April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. According to RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, every 73 seconds, an American is sexually assaulted. And every 9 minutes, that victim is a child.
The Casper Police Department is dedicated to raising awareness for and ending sexual violence in #ourcommunity. In 2017, all CPD staff members took the #StartByBelieving pledge which means when a victim reports a sexual assault, investigations begin by believing the victim.
As we work every day to better serve, protect, and ultimately bring justice to victims of sexual assault in Casper, during the month of April, we work especially diligently on public outreach and awareness.
In 2021, we are excited to partner with the Missoula’s Intervention in Action Project to bring the Make Your Move program to Casper. The program begins with a community-wide survey to hear real experiences from locals in regard to sexual violence culture, specifically in local bars, clubs, and restaurants. Using that data, the Casper Police Department Victims Services Unit will provide FREE bystander intervention training to employees at bars, clubs, and restaurants within Casper.
Click here to take our community member survey.
Bystander intervention promotes safe and positive ways everyday people can prevent or intervene when there is a risk for sexual violence. This includes calling attention to situations that could lead to violence before it happens, stepping in during an incident, and speaking out against ideas and behaviors that support violence.
Staff at alcohol-serving establishments are trained to stop sexual harassment.
Cultivating a bar culture that promotes positive and healthy interactions helps reduce risk of sexual violence perpetration. By refining intervention skills, staff can confidently intervene and ensure their patrons are safe.
Participating establishments will then be given the opportunity to take the pledge to end sexual violence in our community and be listed on the Casper Police Department website as an establishment working against sexual violence.
To register your establishment for bystander intervention training, please e-mail lfritzler@casperwy.gov.
As of June 23rd, 2021 there have been four (4) establishments in Casper register for bystander intervention training and take the pledge against sexual violence.
Establishments that have signed up for training:
- The Office Bar and Grill
- Vintage Fine Wine and Martini Bar
- The Keg and Cork
- Galloway’s
- Backwards Distillery
Establishments that have completed training:
- The Office Bar and Grill
- The Keg and Cork
- Backwards Distillery