Sexual Assault Awareness Month: How Norristown Has Been Affected

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month, which aims to bring awareness to crimes that have affected many in communities across the country.

According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been observed since April of 2001, and seeks to raise awareness for sexual assault and violence.

According to the NSVRC, one in five women and one in 71 men will be raped at some point in their lives.

So how has sexual violence affected Norristown?

The Norristown Police Department reported 75 cases of forcible rape between 2008 and 2012, according to the data. The worst year was 2010, when there were 23 cases reported.

The Uniform Crime Reporting Statistics, compiled by the U.S. Justice Department, keeps record only of reported forcible rape cases, which is defined as "The carnal knowledge of a female forcibly and against her will. Rapes by force and attempts or assaults to rape, regardless of the age of the victim, are included. Statutory offenses (no force used—victim under age of consent) are excluded," according to the UCR website.

Those who are victims of sexual assault cases can search for support programs through the Jane Doe Inc. website.

Photo Credit: National Sexual Violence Resource Center.