April has been designated as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in S.C. and nationally. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence (focusing on sexual assault and rape) and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence.

The theme of this year's Awareness Month is "Step Forward, Take a Stand Against Rape." Statistics have shown that one in four women will be sexually assaulted before they are age 18 and that one in six men will be sexually assaulted.

Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM) is a private, non- profit, 501 c(3) organization which first began serving victims of sexual assault in 1983 as the Rape Crisis Network. One of 16 rape crisis centers in South Carolina, STSM's mission is to provide services to sexual trauma survivors and education about sexual trauma issues.

Volunteers have been the heart of the program and provide crisis intervention 24- 7 to sexual assault survivors 365 days a year. The volunteers also include a board of directors. The time of the volunteers along with in- kind donations from community partners allows the agency to continue its vital work.

Visit www.stsm.org or call 790-8208. For 24- hour crisis assistance call 803-771-RAPE (7273) or 1-800-491-RAPE.