As part of the national 2019 “I Ask” Campaign the YWCA Northcentral PA joins the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in empowering individuals to practice consent every day. This April, the YWCA will engage the broader community as part of its annual Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) campaign.

This year’s theme, “I Ask” builds on the idea that consent is a healthy, normal, and necessary part of everyday interactions. “I Ask” will champion the power of asking — whether it is asking to hold someone’s hand, for permission to share personal information with others, or if a partner is interested in sex. It will also highlight the importance of listening to and accepting the answer without pressuring someone to change their mind.

“Consent is essential in all healthy relationships,” said Brady Huff, Wise Options Prevention Educator.

Asking permission, accepting the word “no” and respecting boundaries are the basics of what consent looks like. Asking for consent ensures that everyone feels comfortable in a situation.

During Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the YWCA will bring the theme of “I Ask” to life by selling awareness t-shirts that were created by our design winner Tyler Lowmiller from Williamsport Area High School. Shirts can be purchased at http://www.ywcawilliamsport.org for $15. The sale ends on April 12. All proceeds go to support our Wise Options program to support survivors of sexual assault.

The YWCA’s Wise Options program is available to all people who have experienced sexual assault or domestic violence. We offer emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, support groups and prevention education.

We have an amazing partnership with UPMC Susquehanna through their Sexual Assault Forensic Nurse Examiners Team who focus on helping survivors of sexual assault in the emergency rooms at the Williamsport Regional Medical Center and Muncy Valley Hospital. The nurses do physical examinations that include collecting evidence and whatever other treatment is necessary.

If a survivor of sexual assault or domestic violence goes to the emergency room, a nurse will call one of our compassionate advocates who will go to speak to them about the services we provide and be there for emotional support.

We also provide free prevention education and medical advocacy to the community. We have classes on sexual assault, healthy relationships, bullying, dating violence and much more.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault and is in crisis, please call our 24/7 confidential hotline at 1-800-326-8483.

Visit ywcawilliamsport.org for more information about Wise Options and our other life changing programs.