New statewide coalition formed to help victims of sexual assault, prevent further attacks
By Matt Smith
Original article can be found at Fox59.com.
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 23, 2015) – Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced a new organization Wednesday, aimed at preventing and reducing sexual assaults across Indiana.
“It is clear we have a terrible, awful problem here in Indiana,” State Rep. Christina Hale (D-Indianapolis) said.
The Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking replaces the Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which went bankrupt in 2014, ending in a financial mess.
“I’ll guarantee people this is something we’re going to support because of the critical need in Indiana,” Zoeller said.
The goal of the new organization is to improve Indiana’s response to victims and better train Hoosiers to spot warning signs.
“Campus sexual assaults are a problem affecting colleges and universities everywhere,” Deborah Daniels said, the former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.
The Association of American Universities released a survey Monday, comprised of 27 universities nationwide including Purdue University. The survey found more than 20 percent of female students reported they’ve been sexually assaulted.
“That’s alarming,” Frank Pulice said, the president of the new coalition. “I’m a father of two girls and that can’t continue. So we do want to make a difference.”
At Purdue, the report found 22 percent of female students reported being victims. The response rate to the survey was 13 percent.
The coalition will help direct state resources along with private funds, targeting not only high-crime metro areas, but college campuses and parts of Indiana typically immune to help.
“There’s so many areas in the rural part of the state too that don’t have services,” Pulice said. “But we can help you get them.”
Board members anticipate rolling out new statewide training and long with working to raise the necessary money to leave an impact.
“Sadly we’re the home of Jared Fogle, which has driven a lot of national conversation,” Hale said. “But I think it’s also opened our eyes to the problems we have here in our backyard.”
Board members
-Dr. Jerome Adams, Indiana Department of Health Commissioner
-Myra Borshoff, Borshoff Founder
-Dr. Virginia Caine, Marion County Public Health Department Director
-Michelle Corrao, Prevail Deputy Director
-Kristina Korobov, Assistant U.S. Attorney for Southern District of Indiana
-Abigail Kuzma, Assistant Attorney General
-Gina Miller, United Way of Central Indiana CFO
-Frank Pulice, Pacers Basketball Vice President and General Counsel
-Fanchon Stinger, FOX 59 Anchor
