To the editor:

Safety is vital to any community. When the majority of the community feels safe, it’s hard to understand why some people don’t feel safe. However, the local statistics on sexual assault should be enough. One in five students is sexually assaulted in our community according to the 2013 National College Health Assessment survey of Kansas University. This is in line with national statistics and cause for concern.

However, this isn’t a problem specific to KU. According to GaDuGi SafeCenter, people ages 18 to 29 make up just 30 percent of people seeking its services in the past three years. Sexual assault was a problem before the recent heightened media attention, and it will be a problem well after this letter is published. Because of this, community involvement both on and off campus is necessary.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. GaDuGi’ SafeCenter’s theme — “Speak. Listen. Act.” — for April’s events is a call to action. Attending even one event about sexual assault or listening to one person who understands or has survived sexual violence can help combat rape culture. If you don’t think there is a problem, then it is especially important for you to join the conversation. Just because you feel safe, it doesn’t mean a problem doesn’t exist.

SAAM is a chance for our community to address the problem, to brainstorm causes and solutions. Most importantly it is a chance to support and believe survivors by reminding them that they are not alone. A list of event is available at gadugisafecenter.org/SAAM.