Victim advocates in Montgomery County hold rally recognizing Sexual Assault Awareness Month

NORRISTOWN — Holding signs that blared “RESPECT BOUNDARIES,” EMBRACE YOUR VOICE” and “BELIEVE SURVIVORS,” victim advocates gathered at a rally to raise awareness about sexual assault and abuse and to foster an environment that supports survivors.

“Let us continue to foster an environment where survivors feel heard, respected and empowered. And by doing so we will create a safer, more equitable society for all,” Kristen Gibbons Feden, a former prosecutor who is currently board president of the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County, said during a rally at the county courthouse on Monday.

Dubbed the “Start by Believing Rally,” the event was held in recognition of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

Feden maintained statistics indicate that the “alarming reality” is that every 73 seconds someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted and only 5 out of every 1,000 perpetrators ends up in prison.

“As a former sex crimes prosecutor in Montgomery County I have experienced firsthand the challenges faced by survivors of sexual assault and the importance of believing their stories,” Feden said.

Feden joined the district attorney’s office in June 2012 and served as a prosecutor on various units including the sex crimes unit and was captain of the domestic violence unit before she left in 2017 to join a Philadelphia law firm.

“It is through the empathy and support that we extend to survivors that we encourage others to step forward and empower them in their healing process. It is crucial for us to provide support and actively work toward change. By educating ourselves and our youth about consent, about communication and respect we can challenge toxic norms and lay the groundwork for a safer future,” added Feden, a partner at the law firm Saltz Mongeluzzi  & Bendesky where she is a litigator in the field of sexual abuse and civil rights.

During April, the courthouse in Norristown will be illuminated in teal, the ribbon color that symbolizes Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“This powerful visual serves as a beacon of hope and solidarity, emphasizing our collective responsibility to raise awareness and create a safer community for everyone,” Feden said.

Victim Services Center of Montgomery County provides advocacy and counseling for individuals affected by sexual violence and other crimes and promotes awareness in the community through education.

Erin Milbourne, direct services supervisor for the victim services center, said during the last two years, more than 2,500 sexual abuse or assault survivors countywide sought services from the organization.

Victim services representatives accompany victims to hospital examinations and court hearings and assist victims in filing for protection from abuse orders. The organization’s family therapy program provides intensive psychotherapy treatment for child survivors, ages 5 to 17, of child abuse and their non-offending parents or caregivers and their siblings.

During the last year, the organization has assisted more than 1,000 people through its 24-hour hotline, according to Feden.

During her remarks, State Sen. Katie Muth, who serves the 44th District that covers parts of Montgomery, Berks and Chester counties, called for the bipartisan passage of legislation that would open a window to justice for people sexually abused as children to file civil claims against those responsible. The legislation to temporarily waive the statute of limitations for sex abuse crimes is currently before the Senate.

“I’m proud to stand here today to kick off this month but also sad that we even have to talk about this,” said Muth, adding it is often difficult for survivors to tell their stories. “Sometimes when you are able to have that courage you inspire someone else to have the same courage to talk about what happened to them. The people that work at victim services really impact lives by bringing people out of those really dark times as a survivor and it’s a lifelong journey.”

Suzanne V. Estrella, a victims’ right lawyer and victim advocate with the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate, said “prevention is possible.”

“To all the survivors of sexual assault, abuse and harassment, please know that as advocates we want to see and hear you clearly. We want to create empowering spaces that positively impact your healing journeys. We want to be aware, connected and equitable so that what happened to you never happens to anyone else,” Estrella addressed those who attended the rally.

Jessica Carson, education supervisor for the Victim Services Center, read a state Senate proclamation declaring April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

“Let’s believe in each other and our collective power to create a world free from violence. We can respect boundaries, we can ask for consent and we can believe in survivors together,” Carson said.

Additional information about the Victim Services Center of Montgomery County can be found at www.victimservicescenter.org