent epidemic of sexual assault that happens even here in our community, when they are given the education and tools to evoke change. Those who have been hurt by sexual violence could be empowered and begin or continue their healing process. For that reason, I am grateful to this community that understands and appreciates the need for this discussion.
If you or anyone you know has experienced sexual violence, please know that Rape Crisis Intervention Service is a free and confidential service for anyone 12 years or older. We can provide free counseling or crisis intervention. You may call our 24-hour hotline at 410-857-7322 for help. Together we can continue to make a positive impact on our community.
Rachel Hughes is the community educator for Rape Crisis Intervention Service.