31 Mar District Attorney Matt Ballard Joins Statewide Anti-Sexual Assault Kick-off Event
District Attorney Matt Ballard, 12th District, makes Start by Believing Proclamation on behalf of the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association
Sexual assault survivors, law enforcement, advocates, legislators and prosecutors all gathered at the Oklahoma Capitol in Oklahoma City this morning to kick-off the statewide “Start by Believing” campaign.
District Attorney Matt Ballard, District 12, made the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association’s “Start by Believing” proclamation.
A team from Ballard’s office attended the event held in the Blue Room beginning at 9:30am. All taking the pledge if someone discloses a sexual assault to always Start by Believing.
DA Investigators Wayne Stinnett and Gary Stansill, State Senator Rick Brinkley, District Attorney Matt Ballard, 1st Assistant DA Brian Surber
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month.
Research shows if a person discloses a sexual assault and the first reaction he or she receives is negative the likelihood the victim will seek professional help or report to police plummets. Terrifying given, on average, a rapist will attack six people. So every attack that goes unreported could well mean five more rapes: A victory for the perpetrator.
Ballard now invites other Oklahomans to take up the campaign, pledge and post to support survivors in the community and help make it a safer place going forward.
“Start by Believing” statewide kickoff
Oklahoma State Capitol
The kick-off at the Capitol was the result of partnerships including the organizations: Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, Oklahoma Regional Community Policing Institute,Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and Native Alliance Against Violence
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